Muncie-based singer Jackie Allen says she’s established herself in the competitive world of vocalists by sticking to her own goals and being true to herself. She’s earned respect for that honesty from critics, who have praised Allen for her artistic integrity and adventurousness.

Allen prefers the freedom to pick her tunes from various musical genres, from original tunes to standards. “I like doing both of them,” Allen says. “We like to take a standard song that people are familiar with and put themselves into it. It’s also a way for the audience to enjoy how something has been reworked.

“While I am reworking something, there is certainly a lot going on cerebrally,” she continues. “At least I hope so; it’s a dance between the heart and the mind.”

She’s looking forward to a live recording planned for this fall with a chamber group. A dozen different arrangers will prepare songs for the performance at Ball State University’s Sursa Hall.

Jackie Allen’s Leap Year Show at the Jazz Kitchen will feature John Moulder on guitar, Dane Richeson on drums and Hans Sturm on bass. Allen will also be performing in Muncie on Tuesday, March 4.