Jassen Allen began singing at church in Iowa. A music teacher took him under her wing, hoping the young Black man would become another Simon Estes, Iowa’s famed African American bass-baritone. The teacher convinced Allen to enter talent shows at the Iowa State Fair.
“I never won the talent shows, but I got better and better and learned how to be an individual performer,” Allen said. The young artist realized that performing as a solo act was what he wanted to do, and he found his first performing jobs at theme parks in Florida and Texas. From there, he was a production singer on a variety of cruise ship lines. He spent 10 years seeing the world and honing his craft. Then it was time to settle down on dry land. He moved to Los Angeles.
Allen became “a very good waiter” and also found work as a performer. He was cast in the Civic Light Opera’s award-winning production of Dream Girls and became a popular singer for special events from Los Angeles to Europe. In 2006, Allen moved to Las Vegas, where again, he was “a very good waiter.” After several rough years, he established himself as a Las Vegas entertainer and wrote a tribute show to Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston. The show, a hit, was held at Ron DeCar’s Event Center. “I finally had my name in lights on the Strip,” Allen said. “Well, it was down the Strip a ways, but it was there.”
Now, the Vegas headliner has put together a tribute to the legendary Lionel Richie, called All Night Long. Richie, the songwriter and co-founder of the Commodores, wrote hits like “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Still,” as well as Billboard Hot 100 single for Kenny Rogers, “Lady.” He recorded “Endless Love” with Diana Ross, and it is still among the top 20 best-selling singles of all time. Richie has won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for “We Are the World,” which he co-wrote with Michael Jackson, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Allen considers his show not only a tribute, but a celebration. It’s a party that will last “All Night Long.” You may be “Dancing on the Ceiling,” but you won’t be taking it “Easy.”
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