After moving to New York City, Allen played with George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster, Butch Morris, David Murray, and Wallace Roney.
Closer to his generation, he has played with Lucian Ban, Cindy Blackman, Gerald Cleaver, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubanks, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gunn, Winard Harper, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeremy Pelt, Eric Revis.
[2] Allen's first solo album, In Search Of (Red Records, 1999), led to his selection as Best New Artist in Italy.
Ten years later he was named best composer and best tenor saxophonist in the Critics' Poll at DownBeat magazine.
With Cindy Blackman With Orrin Evans With Winard Harper With Lisa Hilton With Fabio Morgera With Jeremy Pelt With Tarbaby With others