Annisteen Allen

Annisteen Allen (November 11, 1920 – August 10, 1992) was an American blues and jazz singer.

Born Ernestine Letitia Allen in Champaign, Illinois, United States, her first recordings were made in 1945, and included "Miss Annie's Blues" and "Love for Sale." She sang with Big John Greer, Wynonie Harris, and Lucky Millinder. In 1951, Federal Records signed her to sing with Millinder's orchestra. She scored other hits with Millinder such as "I'll Never Be Free", "Let It Roll", "I'm Waiting Just for You" (written by Carolyn Leigh and Henry Glover), "Moanin' the Blues", "I Want a Man," and "More, More, More." Federal's parent company, King Records, acquired her in 1953.

Her single, "Baby I'm Doin' It," released in 1953 appeared on the US Billboard R&B chart (No. 8). After releasing the single, Apollo Records sued King for copyright infringement, and as a result King dropped her from its roster. She then signed with Capitol Records and did tours with Joe Morris and The Orioles. In 1955, she scored a hit in the US with "Fujiyama Mama." The track was later covered by Eileen Barton and then by Wanda Jackson.

Allen became a solo artist in the 1960s.

Annisteen Allen died in Harlem, New York City at age 71.

Josh Binney filmed her performing "Let it Roll" with Lucky Millinder in 1948.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 11, 1920 (Champaign), Died August 10, 1992 (Harlem)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1946 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D9VB-0888 10" 2/15/1949 Moanin' the blues Annisteen Allen ; Lucky Millinder Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D9VB-1751 10-in. 6/27/1949 Let it be Lucky Millinder Orchestra ; Lucky Millinder Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Decca 73395 2/26/1946 How big can you get Lucky Millinder Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 73397 2/26/1946 There's good blues tonight Lucky Millinder Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 73862 4/11/1947 The spider and the fly Lucky Millinder Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 73863 4/11/1947 Let it roll Lucky Millinder Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 74098 10/3/1947 Don't hesitate too long Lucky Millinder Orchestra vocalist  
Decca 100867 10/30/1956 Don't nobody move Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 100868 10/30/1956 The money tree Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 100869 10/30/1956 Don't pull the wool Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 100870 10/30/1956 That's the music for me Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 102630 7/7/1957 Rough lover Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 102631 7/7/1957 Bells in my heart Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 102632 7/7/1957 Pardon me Annisteen Allen vocalist  
Decca 102633 7/7/1957 Catch a falling star Annisteen Allen vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Allen, Annisteen," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300966.

Allen, Annisteen. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300966.

"Allen, Annisteen." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300966

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