Jason Allen’s singing career began at the tender age of two while riding in the back seat of his Aunt Bet’s car. “We were headed down south for a funeral, and my aunt started singing. I kept saying, ‘Sing, Aunt Bet, sing’ and soon I began to sing along.”

Jason went on to sing in the youth choir at his church and by the time he was 10 years old, he was conducting a mixed choir of youth and adults. “I was a ‘PK’—a preacher’s kid—so I was expected to participate whether I wanted to or not. But I wanted to.” 

Add to that Jason’s experience in elementary school, where he and his classmates composed and performed operas. As a sixth grader he landed a lead role. “The story was about a troll,” Jason recalls, “and the troll was so mean and angry. But by the end of the show he became nice. In an opera for fifth and sixth graders you want to have a happy ending.”

At Chicago’s Simeon High School Jason sang with the gospel choir, often as a soloist. Gospel music sustains him, both spiritually and musically. “I have a Top 10 list of songs that I love to hear and one of them is ‘Somehow I Made It,’ as sung by a gospel icon, Dorothy Norwood.” The song was composed by Rev. James Cleveland. “When I hear it, and I reflect back and think of all the things I’ve been through, I’m just grateful for a lot. I’ve had some health challenges, some financial struggles and been robbed at gunpoint. God spared my life then, and again when I lost control of my truck while driving on the expressway in a heavy snowstorm, and I just missed getting hit by an 18-wheeler. So when I hear that song, it just really touches me.” Here’s a link to Ms. Norwood’s performance.

Jason’s love of gospel music inspired him to form his own choir, “Jason Allen and the Family.” The group’s CD, “Never Alone,” includes several songs written and arranged by Jason. One song, “How I Got Over,” honors the memory of his great-grandmother Alberta Bady-Jones who, Jason says, “inspired me to follow my dreams.” And his Aunt Bet is the soloist in “How I Got Over.” Sample his choir’s CD here.

Jason is employed as a care provider with Renewal Memory Partners, a homecare service that specializes in supporting people with dementia. He was introduced to Sounds Good via his role as a caregiver for Howard Goldberg, who sings with the Good Memories choir. Howard’s spouse, Natalie Goldberg, was the first to alert Jonathan Miller, co-founder and artistic director of Sounds Good and Good Memories, that he had a “ringer” in the choir in the person of Jason Allen. “I told him that he had a wonderful singer and choir leader.”  

After talking with Jason about his gospel group at a Good Memories rehearsal, Jonathan said, “I listened to ‘Jason and the Family’s’  album and was blown away. That got me thinking that he could lead the choir in a concert.”

Jason made his debut as a guest conductor leading the Good Memories choir at its Spring 2024 concert. When he introduced the song, “I Need You to Survive” by David Frazier, Jason spoke eloquently of his work as a caregiver and what music can mean to people with memory loss. “My role is simply to offer a helping hand that can be as simple as being a companion, assisting with daily routines, or singing in a choir. Singing is therapeutic. It helps with memory, promotes relaxation and reduces levels of stress and agitation. Singing in the Good Memories Choir has been a great experience. This lovely choir welcomed me with open arms. As a care partner I have come to realize that we all face different challenges, struggles and obstacles, regardless of age, race or gender. We unmistakenly need each other to survive.” 

Natalie adds, “Good Memories has been an excellent experience for Howard. He is fortunate to have a kind and honorable man as his caregiver, who also enjoys sharing the choir practice with him. Jason is outgoing and cheerful and when he comes in the morning, it’s always ‘How are you, Buddy?’”

Although the Good Memories choir sings a variety of genres, from pop to rock to Broadway, Jason finds some common ground with his church music experience. “A Good Memories rehearsal can turn into something like a church service, an encounter with the man upstairs, as our songs bring out emotions.” Watch Jason lead the choir here.

In addition to his work as a caregiver and musician, Jason is the founder of Rosie Lee’s Catering, a business he launched in 2013 and named after his grandmother, who taught him how to cook when he was just seven years old. “I wasn’t even tall enough to stand over the stove, so I turned over a pot and stood on it. She gave me instructions, and that’s when the magic happened.” Jason has installed commercial cooking equipment in his home, enabling him to cater large events, such as a Juneteenth celebration for 300 people. He also catered his own 40^th birthday party for 150 guests.

Jason makes time in his life for his daughter Janiqia, who will enter Chicago State University in September to study nursing. When not singing, caregiving or catering, Jason enjoys travel, mostly in Mexico and Central America. And he is still anchored in his faith, as a member of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer, led by Rev. Derail V. Smith. Jason’s Sunday singing, however, is as a member of the congregation, not the choir. “The Cosmopolitan Choir, the Warriors, is a world-renowned recording choir, so there are obligations when you join that choir. Right now, I just love singing from the audience.”

One thing is certain: whenever and wherever Jason Allen sings, he sings with a full heart, no doubt reflecting on the refrain from his favorite hymn: “Somehow I made it, somehow I made it. Through it all, God brought me through.”