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Karen Lyu & Global Jazz are out to celebrate global music and connection — inspiring hearts, moving feet and opening minds with eclectic global joy from salsa to jazz and Korean to Hebrew. Karen HeaChung Lyu loves to sing soulful, soaring songs in several languages and styles, backed by a multicultural mix of excellent Twin Cities musicians.
So what does that mean exactly? Our music is inspired by playfully contagious jazz of Ella Fitzgerald, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Janis Siegel & Carmen McRae, the Latin rhythms and heart of crossover artists Gloria Estefan & Selena; soulfully expressive vocals in an eclectic personal style a la Eva Cassidy, Bruce Anthony Henry & Holly Cole; songs Karen's grandma sang to her; international ethnic folk and dance traditions; and the universal soul and solidarity of Paul Robeson, Nina Simone and Ruben Blades. Songs are sung in English, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Hebrew, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Iroquis, Hindi and signed English (thanks to the help of friends and native speakers).
In the summer of 1997, Karen took her first inspiring journey back to South Korea. While staying with her aunt's family, Karen ended up singing 10 songs in 4 languages sitting in with an all-Korean band at the Sokcho Blue Note jazz club!
Since 1998, Global Jazz has performed for festivals, colleges, conferences, wedding receptions, outdoor concerts, special events, clubs, schools, benefits, restaurants and more.
PS: Karen always gets asked, "How does that huge voice come out that tiny body?"
Listen to soundclips from the Karen Lyu
& Global Jazz Live CD with guest artists Soli Hughes (Sounds of Blackness) and Devon Evans (Bob Marley).
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