Karrin Allyson

Few American jazz vocalists have cultivated as extensive and rewarding a connection with Brazilian music as Karrin Allyson. Her early albums featured classics like “Corcovado” and “One Note Samba”; her 1999 recording, From Paris to Rio, balanced tracks from both cities’ rich musical traditions; 2008’s Imagina: Songs of Brazil explored the soundscapes of Rio even further, and now comes another fully Brazilian collection, A Kiss for Brazil, with the added treat of the legendary Bahian singer-guitarist Rosa Passos contributing to two tracks.

What stands out about Allyson’s continuing journey into Brazilian music is her dedication to fresh material—she has yet to record the same song twice. Looking over the tracklist for A Kiss for Brazil, which features Luiz Bonfá’s “Manhã de Carnaval” and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Wave,” you might wonder why it’s taken her this long to interpret such iconic songs. One simple reason: Brazilian music offers an endless wealth of extraordinary pieces to choose from. Add to that the fact that Allyson has consistently been one of jazz’s most versatile and admired vocalists, with numerous projects demanding her attention.

Nominated for five Grammys, Allyson has explored bebop and blues, pop, and cherished standards, all while penning original material. Her celebrated 2001 release, Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane, showcased songs from Coltrane’s 1963 classic album along with three other selections linked to him. In 2004, she embraced singer-songwriter pop on Wild for You, featuring tracks by Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Carole King, and Carly Simon—a return to what she calls “my first love.” And on 2015’s Many a New Day, she honored the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein alongside the esteemed pianist Kenny Barron.