BIO
Four-Time Grammy Nominee Karrin Allyson Sets Rodgers & Hammerstein CD Release, Featuring the Rare Pairing of Kenny Barron on Piano and John Patitucci on Bass; Out 9/18 on Motéma
Four-time Grammy nominee, singer/pianist Karrin Allyson, has confirmed the 9/18 release of ‘Many a New Day (Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)’. The 14-song collection features Allyson’s romantic, sly and swinging take on songs that have become part of our cultural fabric, from ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ to ‘Happy Talk’ to ‘I Cain’t Say No’ and numerous others. A full track listing follows. The collection, which marks the singer’s debut on the Motéma label, features the distinctive pairing of Kenny Barron on piano and John Patitucci on bass (only the second time the two have recorded together.)
‘Many a New Day’ is Allyson’s first release with Motéma. “I’m excited to join this great label and debut with this incredible project. I feel powerfully drawn to the world of Rodgers and Hammerstein, because of the classic American stories and the gorgeous melodies. It’s near perfect music.”
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s legendary musical partnership is among the greatest of the 20th century, resulting in such seminal Broadway productions as The King and I, South Pacific, Sound of Music, Oklahoma and Carousel. With her distinctive vocals, Allyson takes an array of these beloved songs on an elegant, intimate and joyful ride. Her arrangements, impeccably performed by Barron and 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.
“I first got the idea to do this while watching an “American Masters” program on about Oscar Hammerstein. I was so moved by his personal life, such a decent man, who stood up for his beliefs… and wrote about them in his lyrics. (Yes– they are so tremendously romantic too). I realized that now would be a perfect time to do these songs – innocent yet wise, hopeful yet nobody’s fool, calling us ever forward to be decent human beings. Sadly, the song ‘You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught,” from South Pacific (a musical that was written with the intention to fight racism) still resonates all too well today.” Karrin talks more about the project here. Motéma’s CEO/Founder Jana Herzen shares, “I’m really moved by what this great ensemble has created. Like so many of us, I grew up with these songs, so they are like old friends who get a subtle but fantastic makeover here. The swing and the blend of Karrin, Kenny and John together is pure confection, and I think Karrin’s idea to do this was brilliant. The music fits her perfectly; the songs are relevant; and it’s a great way to honor the 50th Anniversary of “The Sound of Music” which is marked this year. What really surprised both Karrin and me is that we can find no record of another jazz singer putting a collection like this together before.”
Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City on May 1st & 2nd, 2015, ‘Many a New Day’ is arranged by Allyson, executive produced by Jana Herzen and produced by Allyson in association with Grammy® Award-winner Michael Leonhart, known for his work with Steely Dan, Bobby McFerrin and most recently with Bruno Mars.
More about Singer/Pianist Karrin Allyson:
Four consecutive Allyson albums — Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane (2001), Footprints (2006), Imagina: Songs of Brasil (2008), and ‘Round Midnight (2011) — received Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album. ‘’Round Midnight,’ her 2011 breakout album, received 5 Stars in Downbeat and earned raves in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NY Times, NPR, Associated Press,
JazzTimes, Jazziz and scores of other publications. In 2013, Allyson was voted the #1 Rising Star Female Vocalist in the DownBeat 61st Annual Critics Poll. In 2014, her independent release ‘Yuletide Hideaway’ garnered coverage from top magazines and newspapers in America. She signed to Motéma in April, 2015.