Sanford Allen (born 1939) is an American classical violinist.^[1] At the age of 10, he began studying violin at the Juilliard School of Music and continued at the Mannes School of Music under Vera Fonaroff.^[2] He was the first African-American regular member of the Lewisohn Stadium Concerts Orchestra, joining in the summer of 1959.^[3] In 1962, shortly after winning the inaugural Young Concert Artists competition,^[4] he became the first full-time African-American violinist with the New York Philharmonic.^[5] After leaving the Philharmonic in 1977, Allen pursued a career as a soloist, teacher, and adviser on the arts. He also worked extensively recording film music.^[6]

Allen has been married to Madhur Jaffrey, the Indian-born actress, food and travel writer, and television personality, since 1969.^[7]

• Federation of Music Clubs (1956)^[8]
• Young Concert Artists competition (1961)
• Koussevitzky International Recording Award (1974)

With Ron Carter

• Super Strings (Milestone, 1981)

With Rahsaan Roland Kirk

• Kirkatron (Warner Bros, 1977)

• Sanford Allen, in the first violin section of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (photograph) Beinecke Library digital collections, object 2029313.