Gloria Allende
Gloria Allende is a musician, singer, songwriter and band leader. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Los Angeles, California. Gloria began singing professionally as a background vocalist for Pasha records (parent company of Sony Music Entertainment) in Hollywood, CA at the age of 17. She graduated from the famous Hollywood High School of Performing Arts. Gloria’s extensive training in modern, jazz and salsa dancing explains her movement and contagious energy on stage. Despite pursuing a secular career in real estate and legal studies, performing and creating music with the endeavor to lift people’s spirit remains her strength and passion.
Gloria’s Philly performances include Zanzibar Blue on Avenue of Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she performed for various celebrity events that included Billie D. Williams, Allen Iverson, NBA All Stars after party, Jim Carey, Rick James and many others. At Zanzibar, she debuted her album “Feel Good” (available on Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music) produced by
Dan Kleiman (One of the best contemporary jazz pianists of all time.) Working and creating “Feel Good” with DAN KLEIMAN (who has since passed), was one of Gloria’s most cherished memories. Dan Kleiman was a Philadelphia-based composer, arranger, producer, and keyboardist who has performed and/or recorded with Grammy-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts, Miles Davis guitarist Mike Stern, Howard Levy, and the Fifth Dimension.
Gloria has also performed locally in Atlantic City and other venues such as: Kelsey’s, Tropicana, Ocean, Chris’ Jazz Cafe and South Jazz club. Highlights of Gloria’s musical career include opening up for Regina Belle in the British Virgin Island of Tortola, Stylistics, smooth jazz artist Marion Meadows and had the privilege of performing with one of the best jazz flautist, Grammy award winning David Valentin (musical director for Tito Puente's Golden Latin Jazz All-Stars).
For over 10 years and counting, Gloria is a bandleader, producer and lead vocalist for one of the tri-state areas best entertainment company (CTO.com). Her party band is known as “CTO Park Central”. They hold a 5 star rating on Wedding Wire, The Knot and Google. CTO Park Central’s 5 star online reviews are lengthy and impressive.
Gloria Allende’s show delights audiences with a musical blend of Jazz, R&B and Latin. She has been inspired by many artists and enjoys singing songs by Anita Baker, Sade, Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Kahn and Celia Cruz to name a few. Gloria's mix of powerful and smooth vocal phrasing will excite and soothe your soul.