About

Freddy Allen is a professional pianist, vocalist, composer and musical director with over thirty-four years experience in the music business.  Freddy began learning to play the piano when he was only four years old. At thirteen, he started playing professionally in restaurants, night clubs, and theaters.  He earned his formal education in music from Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO.  While at CMU, Freddy excelled as a pianist, vocalist and accompanist. He was recognized for his ability to perform various styles of music including classical, jazz, blues, contemporary and musical-theater.  He received numerous scholarships and awards for his talents at CMU, including the Tim Mutti Piano Scholarship and The Liberace Foundation Piano Scholarship.

After college, Freddy was hired to play piano in many restaurants and night clubs.  He also served as assistant musical director at the Lyceum Theater in Arrow Rock, MO (1992-93 summer seasons).  Through his work at the Lyceum Theater, Freddy was hired as an audition pianist for the Midwest Theater Auditions, Mid-America Theater Auditions and Actors Equity Association in New York City.   

In 1995, Freddy made his home in Chicago, IL where he continued his career as a solo artist, accompanist, and musical director. In Chicago, he played for many local theater auditions and seasonal Disney auditions.  He accompanied several classes and students in the Musical Theater Department at Northwestern University.  From 2000-2003, Freddy served as Music and Entertainment Director at Voltaire Cabaret.  At Voltaire, Freddy co-produced, music directed and performed in hundreds of musical reviews and cabaret-style shows.  These productions were performed by ensembles of six to eight singers and dancers featuring the Resident Diva, Amy Armstrong.  It was also at Voltaire that Freddy’s duties included hiring and managing all of the club’s musicians and entertainers.

Over the last twenty-four years, Freddy became well known for his talents as pianist and musical director for the popular music and comedy act, Amy & Freddy.  He has performed and toured with Amy Armstrong (of Amy & Freddy) in cities all over the U.S. and Europe.  Amy & Freddy have been the opening act for great entertainers as Bea Arthur, Phyllis Diller, Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson and The Supremes, Jennifer Holliday, and Leslie Jordan, to name a few. They have performed on over 60 cruises, many of which they were the headline entertainers.  In their 22 years together, Amy & Freddy produced four nationally released albums praised by critics and audiences, alike.  In their last album, We Get Along, four of Freddy’s original songs are featured including the album’s title song.

When not on the road with his duo act, Freddy performs solo as a jazz/swing pianist, and works as a free-lance accompanist, music director, and piano teacher.  Freddy has been noted as one of the “best accompanists in his field”, and continues to accompany singers of various genres.  He has played for hundreds of corporate events, weddings, and private parties.  Several of his notable clients include The Chicago Sinfonietta, Phizer Pharmaceuticals, Harpo Studios, The City of Chicago and former Mayor, Richard M. Daley, and North Halsted Market Days.  Freddy was awarded the Chicago After-Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artist (twice), and the Chicago Free Press “Pressie” award for Best Local Entertainer.  Since December 2015, Freddy has been a featured pianist at Mariano’s Wine and Piano Bars where he thrills listeners with his unique swing and stride piano style. Two years ago, Freddy moved to Davenport, IA to be closer to family. He can be heard in many venues in the Quad Cities area, and continues to perform and tour with his long-time musical counterpart, Amy Armstrong.