Grammy-nominated Karrin Allyson likes a good mix in her music

Karrin Allyson has been a favorite of jazz critics and fans since the early 1990s.

Karrin Allyson has been a favorite of jazz critics and fans since the early 1990s.

Karrin Allyson's journey to jazz was not a direct flight.

The singer, who has earned Grammy nominations in the jazz category, grew up listening to her mother play classical piano, and she was influenced by her minister father's love of country and folksier songs.

"I can remember as a kid harmonizing to Peter, Paul and Mary," says Allyson (whose first name is pronounced CAR-in). "That's probably one of my first musical memories."

Allyson grew up in Omaha, Neb., and was studying classical piano at the University of Nebraska in Omaha when she first took an interest in jazz.

"I had always sung a little bit, mostly popular material on the radio," says Allyson. "And since I was a pianist, I would go out and get sheet music to some of my favorite tunes."

Allyson began singing in rock, funk and pop bands on weekends and, later, began singing with the college jazz band.

"It really bit me hard, the jazz bug," says Allyson.

"I first heard Thelonious Monk in college, and then when I heard Nancy Wilson with Cannonball Adderly that was one of my favorite CDs of all time, Carmen McCrae, Ella Fitzgerald ... and a lot of instrumentalists."

Allyson began incorporating standards into the sets she was doing on weekends.

"I'd maybe play a little Chopin 'Nocturne,' then a Carly Simon or Joni Mitchell tune, then I'd do 'All of Me' or something. So it was a real mix."

Jazz, though, began to take over. Allyson formed a jazz combo and, after completing her degree in classical piano performance, she moved to Minneapolis, where she continued to hone her craft.

She then spent a decade in the Kansas City jazz scene.

"I happened to get on the scene there when other players were coming back after being in L.A. or New York," says Allyson. "I felt like it was a resurgence. I was working six or seven nights a week."

She borrowed money from friends and family to record her first album. The 1992 disc became a favorite of then-San Francisco DJ Stan Dunn.

"He was playing the record on his morning show, so I called him to thank him," says Allyson.

Dunn was also the West Coast radio promoter for Concord Records and played the album for the president of Concord Records.

The company re-issued the disc on Concord and signed Allyson to the label.

It was a fruitful partnership, resulting in 11 albums, including the 2009 compilation "By Request."

Allyson says there are times when making a living in jazz has been tough.

"It's not for the faint-hearted!" she says. "There are times I think I would like to just be a back-up singer for Bonnie Raitt or some other great soulful singer. Then all I'd have to do is just show up and just sing and dance - which is what I love to do. But when you're a leader in this music that's more challenging to the average ear, it's challenging. It's a journey, that's for sure."

She says keeping a balanced life has helped:

"I have other loves in life - my family and friends, my sweetheart of almost 19 years, and I love nature."

Allyson's "sweetheart" is Bill McGlaughlin, host of the syndicated radio program "Exploring Music" and, she says, he keeps her current in classical music.

Allyson says she feels like she's always growing as an artist.

"There's always a great distance to go. Listening to myself is very difficult. I'd much rather do it than hear it! But at this point in my career, I'm feeling more confident than ever."

And, she continues to keep her repertoire varied. The Knoxville concert is the day before Valentine's Day, so Allyson will sing several love songs, "but not 100 percent," she says.

"In live performances I feel like it's important to mix it up, because I want to reach everyone who's there."

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444.

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