Karrin Allyson is one of the most notable jazz musicians to emerge from Kansas City in recent decades. She returns to her former stomping grounds for a benefit concert at the Folly Theater on Friday.
3 reasons we're listening to Karrin Allyson this week:
1. Allyson was born in Great Bend, Kansas, and honed her chops in Kansas City clubs before moving to New York.
2. Allyson may perform selections from Yuletide Hideaway, her excellent 2013 seasonal album, on Friday.
3. Meanwhile, however, we remain nostalgic for Collage, her 1996 album recorded in Kansas City. “It Could Happen To You” reflects Allyson’s penchant for seamlessly merging jazz, pop and samba. The track features pianist Paul Smith, guitarist Danny Embrey, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Todd Strait, Kansas City based musicians who frequently perform in area jazz clubs.
Karrin Allyson performs on Friday, November 18 at the Folly Theater, 300 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105; 816-474-4444. The concert is a benefit for the Folly Kid’s Series, a program that offers “cultural education to Kansas City metro area children.”
Bill Brownlee’s writing appears weekly in The Kansas City Star and Ink magazine. He blogs about Kansas City’s jazz scene at Plastic Sax.
