Allen Hinds: The Soulful Voice of Contemporary Jazz Guitar
Allen Hinds is an American guitarist and composer celebrated for his melodic, soul-infused playing within the contemporary jazz and fusion genres. Hailing from Alabama, his career is defined by his work as a first-call session musician and solo artist, with his albums like Monkey Farm and Falling Up receiving critical acclaim from the instrumental music community.
Early career
Born in 1956 in Montgomery, Alabama, Allen Hinds began his musical journey on trumpet before switching to guitar in his teens. After studying at the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, he quickly integrated into the city's competitive session scene, lending his versatile tone to television, film, and commercial work throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Breakthrough
Hinds' emergence as a recognized solo artist came with the release of his debut album, Monkey Farm, in 2000. This instrumental record, released on his own label, showcased his signature blend of jazz harmony, blues feeling, and rock energy, establishing him as a distinctive voice in the guitar community beyond his session work.
Key tracks
Monkey Farm — The title track from his debut album announced his arrival as a solo artist with its funky grooves and lyrical guitar lines.
Falling Up — This composition from his 2004 album of the same name highlights his gift for crafting memorable, song-like melodies on the instrument.
Road Trip — A driving, energetic track that exemplifies his ability to fuse jazz sophistication with a rock guitarist's attack and rhythmic drive.
Southern Hospitality — This piece nods to his Alabama roots, blending bluesy phrasing with sophisticated chordal movements.
His subsequent albums, including Falling Up (2004) and Broken Heart (2012), further refined his approach. Allen Hinds has built a prolific career collaborating with a diverse array of artists such as Bobby Caldwell, Gino Vannelli, and Judith Hill, while also maintaining a respected presence as an educator.
Fans of the melodic, soulful guitar work of Mike Stern will appreciate the shared harmonic adventurousness. The blues-inflected jazz phrasing of Robben Ford finds a parallel in Hinds' playing. Listeners who enjoy the compositional focus of Lee Ritenour will connect with Hinds' song-based instrumentals.
Allen Hinds' music is a staple on specialized jazz fusion and contemporary instrumental radio stations. His tracks are regularly featured in the playlists of online jazz radio streams and independent music stations that champion skilled musicianship and melodic guitar artistry.
The music of Allen Hinds can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his soulful jazz guitar work by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.
