A Thirty-Year Recording Career

Discography

Explore Karrin Allyson's musical journey through her albums.

A Kiss For Brazil album cover

A Kiss For Brazil

2024 - Origin Records

This project grew out of the intersection of Allyson with Brazilian artist Rosa Passos, the pair having agreed to record a couple of songs that neither knew what would happen with. The resulting collaboration expanded into a full album celebrating the rich tradition of Brazilian music.

Track List

  1. Flor de Lis
  2. Month of March in Salvador (Dunas)
    feat. Rosa Passos
  3. The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)
  4. O Grande Amor
    feat. Rosa Passos
  5. Antigua
  6. The Island
  7. Manha de Carnaval
  8. So Many Stars
  9. Wave
  10. Only Trust Your Heart

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano
  • Vitor Gonçalves - piano, Fender Rhodes
  • Harvie S - bass
  • Yotam Silbersein - guitar
  • Rafael Barata - drums

Special Guests

  • Rosa Passos

    Featured on: Month of March in Salvador (Dunas), O Grande Amor

Credits

Production

Producer: Karrin Allyson

Recording

Studio: Teaneck Sound (Teaneck, NJ, March 22 and 25, 2023)
Recording Engineer: Dave Kowalski
Mixing Engineer: Dave Kowalski
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kowalski

Mixing Supervision

Karrin Allyson, Harvie S, Bill McGlaughlin

Creative

Photography: Jim O'Keefe
Photo Shoot Art Director: Mary O'Keefe-Thornburg
Hair and Makeup: Omar Rodriguez
Stylist: Vanessa Campan-Thornburg
Art Direction and Design: John Bishop

Additional Credits

Project Consultant: Nick Phillips
Shoulder to Shoulder album cover

Shoulder to Shoulder

2021 -

Karrin Allyson proudly confirms the highly anticipated physical release of Shoulder to Shoulder, a very special and timely album that celebrates the centennial of women’s suffrage. In addition to five-time Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson, the sextet also features Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Mindi Abair (alto saxophone) Helen Sung (piano), Endea Owens (bass), and Allison Miller (drums). Shoulder to Shoulder has an incredible array of featured artists. Guest appearances by Madeleine Peyroux (vocals), Kurt Elling (vocals), Regina Carter (violin), Denise Donatelli (vocals), Veronica Swift (vocals), Rapsody (rap), Antonia Bennett (vocals), Emily Estefan (vocals), Pauline Jean (vocals), Olivia Culpo (cello) and a Choir of over forty Women's Rights Activists. There are several spoken word performances that re-create the debate over woman’s suffrage: Harry Belafonte performs a speech by Frederick Douglass, Rosanne Cash performs a speech by Susan B. Anthony, Julie Swidler performs a speech by Alice Paul, Lalah Hathaway performs a speech by Sojourner Truth, and Peter Eldridge performs a speech by Elihu Root. There is even a brief appearance by Roberta Flack on the album. Susan Morrison of The New Yorker serves as an Executive Producer of the project, which was produced by multi-Grammy winners Kabir Sehgal, John Daversa, and Doug Davis. Shoulder to Shoulder seeks to re-create the multi-decade debate – warts and all – that culminated in the enactment of the nineteenth amendment. “We want to highlight this significant movement in American history. One that we shouldn’t forget and that is relevant today. It’s also one in which music played an important role,” said Karrin Allyson. A remarkable artist, Allyson is also an activist who feels equally comfortable on the bandstand, as she does at the podium making the case for women’s rights. In fact, she has a history of writing songs (“Big Discount,” “Way Down Below”) that challenge conventional political wisdom and call for societal change.

Track List

  1. Preamble
  2. The March of the Women
  3. The Great Convention
  4. Rosanne Cash reads Susan B. Anthony (1873)
  5. I'll Be No Submissive Wife
  6. Harry Belafonte reads Frederick Douglass (1888)
  7. Anti Suffrage Rose
  8. She's Good Enough To Be Your Baby's Mother
  9. Peter Eldridge reads Elihu Root (1894)
  10. Columbia's Daughters
  11. Lalah Hathaway reads Sojourner Truth (1851)
  12. The Promised Land
  13. Winning the Vote
  14. Julie Swidler reads Alice Paul (1921)
  15. Way Down Below
  16. Big Discount
Some of That Sunshine album cover

Some of That Sunshine

2018 - Kasrecords

Karrin steps forward commandingly in a new role — as songwriter, revealing thirteen new songs in an astonishing range of styles and moods. From traditional swing standards to romantic ballads and blues, this album represents a return to her songwriting roots.

Track List

  1. Wrap Up Some of That Sunshine
    feat. Regina Carter
  2. Just as Well
    feat. Houston Person
  3. You Don't Care
  4. Time is a Funny Thing
    feat. Regina Carter
  5. As Long as I Know You Love Me
  6. One of These Days
    feat. Lee Sklar
  7. Happy Now
  8. Home
  9. Right Here Right Now
    feat. Houston Person
  10. Wish You Were Mine
  11. Nobody Said Love Was Easy
    feat. Houston Person
  12. Big Discount
    feat. Regina Carter
  13. Shake it Up

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano, Rhodes
  • Chris Caswell - Hammond B-3, accordion
  • Miro Sprague - acoustic piano, Rhodes
  • Jeff Johnson - bass
  • Jerome Jennings - drums

Special Guests

  • Lee Sklar

    Featured on: One of These Days

  • Regina Carter

    Featured on: Some of That Sunshine, Time is a Funny Thing, Big Discount

  • Houston Person

    Featured on: Right Here, Right Now, Just as Well, Nobody Said Love Was Easy

Credits

Production

Producer: Chris Caswell
Many A New Day (Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein) album cover

Many A New Day (Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)

2015 - Motéma Music LLC

A 14-song collection featuring Allyson's romantic, sly and swinging take on songs that have become part of our cultural fabric, from Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved musicals. With her distinctive vocals, Allyson takes these beloved songs on an elegant, intimate and joyful ride. Her arrangements, impeccably performed by Kenny Barron and John Patitucci, manage to infuse these musical theater gems with a spare, sophisticated and intimate vibe that recalls the wee-hours in a late night Paris jazz club.

Track List

  1. Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
  2. Many A New Day
  3. Happy Talk
  4. I Cain't Say No
  5. I Have Dreamed
  6. Out Of My Dreams
  7. Bali H'ai
  8. When I Think Of Tom/Hello Young Lovers
  9. We Kiss In A Shadow
  10. You've Got To Be Carefully Taught
  11. Something Wonderful
  12. The Surrey With A Fringe On Top
  13. Something Good
  14. Edelweiss
  15. This Nearly Was Mine

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals
  • Kenny Barron - piano
  • John Patitucci - bass

Credits

Featured Musicians

Piano: Kenny Barron (Only the second time Kenny Barron and John Patitucci have recorded together)
Bass: John Patitucci
Yuletide Hideaway album cover

Yuletide Hideaway

2013 - Kasrecords

A heart-warming collection of holiday songs, old and new from Karrin Allyson. A warm, inviting and original set, this is a recording you'll want to keep close at hand in your collection.

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals
  • Chris Caswell - unspecified
  • Lee Sklar - unspecified
  • Rod Feeman - unspecified
  • Todd Strait - unspecified
  • Gerald Spaits - unspecified
'Round Midnight album cover

'Round Midnight

2011 - Concord Jazz

Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, this collection draws from a wide variety of sources, including Bill Evans, Paul Simon, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mandel, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim, and Charlie Chaplin. This album marks the first time in 13 records that Allyson plays all the keyboard parts — piano and Rhodes. The tracks are tied together with the same melancholy thread with which they were originally spun, creating an intimate late-night atmosphere.

Track List

  1. Turn Out The Stars
  2. April Come She Will
  3. Goodbye
  4. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
  5. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
  6. Smile
  7. Sophisticated Lady
  8. There's No Such Thing As Love
  9. The Shadow Of Your Smile
  10. Send In The Clowns
  11. 'Round Midnight

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano, Rhodes
  • Rod Fleeman - guitar
  • Bob Sheppard - woodwinds
  • Randy Weinstein - harmonica
  • Ed Howard - bass
  • Matt Wilson - drums

Credits

Recording

Recording Location: Sear Sound (New York City)
By Request: The Best of Karrin Allyson album cover

By Request: The Best of Karrin Allyson

2009 - Concord Jazz

Encompassing a variety of styles, By Request spans Allyson's recording life from her 1993 debut to 2007's Imagina: Songs Of Brasil. This collection, her 12th album for Concord Jazz, provides a remarkable overview of the musical journeys the thrice Grammy-nominated vocalist has embarked on over 15 years, featuring fan favorites and one previously unreleased track.

Track List

  1. Night And Day
  2. Moanin'
  3. What's New
  4. O Pato (The Duck)
  5. Sous Le Ciel De Paris (Under Paris Skies)
  6. Life Is a Groove (Jordu)
  7. Everything Must Change
  8. A Felicidade (Happiness)
  9. Sweet Home Cookin' Man
  10. Nature Boy
  11. And So It Goes
  12. Cherokee
  13. Next Time Around (Soultrane)

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano
  • Kim Park - saxophone
  • Bruce Barth - piano

Credits

Production

Producer: Karrin Allyson, Nick Phillips
Imagina: Songs of Brasil album cover

Imagina: Songs of Brasil

2008 - Concord Jazz

A collection of Brazilian songs performed in both Portuguese and English, featuring classic compositions by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, and other Brazilian masters, along with new English translations by various lyricists.

Track List

  1. A Felicidade
  2. Correnteza
  3. Só Tinha De Ser Com Você
  4. Medo De Amar
  5. O Morro Não Tem Vez
  6. Estrada Branca
  7. Outono
  8. Double Rainbow
  9. Imagina
  10. Desafinado
  11. Pra Dizer Adeus
  12. Vivo Sonhando
  13. Estrada Do Sol
  14. É Com Esse Que Eu Vou
Footprints album cover

Footprints

2006 - Concord Jazz

Karrin Allyson's tenth Concord Jazz CD features collaborations with vocal legends Jon Hendricks and Nancy King, while introducing Chris Caswell's inventive new lyrics to modern jazz standards. With a spirit that is, by turns, ebullient and affecting, Footprints shows Karrin Allyson to be a pacesetter among contemporary jazz singers.

Track List

  1. Something Worth Waiting For
  2. All You Need to Say
  3. Lightning
  4. A Long Way to Go
  5. Strollin'
  6. I Found the Turnaround
  7. Follow the Footprints
  8. Life Is a Groove
  9. A Tree and Me
  10. I Can't Say
  11. But I Was Cool
  12. Give Me a Break
  13. Everybody's Boppin'

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals

Special Guests

  • Jon Hendricks
  • Nancy King

Credits

Lyrical Adaptation

New Lyrics: Chris Caswell (Created new lyrics for several modern jazz standards)
Wild For You album cover

Wild For You

2004 - Concord Jazz

One of most lauded voices in jazz today—and, not coincidentally, a true artist who views the spirit of jazz as a license to let her boundless creativity run wild and free, not as a cage of arbitrary limits—the always-adventurous and engaging Karrin Allyson now presents an entire album of the songs she 'grew up with.' These are the songs that inspired the Grammy®-nominated vocalist to sing in the first place—the now-classic pop gems by such singer-songwriters as Elton John, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, and others. Artfully restyled by her unmistakable alto voice, Karrin's favorite songs are utterly transformed and unleashed by her untamed passion and unbridled artistry.

Track List

  1. All I Want
  2. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
  3. Wild World
  4. (Goin') Wild For You Baby
  5. Help Me
  6. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  7. I Got Eyes
  8. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
  9. It's Too Late
  10. Mind On My Man
  11. The Right Thing To Do
  12. Feel Like Makin' Love
  13. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals
In Blue album cover

In Blue

2002 - Concord Jazz

One of the most captivating voices in music today, Karrin Allyson's In Blue is an artfully eclectic mix of songs that range from soul jazz classics and ballads, to Bonnie Raitt blues and timeless Joni Mitchell pop. Each song – and each story – is vibrantly painted in glowing and swinging Karrin Allyson hues, as she passionately recasts them, In Blue.

Track List

  1. Moanin'
  2. Everybody's Cryin' Mercy
  3. Long As You're Living
  4. The Meaning Of The Blues
  5. My Bluebird
  6. Hum Drum Blues
  7. How Long Has This Been Going On?
  8. West Coast Blues
  9. Evil Gal Blues
  10. Blue Motel Room
  11. Bye Bye Country Boy
  12. Love Me Like A Man
  13. Angel Eyes

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals
  • Danney Embrey - guitar
  • Mulgrew Miller - piano, Fender Rhodes
  • Peter Washington - bass
  • Lewis Nash - drums
  • Steve Wilson - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone
Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane album cover

Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane

2001 - Concord Jazz

Karrin Allyson sings straight from the heart of the music, with a warmly personal style that draws listeners in and holds them close. Allyson's 7th Concord release, Ballads – Remembering John Coltrane, is a respectful homage to one of jazz's most influential instrumentalists and composers. Allyson reprised Coltrane's 1961/62 recording of the same title with the help of a crack team of talented players.

Track List

  1. Say It (Over And Over Again)
  2. You Don't Know What Love Is
  3. Too Young To Go Steady
  4. All Or Nothing At All
  5. I Wish I Knew
  6. What's New
  7. It's Easy To Remember
  8. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
  9. Naima
  10. Why Was I Born?
  11. Everytime We Say Goodbye

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano
  • James Williams - piano
  • John Patitucci - bass
  • Lewis Nash - drums
  • Bob Berg - tenor saxophone
  • James Carter - tenor saxophone
  • Steve Wilson - soprano saxophone

Credits

Recording Location

Sound on Sound NYC
Daydream album cover

Daydream

1997 - Concord Jazz

Karrin Allyson sings well-chosen, smartly arranged songs with a slender, sunny voice that swings hard and conveys deep emotions. This album features a mix of Thelonious Monk, Antonio Carlos Jobim, blues, and exceptional instrumentalists, including special guests Gary Burton and Randy Brecker.

Track List

  1. Daydream
  2. Like Someone In Love
  3. My Foolish Heart
  4. So Danco Samba
  5. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)
  6. Show Me
  7. Monk Medley
  8. Everything Must Change
  9. Donna Lee / (Back Home Again In) Indiana
  10. Nothin' But The Blues
  11. You Can't Rush Spring

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, percussion, piano
  • Gary Burton - vibraphone
  • Randy Brecker - flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Bob Bowman - acoustic bass
  • Todd Strait - drums, percussion
  • Paul Smith - piano
  • Danny Embrey - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
  • Rod Fleeman - acoustic guitar
  • Kim Park - alto saxophone, flute
  • Randy Weinstein - harmonica
  • Laura Caviani - piano

Credits

Production

Producer: Karrin Allyson

Recording

Studio: Concord Jazz
Recording Engineer: Dave Kowalski
Mixing Engineer: Dave Kowalski
Mastering Engineer: Dave Kowalski

Creative

Photography: Jim O'Keefe
Art Direction: Mary O'Keefe-Thornburg
Collage album cover

Collage

1996 - Concord Jazz

Jazz vocal sensation Karrin Allyson is back with her most exciting and eclectic album to date. Singing in English, French and Portuguese, Karrin's distinctive, brassy-toned voice and melodic inventiveness, improvisational spontaneity, and unbridled, charismatic energy bring a whole new perspective to jazz standards, pop classics and Brazilian grooves. A vibrant collection of musical styles, languages and rhythms that come harmoniously together in a colorful musical Collage that defines the talents of a jazz vocalist who is simply beyond category.

Track List

  1. It Could Happen To You / Fried Bananas
  2. Autumn Leaves
  3. Robert Frost
  4. All Of You
  5. And So It Goes
  6. Joy Spring
  7. Ask Me Now
  8. Cherokee
  9. Here, There And Everywhere
  10. Give It Up Or Let Me Go
  11. Faltando Um Pedaco
  12. Live For Life

Artists

  • Karrin Allyson - vocals, piano, percussion
  • Bob Bowman - bass
  • Todd Strait - drums, percussion
  • Paul Smith - piano
  • Rod Fleeman - acoustic guitar
  • Danny Embrey - electric guitar
  • Randy Weinstein - harmonica
  • Kim Park - alto saxophone
  • Laura Caviani - piano
  • Mike Metheny - flugelhorn
  • Claude "Fiddler" Williams - violin
  • Carter Brey - cello
Azure Te' album cover

Azure Te'

1995 - Concord Jazz

A jazz album featuring an ensemble of talented musicians performing a mix of standards and original compositions.

Track List

  1. How High The Moon / Ornithology
  2. Gee Baby
  3. Bernie's Tune
  4. Night And Day
  5. Blame It On My Youth
  6. Yardbird Suite
  7. Good Morning Heartache
  8. Stompin' At The Savoy
  9. Azure-te
  10. Some Other Time
  11. Samba '88

Artists

  • Paul Smith - piano
  • Laura Caviani - piano
  • Stan Kessler - trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Mike Metheny - trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Bob Bowman - bass
  • Gerald Spaits - bass
  • Todd Strait - drums
  • Rod Fleeman - acoustic guitar
  • Danny Embrey - electric guitar
  • Kim Park - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Randy Weinstein - harmonica
Sweet Home Cookin' album cover

Sweet Home Cookin'

1994 - Concord Jazz

A jazz vocal album featuring an ensemble of talented musicians performing a diverse collection of standards and original compositions.

Track List

  1. One Note Samba
  2. I Cover The Waterfront
  3. Can't We Be Friends
  4. Yeh! Yeh!
  5. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
  6. No Moon At All
  7. Sweet Home Cookin' Man
  8. You Are Too Beautiful
  9. Social Call
  10. Dindi
  11. In A Sentimental Mood
  12. I Love Paris

Artists

  • Alan Broadbent - piano
  • Paul Smith - piano
  • Putter Smith - bass
  • Bob Bowman - bass
  • Sherman Ferguson - drums
  • Todd Strait - drums
  • Bob Cooper - tenor saxophone
  • Danny Embrey - guitar
  • Randy Sandke - trumpet
  • Rod Fleeman - acoustic guitar
I Didn't Know About You album cover

I Didn't Know About You

-

On this CD, Karrin proved herself to be a great jazz vocalist, a leader and producer who can put it all together and a soulful lady who can climb right into the heart of your emotions.

Track List

  1. Nature Boy
  2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
  3. Chopin Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 / Insensatez
  4. (Pack Your) Suitcase Blues
  5. I Didn't Know About You
  6. Line For Lyons
  7. Jesse
  8. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
  9. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
  10. 'S Wonderful
  11. Save That Time
  12. Guilty
  13. It Might As Well Be Spring