Allensworth

Jamie Allensworth grew up in Garden Grove, CA but spent a lot of his childhood with his grandmother in Potrero Hill, San Fransisco. It was there, on the corner of Missouri and 20th that he first found his love for harmony. Local acapella groups would get together on the top of the hill and belt out songs by the Chi Lites, the Miracles, the Temps, and Gene Chandler. His mother Moata Masaniai sang tenor in a Samoan church choir and his stepfather played guitar and was a fire dancer for a Polynesian group called Gogosina. His father was a part-time country and western performer who introduced him to the drums at an early age. By the time he was 5 he was singing, playing spoons, and anything else he could make noise with. Deeply influenced by his family he fell in love with a wide variety of music.

Right out of high school, Jamie and his fellow classmates started a group called Natural Afrodisiac aka Nafro. Known for their diversity but definitely rooted in soul music, the band went on to win 2003 Best R&B Group, 2004 Best Live Band, and Best Jam Band at the Orange County Music Awards. They had the privilege to open for funk pioneers James Brown, Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, Maceo Parker, Roger and Zapp. They also shared the stage with musical greats such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, and George Clinton; Hip Hop acts Floetry, Medusa, Ozomatli, and Everlast; as well as Reggae greats Steel Pulse, Yellowman, and Eek a Mouse.

Shortly after Nafro disbanded in 2006, Jamie found himself in the studio preparing for a solo album. With the help from some Nafro band mates and friends, Allensworth was born. Although Allensworth is a fairly new project, the members have been performing together for over a decade. Nafro, the Rebirth, Breakestra, Soulhustlers, and Leparis Nervosa are among some of the projects each band member stems from. Allensworth strongly conveys their knowledge and importance of live music through each performance. Known to captivate and move any audience, this band thrives on showmanship through infectious rhythms, clever word play, and soulful grooves. Allensworth continues to push the musical envelope and gratify anyone within earshot.