“Allen Vega features Blues music that captures Rock, Rhythm and Blues. Guaranteed to get you off your seat, on your feet and dancing to the beat. For over three decades Allen has played and shared the stage near and far. A California native, Allen grew up in Oakland CA surrounded by musical talent, where he was given the name "Ace", raised by greats. His showmanship demonstrates his passion and love for blues music that has captivated audiences for over thirty years!”
(See bio below)
Allen Vega - Guitarist, Singer, & Band Leader
Genre: Blues Rock
Allen grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and first started playing guitar at age 15. As a teen, Allen was greatly influenced by his musically talented family, which includes his uncle, Grammy winner, Gold album recipient and West Coast Blues Hall of Fame inductee (Guitarist) David "Dynamite" Vega of Graham Central Station fame. Soon Allen developed a powerful blues guitar style, and began appearing at Bay Area jam nights.
At age eighteen Allen joined his first professional band, Jack Rudy and The Blues Voodoo's playing throughout Northern California. They won the west coast "Best Unsigned Band" contest at JJ's Blues in Mountain View. Allen began making a name for himself within the local blues scene while with the Blues Voodoo's
In 1987 Allen formed Smokin' Gun, a powerful blues trio. Smokin' Gun went on to win BAM (Bay Area Music) Magazine's Battle of the Bands, being chosen over 50 other bands. This win led them to opening for such acts as Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Lowell Fulson, Lenny Williams, J.J. Malone, Cool Papa, and many others.
In 1993 Allen joined with Frankie Lee (a.k.a. Little Frankie Lee), a noted San Francisco Bay Area soul and blues artist on the road. As bandleader and music director for the Frankie Lee Band, he showed his capacity as he played his way criss-crossing the United States and Canada for six years. He not only showcased his powerful lead work, but he showed his sensitivity while backing a singer and provided leadership while maintaining a high standard of musicianship. Allen's powerful show openers and endless energy-packed finales caught the attention of many. His showmanship, stage presence, and his playing ability reflect the influences of Albert Collins, Albert King and Freddie King.
While with Frankie Lee, Vega shared the bill with such fabulous acts as Bobby "Blue" Bland, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Bobby Murray, Sonny Rhodes, Lucky Peterson, Luther Allison, Kenny Neil, Coco Montoya and many others. He played such venues as Antone's, House of Blues, Buddy Guy's Legends, Morganfield's, B.B. King's, and many many festivals, including the Monterey Bay Blues Festival and Portland's waterfront Blues festival performing for crowds of over 40,000 people.
In 1998 Vega left the Frankie Lee Band to develop and present his own music as singer, songwriter and guitarist. Appearing at local Bay Area blues clubs. Allen was also regularly working and recording with Bay Area Blues Legend, J.J. Malone.
After touring for nearly ten years Allen settled in Livermore California with his wife to raise their family only performing at private events and local clubs.
In 2008 Allen teamed up with recording artist Big Cat Tolefree, together they performed at most of the major festivals and venues throughout California even opening for the Legendary B.B. King at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, Ca. Allen's passion for the blues proved too powerful for him to hold back. In 2014 Vega parted ways with Big Cat and formed a powerful cast of musicians that showcased Allen's excitement for the blues, bringing back energy and tunes that have not been played for years. Allen released his debut CD titled Rough Cut, the CD gained some traction in Europe and around the world selling out in a short time. The CD was nominated for best debut album in German Magazine Wassar Prawda ranking third in the readers poll. Vega took advantage of the attention and press he received and performed hundreds of shows and many festivals throughout California from 2014 to 2017. Allen connected with his old friend Sonny Rhodes during this time while also fronting his own band. Vega worked with Sonny from 2016 up until Sonny passed away in late 2021. Allen is currently working to remix and add more songs to his “Rough Cut” release and has enlisted the help of the great Kid Andersen at GreaseLand Studio, hoping for a December 2024 release. Allen continues to perform local, look for him at festival's and select venues summer of 2024.
allenvega.com
