An emerging maven in Detroit’s rich jazz tradition, Allen Dennard brings years of experience ahead of his time producing his equally bold and smooth sound full of intensity and heightened awareness.

In October 2018 Allen had the opportunity to work with famous R&B artist Ray J, being a member of the pit orchestra in a play that Ray J was in. In the same year Allen was chosen to be in the horn section for the MC5 reunion in Detroit, sharing the stage with musical icons such as Wayne Kramer. Allen went on to record on one of Alice Copper’s latest albums in 2019 called “Breadcrumbs”. He has also traveled with world renown R&B singer K’Jon in the same year, who is also born and raised in Detroit, MI.

Allen has worked with several artist from the Detroit Music Factory label, such as Gayelynn Mckinney, De’Sean Jones and Sean Dobbins. He has also worked with Detroit saxophonist David McMurray from the Blue Note record label. Adding to that, Allen also had the opportunity to share the stage with New York based saxophonist J.D Allen, who is with HighNote Records. Allen has made five appearances as a sideman in the Detroit Jazz Festival: Wendell Harrison (2015), Detroit bassist Ali Bey (2017), the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Alumini Band (2019), David McMurray (2020), and the Keyon Harold Big Band (2021). In 2022 Dennard was chosen to be a headliner at the Detroit Jazz Festival, showcasing his group “The Allen Dennard Quintet”.

Dennard has released two recorded projects as a band leader in his musical career thus-far, one being his debut project “Stepping In” which was released in 2018, and the other being his debut album “Flashback” which was released in 2022 and nominated for a Detroit Music Award in 2023. In that same year Dennard had the privilege to share the stage and play behind hip hop legends such as Phat Kat, Elzi, Jessica Care Moore, and Dwele. He also was able to share the band stand with Jazz at Lincoln Center saxophonist Walter Blanding. Allen was rewarded with a Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award from the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan for “Best Spirit” that same year. In 2024 Allen became an artist for the AEA Ribbon Mics company. As of 2025 Dennard has also become an artist of the musical instrument company “Cannonball Music.” In the same year Dennard released his latest project “Black Valley” on the Motor City Wine record label, which is receiving international recognition. In 2025 he was also chosen to be an ambassador for Detroit, touring Japan with the Detroit Jazz Festival Generations All-Star Group.”