Allen Carter has a diverse background as a composer, arranger, drummer, percussionist and educator. Born and raised in Ellinwood, Kansas, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Kansas State University, and his Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. Throughout his school years, he won numerous awards in the areas of performance and composition/arranging. A member of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers and the Film Music Network, Dr. Carter’s work as a composer/arranger includes CBS Television’s Motown Records specials, the cable television series Humonos, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Miss America pageant, commercials, and documentaries for the department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In addition, he has written extensively for instrumental and vocal jazz groups at all levels. He has recently recorded “Gifts”, a CD of his compositions and arrangements for big band featuring an ensemble of the top studio musicians in Los Angeles. As a drummer/percussionist (he began performing with local groups at age 11), Dr. Carter has performed with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, Les Brown’s Band of Renown, the Los Angeles Jazz Workshop and numerous other Los Angeles area big bands. He has worked with such vocalists as Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Ray Charles, Melissa Manchester, Harry Connick Jr., and Glen Campbell and has been involved in numerous recording sessions for records, films, and commercials. Appearances as featured artist have taken Dr. Carter across the United States as well as to concert stages and jazz clubs in many foreign countries. At the current time, Allen serves as Associate Professor of Music at Minnesota State University Moorhead where he teaches freshman music theory, drum set, and courses in the jazz studies and music industry programs while being an active member of a busy jazz scene in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He has lectured internationally to educators and students on a wide range of jazz education and percussion topics. Performing groups under his direction have been awarded recognition at the national level and he has directed numerous honor groups for educator associations throughout the western United States. Along with his ongoing work teaching, writing and playing, Dr. Carter heads his own company that develops interactive CD-ROM teaching tools for use by jazz educators and their students.
