In the 1960s, he played organ trio gigs in Los Angeles and did session work with singers and guitarists such as Jerry McGee and Rick Vito.

Allen moved to New Orleans in the 1980s, where he played and recorded with a number of blues and cajun performers including Ernie K-Doe, King Floyd, Freddy Fender, Marcia Ball.

As a boy, Allen listened to performers such as Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters.

The group played nightclubs all around the Midwestern states, and accompanied Jimmy Clanton in Milwaukee and Johnny "Guitar" Watson in California.

The group played the "off nights" in the jazz clubs that booked Jimmy Smith, "Groove" Holmes, Shirley Scott and Baby Face Willette.

Allen contributed to many albums at Sea Saint, including recordings by slide guitar bluesman Brint Anderson, Freddy Fender, Marcia Ball and Robert "Barefootin" Parker.

In 2000, Allen was nominated for a Grammy Award with The Dukes of Dixieland and drummer Richard Taylor, for the album Gloryland.