JAZZ SINGER, COMPOSER
official website -
myspace page
Vocalist and Composer Karen Johns
combines her ability to swoon the listener with sultry, jazz vocals and swinging
original compositions that further highlight her abilities to create a stellar
offering of her own jazz standards, which stand on their own next to the classic
and timeless American Songbook selections. Together with her husband producer/composer/guitarist
James Johns, Karen has written and produced seven CD albums including two
standard jazz albums released on PtarmiganMusic/Jazz; and five gospel albums
released on Isaiah12Records; all published by Vital Force (ASCAP). Every one of
the Karen Johns' album projects renders recorded performances by some of Music
City's finest session players. Her co-writers and arrangers include Kevin
Sanders, Lori Mechem, James Johns, Justin Kessler, Joel Bolen, and Jim Hoke.
Karen Johns has also recorded several lead vocals for Stormworks Productions
film soundtrack recordings. Her rendition of the ballad, "I Never Had a Love
Like You" composed by Stephen Melillo, was featured in the Miramax film
Benefit of the Doubt starring Donald Sutherland and Amy Irving.
Born in Washington State and raised in Alaska, from early childhood to college,
Karen was privately and formally educated in what is known as 'triple threat'
theater performance including voice, dance, and acting. A graduate of the Alaska
Conservatory of Music, Karen studied voice under Gloria Marinacci (Bella Donna,
Portland Opera; Metropolitan Opera Regional Judge). She was three-time State
Champion Actor, and lead actress/singer cast in professional dinner theater and
light opera. Throughout her educational career, Karen was the recipient of six
performing arts scholarships. In pursuit of her BA Degree with a music major and
journalism minor, her undergraduate studies took her to San Francisco State
University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
While overseas, Karen traveled extensively throughout Europe, Russia, and
Israel. Karen was also the recipient of the Phi Beta Patrons Scholarship for
Performing Arts, and winner of the Miss Lane County Pageant title. Winning the
talent scholarship division with her vocal performance in Latin, Karen won
second runner-up to Miss Oregon in the Miss America Pageant state division.
After college, Karen moved to Seattle where she met her husband James Johns. The
two songwriters formed an original rock band and performed in venues throughout
Seattle and the state of Washington. Making a rather unique decision, the Johns
couple earned money to purchase their first professional recording studio by
working for a year on a 350' fishing vessel in Alaska's Bering Sea. Soon after
that oceanic venture, they moved to Nashville and began writing and recording
songs for ASCAP publishing company Vital Force.
In the late 1990's, Karen and James moved their family to Canada to pursue
graduate studies. Karen Johns obtained an MA Degree in Theology at Canadian
Theological Seminary. During their four years in Canada, Karen toured with an
international band and began writing and filming a joint Canadian/USA
documentary film, Profiles from Womb to War. The Johns family returned to
the USA the summer of 2002. Inspired by her studies and songwriting
collaborations at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Karen formed the jazz band Karen
Johns & Company in 2004. Karen Johns currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee with
her husband James, and their two sons. Karen Johns is a member of the Tennessee
Valley Jazz Society in Huntsville, Alabama.
KAREN JOHNS & COMPANY - STAR AND
SEASON (2008)
many thanks to KARI-ON PRODUCTIONS
Straight ahead swinging and Latin
Jazz standards and originals in the tradition of classic, Real-Book jazz
Karen Johns- vocals
Kevin Sanders- piano, keys
James Johns- guitars, duet vocals on Angels In the Snow
Brook Sutton- bass
Bart Elliott- drums, percussion
Jim Hoke- saxophones, clarinet
Mark Horwitz- flute, trombone
Ben Graves- mandolin
more
tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
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