MikeWTAllen
MikeWTAllen
New music from my crazy 20-person jazz-metal orchestra is coming out this year!!
We had the absolute privilege of spending a couple weeks at Hipposonic Studios working with the supremely talented Ben Kaplan to craft our next musical offering!
The upcoming album features Space Elevator’s signature blend of blasting horns, crushing riffs, bouncy grooves, and plenty of weirdness in our original music, as well as a smattering of covers that we have performed with some legendary guest vocalists in the form of Leda XO from The Hallowed Catharsis, Joel Parent from Ninjaspy, and rapper/singer Missy D!
We’ll be taking over The Rickshaw Theatre on November 14th to celebrate this monumental undertaking, squeezing all 20 musicians on stage as well as inviting our featured guest vocalists up to perform with us!
Plus the night will be opened up by one of my favourite recent discoveries in Vancouver’s local scene:
Jazz-fusion wunderkinds: Chopping Spree!
Get your tickets now!
It’s gonna be a crazy good show!
Described by Discorder Magazine as a “compositional tour-de-force”, Mike WT Allen is a composer, performer, and bandleader based out of Vancouver, Canada.
As a composer Mike’s credits include commissions from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Redshift Music, the West Vancouver Youth Band, and the Hard Rubber Orchestra as well as composing award winning film soundtracks and leading his own creative projects. Mike can be found composing anything from large ensemble jazz-metal to contemporary classical to ambient soundscapes.
As a performer Mike has toured internationally, headlined festival stages to thousands of people, and played in a hair salon twice! Whether he’s playing free-jazz bass saxophone, keyboards in a hiphop jam, or sweet instrumental songs on clarinet, Mike is constantly looking for new ways to explore music across a wide variety of instruments and styles.
Mike is also a speaker and educator, talking to university and high school classes, giving workshops, and has been a guest speaker at various musical events covering topics such as using effects pedals on horns, big band arranging, and making a living through music.
For any questions about gigs, commissions, lessons, etc email: mike.w.t.allen@gmail.com
Space Elevator is the twenty person jazz-metal orchestra powerhouse that has served as Mike’s little (big) creative baby since 2016, with all of the music being composed or arranged solely by Mike.
Boasting 14 horns, 2 guitars, keys, bass, and two drummers, the band’s music is loud, complicated, and exciting!
Recent highlights include 2023’s Space Jamboree concert which featured guest appearances from 10 of Vancouver’s best vocalists to a packed the Rio Theatre!
The band just spent a few weeks in the studio recording our next musical offering and will be releasing it November 14th through Infidels Jazz!
Get tickets here!
Discorder Magazine
on Space Elevator
“...one of the most awe-inspiring demonstrations of musical prowess that I have ever experienced” (read full article)
Vancouver Classical Music
on “Flashlight” with VSO
“Allen’s work is fresh, infectiously rhythmic and warming.” (read full article)
Beatroute Magazine
on Big EviL
“...despite hosting tags of “noisy“ and “wacky,“ their performance will win over anyone with a display of mastery over instruments.“ (read full article)
Vancouver Jazz Festival
on Space Elevator
“There’s everything you think you know about big band, and then there’s Space Elevator.”
My Mom
after seeing one of my
concerts
“Michael child, you might be a genius. I can't believe I'm saying that.“
MD and arranger for Missy D performance at the Chan Centre 2025
Composer for Run n Gun finalist short film Quality Time
Gentle Push composed for the 80+ person wind orchestra West Vancouver Youth Band
Five Alarm Funk Festival 2024 International de Louisiane in Lafayette LA
Space Elevator’s Space Jamboree 2023, a packed Rio Theatre featuring 10 guest vocalists
History of Gunpowder main stage Vancouver Jazz Fest 2023 performance
Five Alarm Funk headlining the 2022 Vancouver Folk Fest
History of Gunpowder 2022 Italy Tour
Mixtophonics curated evening of experimental jazz
Monthly series Improv Karaoke introducing people to the world of free improvisation
Five Alarm Funk back to back to back sold out shows at the Commodore Ballroom 2021-2025
Soundtrack for award winning short film Maya directed by Jacquile Kambo
Space Elevator main stage performance at 2019 Vancouver Jazz Festival
History Of Gunpowder 2019 Germany/Italy tour
Space Elevator album release at the Rickshaw Theatre
“Flashlight” for chamber ensemble, commissioned by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
“Sloove The Traction” performed by the Hard Rubber Orchestra
Big EviL performance at ArtsWells where Al Simmons said we were his favourite band
Woke Floke Gaze commissioned by Redshift Music, debuted at The Orpheum
Big EviL main stage performance at 2017 Vancouver Jazz Festival to 3000+ people
2016 Capilano Courier Reader's Choice Award for Best Musician
Soundtrack to award winning short film Help Wanted
Best Local Avant-Garde Artist Whammy Awards nomination for Key To Abyss
Soundtrack to the award winning short film A Gift For Amelia
Commissioned by the Royal Military College of Canada to compose an original piece
Space Elevator debut performance to a sold out crowd at the Fox Cabaret
Headlining spots for VaudeVille Vagabonds at Cascadia and Atmosphere music festivals
Ivy League Brawlers opening for and joined on stage by Angelo Moore of Fishbone
Space Junk, a tribute to David Bowie's Blackstar featuring Bend Sinister and Cobra Ramone
Music composed for and used in commercials/videos with clients including BC Hydro
Guest spots recording or playing with Marianas Trench, Colin James, Los Furios, Bestie, Ben Norton, BRASS, Sadie Campbell