Karen Lyu swings, scats and soulfully savors songs. Karen got hooked on jazz when she first heard Manhattan Transfer at the age of 16, and has been a fan ever since! She has performed with musicians such as Robert Robinson (Aretha Franklin), Curly Martin (Etta James), Soli Hughes (Sounds of Blackness), Devon Evans (Bob Marley); been a member of groups such as Global Jazz, Karen Lyu Quartet, Pacha Mamas, Via Brasil, Bomba, Jazz Transit, Eddie Piccard Trio; and sung acapella as a solo vocalist since 1993. She's sung at restaurants, clubs, festivals, theaters, schools, conferences, churches, parks, benefits and more. Karen’s singing has been featured on National Public Radio, MN Public Radio, Democracy Now, documentary film, TV, radio and cable.
Karen always gets asked "How does that big voice come out of that tiny body?"
Born in Seoul, Korea, Karen grew up with her immigrant family in CA, TX, and MN, got a Jazz Studies degree at Cornell College in IA, sang in MN for 16 years, is now based in TN. She's also enjoyed traveling in South Korea, Spain, France, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, and Brazil. As far as she knows, Karen is the first Korean-American jazz singer ever in the US.
Karen is a voice expert for eHow.com, EzineArticles.com, and TRCB.com, a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and has helped people improve their voices since 1997. She's written a variety of original music since 1992, including songs for several shows. Karen's eclectic experience includes storytelling, acting, composing, writing, dancing, voiceovers, producing, one-woman shows, and 2 pivotal years as Executive Director of West Bank School of Music. She's always learning and exploring something new.
REVIEWS
"Karen Lyu's charismatic and elastic vocals enchant."
-Tom Surowicz, Star Tribune newspaper/KBEM radio
"Lyu's voice is gritty Sarah Vaughn."
-Lydia Howell, Pulse of the Twin Cities
"(Karen Lyu) can be-bop, scat and growl with the best of them; sing wonderful, lyrical jazz favorites...and also throw in an occasional opera number just to keep things interesting." (review for Karen Lyu & Global Jazz)
-Martha Vickery, Korean Quarterly Newspaper
"Karen Lyu, you are my favorite singer since Nina Simone!
- Devon Evans (Bob Marley)
MUSICIANS
Bios, music and info for my wonderful musicians:
bass - Jerry Navarro (George Clinton)
http://www.navarronation.com
drums - Ron Krasinski (Sheena Easton)
http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/profile/RonKrasinski
keys - Anthony Belfiglio (Branford Marsalis)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/belfiglio2
other musicians on the Karen Lyu & Fresh Jazz CD:
congas - Billy Ramirez (MuzikMafia)
http://www.myspace.com/speedys01
guitar - Geary Moore (George Clinton)
http://www.gearymoore.com
pandero - Leon Alejandro Berrios Areas (Kacique)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Leon-Alejandro-Berrios-Areas/632316619
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