JAM Magazine: April/May 1997 Issue: A Real French Connection

A Real French Connection
(Or: Notes from a Jazz Ambassador in Paris)

by Karen Ralston

If you've ever heard Karrin Allyson's "French Connection," you'll know that there is yet another dimension to Karrin's many dynamic talents: that of Chanteuse Parisienne, a Parisian singer! Her beautiful, near-native pronunciation of French lyrics coupled with soulful renditions of standard French ballads and their American versions, transport you via the Concorde SST straight across the Atlantic to Paris.

After Kansas City, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C., France was the next logical next stop for Karrin Allyson. It was only a matter of time before her acclaimed stateside recordings and concerts would take her to Paris for a chance to fulfill a longtime dream: a performance in the City of Lights. ...Paris, the city whose citizens love jazz as if it were their own; Paris, the birthplace of all those romantic ballads you may have heard Karrin sing on a "French Connection" evening at Jardine's or the Boulevard Cafe.

On February 10, Karrin made her Paris debut on the opening night of a two-week stand at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in the Hotel Meridien Etoile, right in the heart of Paris. According to Parisian jazz aficionados, this club -- made prominent by the jazz entrepreneur 'Moustache' -- is the venue in which most French performers hope to land a gig; and it usually takes years to get a booking there. It is also the same hotel where Claude Bolling and his renowned big band have been doing a Sunday jazz brunch for decades.

Karrin, accompanied by guitarist Rod Fleeman, arrived in Paris on Sunday, February 9. I met her in the hotel lobby that afternoon, surrounded by, of course, the sounds of Claude Bolling's big band. What made for the perfect start to this two-week engagement was the afternoon get-together we had with Claude, who, anxious to meet Karrin, joined us for a jet-lagged, post-brunch, pre-dinner apéritif. The maestro promised to return one evening to hear Karrin and her band.

Monday morning, 11:00 a.m. (at the club) -- A taping of a TV video promo, and a meeting and rehearsal with drummer Philippe Combelle and bassist Luigi Trussardi, the two local musicians who would accompany Karrin and Rod for the next two weeks. These gentlemen are well known in the Parisian jazz clubs and have a following of their own. Given the challenges of two languages, the first-time meeting and jet lag, the quartet would play very well together, and, by the end of the first week, they had become musically attuned and very good friends. Both Frenchmen do speak English, but it really wasn't necessary; all spoke the language of jazz. (Drummer Combelle told me later that, in all his years, he had never played with such an accomplished performer as Karrin who "knew how to get the most out of her musicians, and could make the job so easy.")

Monday evening, opening night -- What a thrill to hear club manager Jose Bartel's announcement: "Messieurs, Dames, Ladies and Gentlemen, Live from Kansas City, Jazz City, presenting: Karrin Allyson!" It didn't take long for the audience to learn what we in Kansas City have known of for years: the considerable talent that is Karrin Allyson. Karrin was at ease in this most awesome club (with its most challenging and demanding audience), and she sang mostly in English. But when she performed in French, the crowd was as appreciative as Parisian audiences can be.

Karrin's gig was a demanding one, consisting of two 90-minute sets, 10:30 p.m. to midnight, and 12:30 to 2:00 a.m. She gave the audience double their money's worth, her extensive repertoire of jazz standards, blues, ballads, bossa nova and scat charming everyone and causing them to ask for more. "Little Jazz Bird," "Lullaby of Birdland," "Yardbird Suite," "Night and Day," "No More Blues," "Yeah Yeah," "Star Dust," "Savoy," "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "One Note Samba" were each particular favorites. Karrin also sang selections from her Concord recordings: I Didn't Know About You, Sweet Home Cooking, Azure-Te and Collage. And guitarist Rod Fleeman was an especially big hit with the crowd. "Ce guitariste, il est super, il est génial, quel talent!" was a typically overheard remark. ("What a talent that guitarist is; he's a genius!")

As the week progressed, and as the word got out, the crowds grew, with some people returning night after night. Many even stayed for a second set. And of course, Claude Bolling kept his word and showed up to hear Karrin on Wednesday evening. He, too, was impressed by her performance. In fact, the following Sunday at his Jazz Brunch, he introduced Karrin to his audience and plugged her ongoing gig.

Although Parisians like to think they know English, they loved it when Karrin chatted in French between numbers. And when she sang "I Love Paris," they shouted back, "We love Karrin!"

If you haven't heard Karrin Allyson and Rod Fleeman perform the "French Connection" in Kansas City, make a point to do so soon. And if you already have, know that the next time there will be a lot more Paris in the performance. Because Karrin and Rod have finally made the French Connection. For real!

Bravo, Karrin. Encore a Paris!

Note: Karrin Allyson and "The French Connection" will perform a fund raiser at the Folly Theater, Sunday, April 13, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.. The event is sponsored by "Alliance Francaise" to raise money for the new French Cultural Arts center in Kansas City. Also featured will be Rod Fleeman (guitar), Paul Smith (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), Todd Strait (drums), and Pat Bunch (accordion). To purchase tickets, call 221-2049. Tickets are also available at both Phoenix locations for $20 (or $25 if you want to attend a wine and cheese reception following the performance).

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX

------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		A Real French Connection (Or: Notes from a Jazz Ambassador in Paris) by Karen Ralston If you've ever heard Karrin Allyson's "French Connection," you'll know that there is yet another dimension to Karrin's many dynamic talents: that of Chanteuse Parisienne, a Parisian singer! Her beautiful, near-native pronunciation of French lyrics coupled with soulful renditions of standard French ballads and their American versions, transport you via the Concorde SST straight across the Atlantic to Paris. After Kansas City, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C., France was the next logical next stop for Karrin Allyson. It was only a matter of time before her acclaimed stateside recordings and concerts would take her to Paris for a chance to fulfill a longtime dream: a performance in the City of Lights. ...Paris, the city whose citizens love jazz as if it were their own; Paris, the birthplace of all those romantic ballads you may have heard Karrin sing on a "French Connection" evening at Jardine's or the Boulevard Cafe. On February 10, Karrin made her Paris debut on the opening night of a two-week stand at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in the Hotel Meridien Etoile, right in the heart of Paris. According to Parisian jazz aficionados, this club -- made prominent by the jazz entrepreneur 'Moustache' -- is the venue in which most French performers hope to land a gig; and it usually takes years to get a booking there. It is also the same hotel where Claude Bolling and his renowned big band have been doing a Sunday jazz brunch for decades. Karrin, accompanied by guitarist Rod Fleeman, arrived in Paris on Sunday, February 9. I met her in the hotel lobby that afternoon, surrounded by, of course, the sounds of Claude Bolling's big band. What made for the perfect start to this two-week engagement was the afternoon get-together we had with Claude, who, anxious to meet Karrin, joined us for a jet-lagged, post-brunch, pre-dinner apéritif. The maestro promised to return one evening to hear Karrin and her band. Monday morning, 11:00 a.m. (at the club) -- A taping of a TV video promo, and a meeting and rehearsal with drummer Philippe Combelle and bassist Luigi Trussardi, the two local musicians who would accompany Karrin and Rod for the next two weeks. These gentlemen are well known in the Parisian jazz clubs and have a following of their own. Given the challenges of two languages, the first-time meeting and jet lag, the quartet would play very well together, and, by the end of the first week, they had become musically attuned and very good friends. Both Frenchmen do speak English, but it really wasn't necessary; all spoke the language of jazz. (Drummer Combelle told me later that, in all his years, he had never played with such an accomplished performer as Karrin who "knew how to get the most out of her musicians, and could make the job so easy.") Monday evening, opening night -- What a thrill to hear club manager Jose Bartel's announcement: "Messieurs, Dames, Ladies and Gentlemen, Live from Kansas City, Jazz City, presenting: Karrin Allyson!" It didn't take long for the audience to learn what we in Kansas City have known of for years: the considerable talent that is Karrin Allyson. Karrin was at ease in this most awesome club (with its most challenging and demanding audience), and she sang mostly in English. But when she performed in French, the crowd was as appreciative as Parisian audiences can be. Karrin's gig was a demanding one, consisting of two 90-minute sets, 10:30 p.m. to midnight, and 12:30 to 2:00 a.m. She gave the audience double their money's worth, her extensive repertoire of jazz standards, blues, ballads, bossa nova and scat charming everyone and causing them to ask for more. "Little Jazz Bird," "Lullaby of Birdland," "Yardbird Suite," "Night and Day," "No More Blues," "Yeah Yeah," "Star Dust," "Savoy," "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "One Note Samba" were each particular favorites. Karrin also sang selections from her Concord recordings: I Didn't Know About You, Sweet Home Cooking, Azure-Te and Collage. And guitarist Rod Fleeman was an especially big hit with the crowd. "Ce guitariste, il est super, il est génial, quel talent!" was a typically overheard remark. ("What a talent that guitarist is; he's a genius!") As the week progressed, and as the word got out, the crowds grew, with some people returning night after night. Many even stayed for a second set. And of course, Claude Bolling kept his word and showed up to hear Karrin on Wednesday evening. He, too, was impressed by her performance. In fact, the following Sunday at his Jazz Brunch, he introduced Karrin to his audience and plugged her ongoing gig. Although Parisians like to think they know English, they loved it when Karrin chatted in French between numbers. And when she sang "I Love Paris," they shouted back, "We love Karrin!" If you haven't heard Karrin Allyson and Rod Fleeman perform the "French Connection" in Kansas City, make a point to do so soon. And if you already have, know that the next time there will be a lot more Paris in the performance. Because Karrin and Rod have finally made the French Connection. For real! Bravo, Karrin. Encore a Paris! Note: Karrin Allyson and "The French Connection" will perform a fund raiser at the Folly Theater, Sunday, April 13, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.. The event is sponsored by "Alliance Francaise" to raise money for the new French Cultural Arts center in Kansas City. Also featured will be Rod Fleeman (guitar), Paul Smith (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), Todd Strait (drums), and Pat Bunch (accordion). To purchase tickets, call 221-2049. Tickets are also available at both Phoenix locations for $20 (or $25 if you want to attend a wine and cheese reception following the performance). RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.