Karen Briggs profile picture

Karen Briggs

THE SOULCHESTRA OF KAREN BRIGGS

About Me

ALL HAIL KISS'HA CHOICE MY PROFILE EDITOR/GODDESS


View my page on THE JAZZ NETWORK

Karen's live performances are "electrifying and explosive!"
She was born in New York City and raised in Portsmouth, VA where she learned to play violin in a classroom setting at the age of 12.
Her style encompasses a unique melismatic, 'vocal-like' soul, thus giving her a rare and distinguishable signature of sound.
She has been sought after to record or appear in a wide variety of musical situations ranging from Symphony (The Virginia Symphony) Gospel to Jazz, Latin Music (Francisco Aguabella/Benesi) to Hip Hop (Wu Tang Clan, Hidden Beach: Unwrapped Volumes I - IV).Another noteworthy fact is that Karen is thee first violinist to win Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater!
Described as "that lady in red", her fiery performances in the multi-platinum selling, "Yanni: Live at the Acropolis" PBS special has been seen and remembered by literally millions of people around the world.
In between touring, sessions and live guest appearances, Karen is in the final stages of completing a long awaited solo CD called, "Soulchestral Groove", a release which features her in her own light as a composer, player, and arranger!
Please enjoy a preview of some of her music and videos.
If there are any booking inquiries, please leave an email message.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/10/2006
Band Members:

With a music career spanning over three decades, here is a brief listing of collaborations in the jazz genre:

Jazz heavyweights to include:

•Alan Holdsworth • André Manga • Bela Fleck (see video) • Bennie Maupin • Billy Higgins • Bobby Lyle • Chaka Khan • Dave Grusin • Diane Reeves • Francisco Aguabella • George Duke • Geri Allen • Jeff "Tain" Watts • Kenny Kirkland • Kevin Toney • Ledisi • Leonard Feather (1st Jazz Review) • Lenny White • Les McCann • Luis Conte • Marcus Miller • Milcho Leviev • Mike Phillips • Munyungo Jackson • Nathan East • Nedra Wheeler•Patrice Rushen • Richard Schumacher • Stanley Clarke (see video)• Steve Turre • Straight Ahead • Teddy Edwards • Terri Lynn Carrington • Tommy Davidson • Vertü • Vi Redd • Wynton Marsalis • Women In Jazz (The Kennedy Center)

As a featured soloist, she has worked with a wide pantheon of noteworthy Artists and Producers in other musical genres ranging from Pop to R & B, from charanga to New Age from Hip Hop to Bluegrass:

•Andy Garcia • Arif Mardin • Benise • Cheryl Pepsii Riley • Donnie McClurkin • Howard Hewitt • India.Arie • Jewel Diamond Taylor: Motivational Speaker, • Juan Sebastian • Keb-Mo • Kenny Loggins • Kirk Franklin • Loose Ends • Marcus Hummon • Mary-Mary • Nicholas Gunn • NoJazz • Rza • Soul II Soul • The Talieson Orchestra • The Unwrapped Band • Vinx • Yanni • Yolanda Adams

Noteable DVD, Movie & TV feature Appearances:
• "Night School" DVD with Stanley Clarke and Bela Fleck
• "The Bobby Jones Gospel Show"
• "Nights of Fire" DVD with Benesi
• "Music of The Heart" starring Meryl Streep
• "Tribute" DVD
• "Yanni: Live At The Acropolis" DVD
Influences:
View my page on THE JAZZ NETWORK

Record Label: UNSIGNED
Type of Label: Indie