ASTORIA — KALA presents vocalist Kelley Shannon and internationally acclaimed pianist George Colligan for an intimate evening of jazz at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Shannon and Colligan perform standards and originals by both artists. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; admission is $8. Cocktails and light fare will be available at the bar.

It’s a heck of a homecoming for a globetrotting songbird who first spread her wings in the company of Astoria’s famous coterie of painters. Shannon broke out her vocal chops as a teen at former Astoria art gallery in Astoria The Pacific Rim. Owned by her mother, Patricia Shannon, the gallery hosted Friday night jazz sessions.

Currently residing in Baltimore, Maryland, Shannon spent numerous years on the Portland jazz scene. It was there a few years back that she met George Colligan in a club. She describes their music collaboration as “That immediate kitten-and-a-string energy, real happy. The fascination factor was there right away. He’s just an incredible player.”

Colligan boasts an incomparable resume as one of America’s elite jazz pianists. He has appeared on over 100 albums since 1992 as sideman, composer or bandleader, including appearances with Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Buster Williams and Lonnie Plaxico, and served on the faculty of The Julliard School and Portland State University.

At the upcoming KALA show, “I don’t even know what’s gonna happen but I know it’s gonna be wonderful. It’s a beautiful conversation,” says Shannon. The two enjoy an improvisational chemistry and possess the technical chops to bring their bipartite vision to life.

KALA is located at 1017 Marine Drive. For more information, call 503-338-4878.