Jazz singer likes to take chances
By Mark O’Keefe Herald-Standard
While other jazz singers/pianists such as Diana Krall, Jane Monheit and Natalie Cole get more recognition, Karrin Allyson takes a backseat to no one when it comes to being versatile and taking chances.
Whether it’s recording John Coltrane songs, singing lyrics in French or taking on the blues, Allyson has shown that she has the talent and courage to try just about anything and do it well.
“I like to explore different areas,’ said Allyson. “I don’t know if it’s anything intentional or not. I just like playing whatever I’m feeling at the time. ‘
Allyson will bring all those influences and styles with her when she comes to Dowe’s on 9th, the popular Pittsburgh jazz club on Saturday for two shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the show and $45 for the dinner-show combination. For more information call 412-281-9225.
“We’ll play a lot of different things like we always do,’ said Allyson. “It’s kind of hard to say exactly what we’ll be playing, but it should be a lot of fun, and we’re looking to coming back there. We played there last year and had a great time. It’s a nice big club.’
Allyson has been displaying her versatility since her first CD “I Didn’t Know about You,’ which she released on her own in 1992. The CD was subsequently picked up by Concord Records, and she’s made seven other CDs for the label since then. Allyson’s last three CDs in particular have shown her tendency to experiment.
In 1999 Allyson recorded “From Paris to Rio,’ with lyrics in French and Portguese on songs ranging from Jacques Brel to samba and bassa nova.
Next up was her most ambitious project so far, “Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane,’ which featured songs from the legendary Coltrane’s “Ballads’ CD. The project earned her a Grammy nomination and further secured her reputation as one of the premiere singers in the world of jazz.
She followed that up with “In Blue,’ which featured her interpreting the blues songs of such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Mose Allison, Joni Mitchell, George and Ira Gershwin, Blossom Dearie and Abbey Lincoln.
“I’m always looking forward and I don’t like to look back, but I think that I’ve learned a lot over the years,’ said Allyson. “I still like those first CDs I made. They were just where I was at the time. But I think I’ve grown since then and gotten better.’
Over the years, Allyson has had numerous guest performers on her CDs, including trumpeter Randy Brecker, vibraphonist Gary Burton, bassist John Patitucci, drummer Lewis Nash, and saxophone players Bob Berg, James Carter and Steve Wilson.
She also performed a duet with jazz legend Diane Schuur on her recent CD, “Midnight.’
“That was a lot of fun,’ said Allyson. “I’ve always admired Diane, and I got to meet Barry Manilow, who produced that CD. That was very interesting.
“It’s always great when you get a chance to perform with some of these jazz legends,’ said Allyson. “There’s so much you can learn from them.’
Allyson’s versatility is due somewhat to her background. She started playing classical piano at the age of 5 while growing up in Omaha. Neb. By the time she got to junior high school, Allsyon joined a wedding band and began playing all different kinds of music. She later performed as a folk singer before forming an all-female rock band, Tomboy.
But then while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Allyson found her true love in jazz.
“I don’t know. It just hit me. I listened to Nancy Wilson’s album with Canonball Adderly, and I fell in love with jazz,’ said Allyson. “Everything that came before was building up to that. It was kind of an evolution.
“Having a background in classical music was a big help,’ said Allyson. “It made me more of a musician, and I still love to play it from time to time.
“But the jazz style is so great with its bent for improvisation and the way it encourages an interaction and conversation between the players and the audience,’ she added. “It’s great the way you can play with soul and heart and put everything you have into it. And after all these years, I’m still learning new things all the time and trying to find my own voice.’
Allyson said she was so lovestruck the music that she didn’t think at all about how hard it would be to find fame and fortune as a jazz singer and pianist.
“It’s kind of like when you fall in love,’ said Allyson. “You just love the person so much that you’re willing to do whatever comes along. I just thought that I loved it so much that I would go for it. ‘
So, off she went. After college, she played in Minnesota for three years then moved to Kansas City where she spent the next 10 years. She’s spent the past four years based in New York City, while maintaining an active touring schedule with stops ahead at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. the Dakota in St. Paul, Minn., and Carnegie Hall in Manhattan before trips to Hawaii and Australia in February.
“We’re working a lot, and that’s good,’ said Allyson. “It’s always good to get to new areas and try to expand our fan base. It really helps that I love the people in my band that I’m traveling with. They’re like my extended family, and we have a good time.
But she admits that traveling does have its downside.
“I think touring is harder these days because you have to go to the airport earlier and you have to wait longer,’ said Allyson. “But what can you do. That’s the business we’re in. But it ‘s all worthwhile once you come out and start playing.’