Dave Allen (42)

Stompin' Dave Allen is an American roots musician based in Bridport, Dorset, UK. Dave performs bluegrass, blues, country, folk, rock n roll, old-time, etc. He sings and plays guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, piano and tap dances in an old-time flatfooting style often whilst playing an instrument and singing. Described by Maverick Magazine as "one of the world's greatest performers." Stompin' Dave is a vocalist, multi instrumentalist and tap dancer. With twenty five years of performing experience this Dorset based musician has worked exclusively as a musician since 2000. A former member of former UK blues band of the year The Producers, Stompin' Dave was nominated for a British Blues Award in the acoustic act category 2014. Winner of the FOAOTMAD old-time banjo competition 2011 and 2013." Dave's repertoire includes songs and instrumental music ranging from traditional to vintage covers and originals. With twenty five years of performing experience Dave has performed across the UK and beyond from street entertaining to major festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Camp Bestival, Bestival, etc. He has also appeared at many specialist roots music festivals Gainsborough Old-time Music & Dance Festival, The Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Ealing Blues Festival, Upton Blues Festival, Maverick Festival and The Rhythm Riot rock n roll festival are just some examples. This year Dave has been invited to perform an unprecedented seventh year in a row at Monica Madgwick’s Boogaloo Blues Festival on the Isle Of Wight. Monica recipient of a Blues Matters Lifetime achievement award describes Dave as “not just a superb multi-instrumentalist but a great entertainer and raconteur. Dave is a master of guitar, banjo, violin, harmonica and keyboards as well as being a singer and flat-foot dancer! If you haven’t seen Dave before make sure you catch this – you will not be disappointed.” Dave has also stomped onto the line-up of some top folk festivals including Cork Folk Festival, Warwick Folk Festival, Towersey Folk Festival, Priddy Folk Festival and many other festivals, and clubs. The last few years Dave has begun regularly performing concerts in art centres and theatres sometimes alongside touring musicians from the USA including the legendary Whitetop Mountain Band from Virginia, W.C. Handy award winner Guy Davis, and International Bluegrass Achievement award winner Alice Gerrard, as well as many others. Stompin' Dave has also recently begun being booked as a headline performer at festivals. These have included The Cornish Folk Festival, National Banjo Day, and The Tolpuddle Martys Festival. Although Dave mainly performs solo he does from time to time perform as a duo with a variety of friends and with various acts and bands including his own bands Stompin' Dave & His Bluegrass Band, Stompin' Dave's Blues3, etc. Press: "Stompin’ Dave is a master of all kinds of American roots music, ranging from bluegrass to electric blues guitar and boogie piano, with a nice line in self-deprecating patter between numbers. He’s partial to showbiz gimmicks, juggling with his banjo and playing his electric guitar behind his head like Hendrix, but there is great sincerity and feeling in his performance, too." ~ The Daily Telegraph. "one of the world's greatest performers." ~ Maverick Magazine "The supremely talented and multi-faceted musician deserves a higher profile" ~ Blues In Britain "Never have I seen or heard an artist quite like Stompin’ Dave" ~ 5/5 stars from Maverick Magazine "The pick of Dorset's home grown talent, Stompin' Dave undoubtedly is." ~ The Dorset Echo "His style is mesmerising and infectious and he ought to be booked at every festival going" ~ Blues Matters! "Dave's spectacular talent leaves us less talented people open mouthed in amazement." ~ Blues In The South "A true treasure from the South Coast" ~ Banbury Blues Festival "Generates enough energy to illuminate Blackpool" ~ Wessex Folk Festival