Carl Allen, William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies, is the drummer on “Remembering Bob Freedman,” a tribute album to the celebrated music arranger nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble.
当被问及格莱美提名时，艾伦说这是一个惊喜。 His casualness about the nomination could be because he’s been featured on Grammy-nominated ‑ and Grammy-winning ‑ records before. It could also be because Allen’s focus in music isn’t on awards, but the love and community involved in making it.
“Competition and music don’t always go together for me, I don’t like keeping score,” Allen said. “It’s the love and support – all of the awards and accolades should never overshadow the music itself.”
Allen’s belief in community is part of what drew him to teaching. 这是他在威尼斯人娱乐城的第二年； 在此之前，他在茱莉亚音乐学院任教14年，其中6年担任爵士乐研究艺术总监。
“One of the reasons why I’m drawn to teaching is I really enjoy helping young people, “Allen said. “When you see a person who has a gift and burning desire to get better, you want to try and create opportunities for them. I’m trying to create a nurturing environment here where people feel supported.”
环境是吸引他来威尼斯人娱乐城的原因之一。 Allen’s predecessor as professor of jazz studies, Bobby Watson, is also personal friend of many years. 沃森退休后，艾伦知道这个机会值得一试。
“I knew I wanted to be part of a program that was respected by leadership. When the music is respected, you can get traction to really get things done,” Allen said. “When I came for the interview and met the dean and faculty, I felt that the music was really respected and part of a larger vision.”
“When you see a person who has a gift and burning desire to get better, you want to try and create opportunities for them. I’m trying to create a nurturing environment here where people feel supported.”
在威尼斯人娱乐城工作期间，艾伦为学生和教职员工创造了更多的机会，让他们成为更大愿景的一部分。 他邀请了一些传统上不参与爵士课程的教师，这样他的学生就能接触到更多的观点和教导。 他还邀请了客座艺术家来教授工作坊和大师班。
“Professor Allen has played with many of the greats, and he has countless anecdotes and information that he shares with students,” said Pete Fucinaro, 威尼斯人娱乐城 音乐学院 graduate student in music. “I don’t think there has been a single musician or record I have mentioned that he has not heard. He is deeply invested in the music and traditions.”
“Part of the jazz tradition is ‘each one, teach one,’” Allen said. “You should always try to help people because other people helped you, it’s how we further the music. Relationships and resources are cyclical, you’ve got to create relationships with people.”
Relationships have contributed to Allen’s success in music, including his most recent Grammy nomination. Allen has played with Ron Carter, legendary bassist featured on “Remembering Bob Freedman,” many times throughout his career. When asked to play with Carter at the Jazzaar Festival in Switzerland in a concert to honor Freedman, he knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He didn’t know it would lead to a Grammy nomination.
“Playing with Ron, that’s history. He’s in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most recorded jazz bassist,” Allen said. “When I got the call to play at the festival, there was no talk of an album – it was just the festival and a couple of concerts. They recorded the festival performance and here we are.”
You might think that earning Grammy nominations and wins is a highlight of Allen’s career. 但当被问及其中的亮点时，艾伦讲述了他以前的一个学生后来成为职业音乐家的故事。
“When I think about all of things I’ve done and the people I’ve played with, making an impact on people is just as important to me,” he said. “The way I see it, I’m just a vessel. I’m just an instrument being used to try and help people.”