Tom Allen

Repertoire Analysis

A passionate music lover, storyteller, accomplished trombonist, writer and broadcaster, Allen continues to bring a wealth of experience to CBC Radio 2. Allen hosted Radio 2’s former morning drive show MUSIC AND COMPANY from September 1998-2008. Prior to this, his weekly stories aired to a keen Ontario audience on CBC Radio One’s Fresh Air, and nationally on This Morning.

He has had three books published – Toe Rubber Blues (1999), Rolling Home – A Cross-Canada Railroad Memoir, (2001) and most recently The Gift of The Game, a wonderful reflection on hockey and the role the game plays in the life of a divorced hockey parent.

Allen studied at McGill University, graduated from Boston University and received his MA at Yale University. While looking for full time work as a trombonist, he worked as an office temp on Wall Street and as a cook in a Mexican restaurant. One of his favourite musical memories is of joining 87 other trombonists on the first-base line at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox home opener in 1982. In 1987 he began touring with the Great Lakes Brass until he joined CBC Radio in Halifax.

Tom lives with his wife in Toronto and is a father of two teenagers. Aside from his passion for music and literature, he’s an avid cyclist and plays recreational hockey and baskeball.