Album Notes

Known as tenor sax legend Von Freeman's guitarist for many years, Mike Allemana is one of the most respected musicians in Chicago and for good reason. At 36 years of age he has developed a mastery of the guitar that has endeared him to some of the finest players and singers in jazz. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Mike became interested in jazz at age 12 after hearing George Benson. In high school he decided to pursue music and enrolled at Northern Illinois University. After graduating in 1991 and spending two years playing in Cincinnati, Ohio, he returned to Chicago where he has become an important guitarist on the jazz scene.

Soon after returning to Chicago, Mike began to make music with some of the most renowned local artists . His credits include playing for many years with organ great Charles Earland, and legendary tenor saxophonists Ron Dewar, Lin Halliday, and most notably the amazing Von Freeman. Mike can be heard on Von Freeman's 2002 release "The Improvisor" on Premonition Records. He has also made appearances with organ master Lonnie Smith, recorded with singer Bobby Caldwell, and released his own CD on the TuConn label, "The Mike Allemana Organ Trio," with Dan Trudell on organ and Mike Schlick on drums, which received three and a half stars from Down Beat magazine (April 2001). Mike can also be heard with the Model Citizens, a local big band lead by pianist/composer Brian O'hern where Mike is a featured soloist and arranger.

Mike's current group includes drummer Ted Sirota, saxophonist Geof Bradfield, and, on bass, Matt Ferguson, who is also in Von Freeman's quartet. The group has been together for over 2 years, concentrating on original music by Mike and Geof. Their music is based on odd-time signatures, with a lot of influence from Steve Coleman, and some free concepts, loosely based on the music of Ornette Coleman (no relation).


"...an outstanding player with a bright future of his own."
-The Chicago Reader

"(Von Freeman's) band gets its distinctive tang from another well-kept secret, guitarist Michael Allemana, whose fleet, Kansas City blues-inflected playing and sleek chords make bebop picking sound new again."
-Kevin Whitehead

"...wonderful..."
-John Corbett, Down Beat Magazine

"Allemana..takes obvious pleasure in drawing us into his focused, usually self-assured playing. 3 stars."
-Down Beat Magazine review of "The Mike Allemana Organ Trio" CD, April 2001

"...hands off to Mike Allemana. His lines are swift: as fluid as Tal Farlow, he gives each note a good hard snap."
-JazzUSA.com