Local singer still entertaining audiences as she celebrates her 95th birthday

Whether it’s a musical, a memoir or performing on stages across the world, Ruth Allen, who is about to turn 95 years old, proves that while age is just a number, a good song lasts forever.

A long-time professional singer, Allen moved to the United States from London and over her long career says there has always been one constant in her life.

“Music has driven me, really, because I love it,” she told KTLA’s Omar Lewis.

From Carnegie Hall to the Savoy Hotel to shows in Paris, her musical talents have taken her all over the world and allowed her to work with other talented artists and musicians like Duke Ellington.

“He said, ‘What do you do?’ and I said, ‘Well, I’m a singer.’ He said, ‘You are?’ and I said, ‘Afraid so.’ So he said, ‘Well come and sing with the band.’ For four years after that, every Christmas I got a Christmas card from Duke Ellington,” Allen recalled.

Her passion for singing and entertaining still lives on at Sunrise Senior Living Center in Valencia where Allen serenades guests every Thursday.

“Ruth is the best thing to ever happen to Sunrise,” Frank Marion, a resident, told KTLA. “Out of all the entertainment that comes in here, I only go to see Ruth.”

Be it her memoir or latest album, the 95-year-old artist said she’s always working on a new project. As far as her secret to a long life, she believes it has always been family.

“I’ve been so blessed, really, so blessed through the people around me,” she said.

As she prepares to blow out candles in celebration of her 95th birthday this Saturday, she’s also making sure people see that age really is just a number.

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