Allen Hanlon

American Swing jazz guitarist, teacher and author.
Born January 10, 1919, in Long Island, New York, USA.
Died April 6, 1986, in New York, New York, USA.
Hanlon began playing violin at the age of eight but switched to the guitar at fourteen, being greatly influenced by George Van Eps. Hanlon's first real professional job was with Benny Goodman in 1937 followed quickly after by three years with Red Norvo's band. Later he joined Claude Thornhill and Adrian Rollini, with others in-between.
After recording and touring with multiple bands and groups early in his career, and following the war, Hanlon became a staple in New York studios, and on radio stations and TV programs as a studio musician. He was featured on recording sessions with singers such as Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Vic Damone and Bobby Vinton. Hanlon played on two Louis Armstrong tracks, one of them the hit "Wonderful World" in 1967 (and the B side "The Sunshine of Love").
Hanlon also began teaching guitar after the war and wrote many guitar instruction booklets including "Kreutzer for Guitar (Pick Method)", as well as multiple Basic Guitar series books and other scales and chords booklets.
In 1970 Hanlon started a jazz guitar duo with Sal Salvador and they gave many concerts in the New York area.