Dave Allee Oral History

David “Dave” Allee (b. March 24, 1969) is an Indianapolis trumpeter, jazz advocate, and founder of The Jazz Kitchen, one of the nation’s premier jazz clubs. The son of acclaimed Indianapolis pianist and composer Steve Allee, Dave developed a passion for jazz at an early age, studying under Carl Hungerford, Rudy Finnell, Anderson White, and Jimmy Coe. As a trumpeter, he has performed with the Jimmy Coe Big Band and with Pavel & Direct Contact, while dedicating much of his career to strengthening Indiana’s jazz community.

In 1994, Allee and Michael Slattery opened The Jazz Kitchen to provide a dedicated venue for jazz in Indianapolis. Since then, the club has presented hundreds of performances each year by internationally acclaimed artists including Harry Connick Jr., J.J. Johnson, Ray Brown, Billy Cobham, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kamasi Washington, and many others. Recognized annually by DownBeat magazine as one of the world’s top jazz venues, The Jazz Kitchen has become a cornerstone of Indiana’s music scene. Beyond the club, Allee helped found the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation in 1997 and has served as festival director of Indy Jazz Fest since 2008, helping preserve and promote jazz throughout the state. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the NUVO Cultural Visionary Award, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame Award, and the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award. This page includes the Complete Interview, a short edited Interview Highlight, and an Image Gallery that help illustrate this Amazing Indiana Music Story.

In this interview highlight, David “Dave” Allee reflects on the musical influences that shaped his career, from learning the trumpet as a young student to growing up surrounded by Indianapolis jazz. He also discusses founding The Jazz Kitchen and his ongoing efforts to preserve Indiana’s rich jazz heritage through Indy Jazz Fest and the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame. The complete interview can be found below for those who want the full conversation.

In this complete oral history interview, David “Dave” Allee traces his lifelong journey in jazz, beginning with his early years growing up in Indianapolis as the son of acclaimed pianist and composer Steve Allee. He recalls learning the trumpet in fifth grade at Indianapolis Public School #70 under Carl Hungerford, continuing through Broad Ripple High School and the IPS All-City Jazz Band, and the musicians and mentors who shaped his love for jazz.

Allee also shares the story behind founding The Jazz Kitchen with Michael Slattery in 1994 and its growth into one of the world’s premier jazz clubs. He discusses his work as a trumpeter, his leadership with Indy Jazz Fest and the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame, and his commitment to preserving and promoting Indiana’s jazz heritage for future generations.