Five-time Grammy nominee with deep Kansas City roots returns to town. Here are details
Karrin Allyson was born in Great Bend, Kansas, and now is a jazz luminary in New York City, but she can’t get Kansas City out of her system.
As a child, she lived here with her family for about six years before they moved to Omaha. She returned to Kansas City in the late 1980s and cut her teeth in the music world here, becoming a local favorite and a respected recording artist.
“When I first moved there, I got a great — let’s say — education,” the five-time Grammy nominee said in a recent phone interview.
These days, the vocalist, songwriter and pianist flies in from New York to perform in Kansas City on a regular basis, assuming the role of returning hero. When Allyson kicks off the Folly Jazz Series’ 2024-25 season the night of Saturday, Sept. 21, it will be her fifth KC appearance in 10 years — but her first since 2021.
Since then, Allyson’s alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, gave her an honorary doctorate, and she was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. She also recorded her 15th album, “A Kiss for Brazil,” which will be the focus of her Folly appearance.
She is regular at New York’s famous Birdland jazz club, named after Kansas City native Charlie “Bird” Parker, and she heads the jazz vocal department at the Hartt School of Music/Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford.
Oh, and she continues to tour.
“I’m here to stay,” Allyson said of her career. “And I still feel like I’m growing musically.”
Allyson has lived in New York for about 25 years since moving there with Bill McGlaughlin, whom she describes as her music confidante and longtime partner. They met while McGlaughlin was conductor and music director of the Kansas City Symphony (1986-98).
In New York, McGlaughlin has focused on composing and presenting public radio programs such as “St. Paul Sunday” and “Exploring Music,” winning a Peabody Award for the former.
“It was a big move,” Allyson said. “But we knew that we wanted to make it. And I’m glad I didn’t go much earlier than that in my own life because I felt like I had a really good foundation by the time I got there.”
“A Kiss for Brazil” is her third release featuring Brazilian music (she sings in both English and Portuguese), but Allyson’s repertoire also includes standards, pop, blues, Broadway classics and even French chansons.
“You know what I hear so much about our shows: ‘I never knew I liked jazz until I heard you,’” she said. “My thing is so varied.”
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to see Allyson in Kansas City’s longest running jazz series.
When and where will she perform?
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St.
What music will I hear?
The concert will feature material and players from Allyson’s newest release, “A Kiss for Brazil.”
How much does it cost?
Tickets range from $31 to $66.
Where can I park?
Parking is available on the streets in the area and in the garage next to the theater on 12th Street ($10-20, credit card only).
Other things to know
▪ Ticket holders may attend Jazz Talk, a preshow discussion with Allyson hosted by Steve Paddock beginning at 6:30 p.m.
▪ Accessibility is limited in some areas of the Folly. Call the theater at 816-474-4444 to make arrangements.
Where can I get more information?
The rest of Folly Jazz Series 2024-25
- Benny Benack III and Stella Cole, Oct. 26
- Yellowjackets, Jan. 18
- Säje, Feb. 28
- Branford Marsalis, March 15
- Helen Sung with Bach Aria Soloists, April 5