CAPTIVATED, AND CAPTIVATING
FROM HOSTING HER OWN RADIO SHOW TO PERFORMING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM LIVE IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS, KAREN WAS BORN TO SING
Karen comes from a musical family, and from a very young age she was always captivated by music.
“I still remember my favourite song at five years old, This Diamond Ring by Gary Lewis, played obsessively on vinyl.” Like a duck to water, music is in her DNA she says [referring to Lady Gaga] “I was born this way.”
She has been the choice for high profile Northland events such as the FIA Asia Pacific International Rally and New Zealand Rugby to sing the national anthem, and is highly experienced in performing both for intimate gatherings and in front of large crowds.
Karen has also performed at many Jazz & Blues festivals including Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Fiji and Samoa – and working with international musicians.
KAZ AND ALL THAT JAZZ
WITH NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN, KAREN TAKES IT ALL IN HER STRIDE
When she’s not climbing mountains or keeping the community safe in her day job, Karen is putting her heart into her music. She says “When I was younger I used to dream of being a TV presenter. Yes, a news reader and would read newspaper articles in the mirror!” Well, she got close and hosted her own radio show on Magic Music FM called Kaz & All That Jazz.
Then in 2005 a friend urged her to audition for a televised singing competition. Karen made it all the way to the finals by making a music video of her singing Billie Holiday’s It’s That Old Devil, an experience that was both thrilling and experience-building.
As a professional singer based in Whangarei, Karen has been working with supporting artists Brian Henderson (on the keys), and John Fraser (on bass).
Brian is a veteran in the jazz scene, both in New Zealand and internationally, and was the musical director for the Roger Fox Big Band for over 20 years – Karen says that he has helped her take her performance to new heights and is a big influence on her music.
Karen is also experienced in performing with other artists, and takes pride in being able to adapt to any situation.