Karrin Allyson Quartet

A five-time Grammy nominee, Allyson has established herself as one of the foremost interpreters of Brazilian music among American jazz singers. Her extensive discography spans bop and blues, pop standards, and original compositions, including notable releases like Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane (2001), Wild for You (2004), and multiple Brazilian-focused albums culminating in A Kiss for Brazil released in 2024.

Born in Great Bend, Kansas, Karrin Allyson is one of jazz's most versatile and acclaimed vocalists. Raised in a musical family – her father a Lutheran minister who loved country music, her mother a classical music teacher – Allyson developed her sophisticated yet unassuming style through diverse influences. She studied at University of Nebraska Omaha on a classical scholarship while performing with rock band Tomboy.

Currently teaching at the Jackie McLean Institute and William Paterson University, Allyson emphasizes authentic personal expression over imitation. Based in New York for nearly 25 years, she continues to captivate audiences with her clear-toned, emotionally convincing performances.