Wise 1

BAKER CITY — Hailing from Louisiana, Shamarr Allen is bringing a taste of “True Orleans” to his show on Saturday, Sept. 23, in Baker City.

Allen is fresh off a tour in Costa Rica and an album release in his hometown of New Orleans. His latest record, titled “True Orleans 2,” was released on Aug. 18.

His show is at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Wise 1 opens the night at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets are $18 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $25 at the door.

Allen grew up listening to his dad play saxophone, a hobby he’d pick up after a day at work.

“I was always around it,” Allen said.

And New Orleans is full of music.

“You’re always around it — it’s a part of your life. You’re in it,” he said.

By the time he went to school, Allen had a solid foundation in reading music and understanding time signature.

“My dad taught me the basics,” he said.

Already ahead of the curve, Allen excelled in the music programs through elementary school, junior high and high school.

“By the time I got to college, I was teaching my peers,” he said.

Although he learned a lot from his dad, Allen chose the trumpet rather than the sax.

He’s been performing for almost 30 years, getting his start playing at festivals when he was 14.

“This is my life. This is what I do every day,” he said.

His music is influenced by jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs” and has collaborated with artists such as Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harrick Connick Jr. and Lenny Kravitz.

As for his show in Baker City?

“You gotta see it to believe it,” he said. “They can come expect to have a good time.”

Wise 1

Wise 1 said he will open the show with a variety of R&B, hip hop and “trap metal,” which he describes as a mixture of hip hop and metal.

“Pretty much every genre except country,” he said. “Rapping, screaming, singing — I do it all.”

As a singer-songwriter, he performs original music. He lives in Baker City, and has played several shows in La Grande.