Karrin Allyson

Five Time Grammy Award© Nominee

Vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Karrin Allyson is a five-time Grammy nominee, originally from the Midwest and a longtime New Yorker of 25 years. A versatile bandleader and storyteller, she tours the world performing in top clubs, festivals, performing arts centers, and beyond.

Throughout her career she has led bands in a wide array of settings and collaborated with many of the finest musicians in the business. Across her 16 acclaimed recordings, she has showcased an impressive stylistic range including French chansons, the Great American Songbook, jazz standards with original lyrics, pop, blues, bossa nova, and tributes including her celebrated Rodgers & Hammerstein project.

A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a French minor, Allyson also holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). In addition to her work as a performer, she is a gifted educator and clinician, frequently sharing her insight and expertise with students and emerging artists.

Her recent work includes the all-original album Some of That Sunshine, the powerful collaborative project Shoulder to Shoulder: A Centennial Tribute to Women’s Suffrage, and her newest release A Kiss From Brazil, featuring special guest Rosa Passos.

A true communicator, Karrin Allyson connects directly with her audience as she sings, swings, and tells stories in the key of NOW.

Artist Inquiry

Kaleidoscope concerts

Singer, pianist, and composer Karrin Allyson brings her Kaleidoscope concerts to life with the warmth, intelligence, and versatility that have earned her five Grammy nominations. A beloved and distinctive voice in contemporary jazz, Karrin moves with natural ease through a remarkable array of styles from the Great American Songbook and classic pop to her own originals, French chansons, Brazilian rhythms, blues, bebop, and songs of justice.
Equally at home in an intimate club or concert hall, Karrin’s performances are a journey through melody, storytelling, and emotion. Her repertoire reflects both her deep musical curiosity and her gift for finding the truth of every song. Listeners might hear echoes of Carole Kings’s heart, Bonnie Raitt’s soul, and Ella Fitzgerald’s swing, yet Allyson’s voice and phrasing remain unmistakably her own – warm, direct, and full of life.
For presenters, Kaleidoscope offers a dynamic, engaging program that speaks to a wide audience. Each concert is thoughtfully crafted to highlight Karrin’s range as both interpreter and composer, supported by her world-class band. The result is a performance that feels both spontaneous and deeply grounded, blending sophistication with joy and a rare emotional honesty.
Karrin Allyson’s artistry leaves audiences uplifted and inspired – a reminder of music’s power to connect, comfort, and spark reflection.
Apple Music
“From Paris to Rio” String Quartet

“Yuletide Hideaway” features holiday standards and a few originals — very ‘feel good’ !!!
*also has Big Band Holiday charts (or for trio)

“Some of that Sunshine” features ALL KA original songs (co-writers too)

“Shoulder to Shoulder” French and Brazilian repertoire

“Ballads, Remembering John Coltrane –
Rodgers & Hammerstein, Great American Songbook/Standards”
In Blue — BLUES related material
Wild for You – Singer/Songwriter material of 60’s/70’s

“Mose Allison Tribute”

“Bonnie Raitt Tribute”

The “KA Kalaidoscope”

Show FORMATS:

SOLO:

KA @ piano/ vox

DUO:

KA on piano/vox with guitar OR bass

TRIO:

KA piano/vox with guitar and bass
KA piano/vox w other pianist and bass (so, I would stand up whenever …) *We also can add Rhodes or Accordion with this

QUARTET:

KA piano/ vox, another pianist, bass, drums (w/ Rhodes or not) OR *accordion for Brazilian project especially !
KA piano/vox, guitar, bass, drums

QUINTET:

(no Rhodes)
Quartet adding horn player or accordion

Other:

BIG BAND (KA has own arrangements)

STRING QUARTET (has arrangements) *also solo cello w KA @ piano

Selection of Full Orchestral arrangements

Masterclasses can be offered along with performances of any kind, either w KA only and ‘staff’ accompanist or KA’s band accompanying.

Gallery