Dr. Michael Allemana

Biography

Mike Allemana is a distinguished jazz guitarist and educator. He began playing guitar at the age of eight and was inspired by his high school jazz band director. He earned his B.M. in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University in 1991 and immersed himself in the Cincinnati jazz scene before returning to Chicago in 1994. Allemana quickly became prominent within the city's vibrant jazz community, performing with noted musicians, including Dr. Lonnie Smith and Von Freeman. He has participated in various notable performances, festivals, and collaborations, including the Made Chicago concert series at Millennium Park. In addition to his performance career, Allemana has pursued academic excellence, earning a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Chicago, where he was awarded a Dissertation Fellowship. His dissertation investigates the racialized geography of Chicago's South Side jazz scene, focusing on Von Freeman's influence and the socio-cultural contexts of jazz music in the area. Allemana is committed to researching and preserving the historical significance of jazz while actively contributing to its contemporary practice through performance and education.

Research Interests