(Bio from his Myspace)

Allen Hoist is a prodigal man, born in New-York. After studying music at the very select "High School Of Performing Arts" (the school from the movie "Fame"), the gifted vocalist & multi-instrumentist (saxophone, flute, cello) took his first steps on stage with such Soul, Jazz & Latin legends as Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillepsie, Millie Jackson, Solomon Burke, Sam & Dave, Ron Carter… and Mongo Santamaria who'll bring Allen Hoist on his first European tour. This tour becomes the start point of a serious love affair between Allen Hoist and Paris...

Establishing himself successfully in France, he offers his talent to many bands for numerous live and studio sessions around the world. He then puts together a quintet that includes some of the best parisian players in Jazz & World Music: Mario Canonge, Lynley Marth, Orlando Poleo, Jeff Boudreaux… He puts out a classical jazz album in 2000: "Just before Spring".

Then he started working on a futuristic and ambitious project with the label Soulab. Today, as a composer, arranger, performer, he works hard to keep soul music alive, collaborating with solid producers from London, Paris & Scandinavia: 4 Hero, Kaidi Tatham from Bugz in the Attic, Greg Gauthier, Franck Roger.... And he's backed by great live Jazz instrumentalists such as pianist Mario Canonge, bassists Linley Marth and Maurice Zemmour, trumpetist Ron Meza...Allen Hoist is, of course, on lead & backing vocals, flute, saxophone.

The mix of these great talents creates a brilliant combination of acoustic and electronic sounds, that covers the great Black Music full spectrum : Soul, House, Jazz, Broken Beat, Doo Wop, Nu Soul, Afro Beat, Latin, Funk…

The album is entitled "Soul Renaissance" and give a real breath of fresh air unto the soul nation. Allen Hoist's music spreads innovative grooves, authenticity & happiness. It's simply modern soul music... with soul !


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