Ray Allen is Professor of Music and American Studies at Brooklyn College, CUNY, where he teaches classes on American music, world music, and urban folk culture. His research has ranged from African American gospel, Caribbean Carnival music, and the folk music revival to the works of composers Ruth Crawford Seeger and George Gershwin. His books include Singing in the Spirit: African-American Sacred Quartets in New York City, Island Sounds in the Global City: Caribbean Popular Music in New York City (co-edited with Lois Wilcken), Ruth Crawford Seeger's Worlds: Innovation and Tradition in Twentieth Century American Music (co-edited with Elli Hisama), and Gone to the Country: The New Lost City Ramblers and the Urban Folk Music Revival.

"Jump Up!: Caribbean Carnival Music in New York is a mustread for all researchers, students, musicians, aspiring promoters, and afficionados of Caribbean musical cultures in general, and of Carnival music, steelband, and masquerade in particular. Its wealth of information, critical perspectives and musical analyses on one of North America's largest outdoor festivals are illuminating." -- Jocelyne Guilbault, New West Indian Guide

"Ray Allen's masterful history, Jump Up! Caribbean Carnival Music in New York City is the first book-length exploration of the twinned histories of Caribbean Carnival and of West Indian music in New York City, and it will be the authoritative word on the subject for decades to come." -- Gage Averill, Gotham Center for New York City History

"Allen conducted thorough research for this book and took care in making it accessible to readers within and outside academia. This is an important book for understanding Caribbean networks within New York and the ways people used music to create and sustain the Caribbean community there." -- Caribbean Quarterly

"Professor Allen leaves no stone unturned. His analysis of the future of carnival in New York City ought to make everyone read Jump Up. This masterpiece belongs in every Caribbean-American home." -- Everybody's Caribbean Magazine