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Karen Grant Biography Following this long biography is a shorter version suitable for introductions, and a list of questions suitable for interviews. Ask Christian jazz recording artist Karen Grant how long she's been singing, and she replies, "From the womb!" And God has given her plenty to sing about - from adversity to joyful exuberance. A New Orleans native, the youngest of six children, Karen was raised by relatives after her mother died when she was 8. Money was scarce, and in the rough-and-tumble teenage social world, it was hard to compete. On Karen's 18th birthday - six months pregnant and a high school dropout, but determined not to become yet another welfare mother - she stood before a Justice of the Peace and married the father of her first child, a son. A daughter would follow four years later. With an infant boy and an uphill struggle for daily happiness, Karen turned to the Lord. And through the years - slowly, yet in God's perfect timing - she has taken possession of more and more of the land that He has promised her. Karen soon earned her GED, and eventually took a year of seminary training. Through local church bodies, participation in gospel choirs, and working in a Christian bookstore, she found fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters. But it was not until after Karen's marriage to David Grant in 2001 that the door finally opened wide for her to fully use God's gift of song. She started performing solo in local Christian coffeehouses. It was through one of those venues that Karen met Reggie Murray, the talented jazz saxophonist who became her producer. Karen wrote lyrics, collaborated with Reggie on music, and the result was her debut CD "Perfect Bliss," released in 2003. No one else was available for the job, so David reluctantly became Karen's sound man, sitting nearby, running the equipment. But neither David nor Karen had anticipated that God would use David's years of experience as a radio announcer to prepare him for the next step: becoming a part of the show. Now, at most of Karen's appearances, David sits on-stage at a table next to Karen, not only deejaying the music from a laptop computer, but wielding a microphone of his own as Karen's "designated personal heckler," as the two talk and joke back-and-forth between (and sometimes during) the songs. But you've never heard heckling like this before: Humorous, playful, and most of all, loving. Audiences often ask whether Karen and David are newlyweds - and they reply that not only are they newlyweds, but they always will be. An important part of Karen's ministry is how she and David model for others what the interaction in a marriage can be. When you see Karen, you can expect an evening of fun; and yet, the comedy doesn't overshadow the music. In 2006, Karen released her second CD "New Creation," taking on topics from childlike faith in God, all the way to teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse. Work on her still-unnamed third project has just begun. It's a rare weekend that Karen isn't out performing somewhere. Most of her appearances are still at coffeehouses and restaurants, but an increasing number are at churches and festivals. Nor does Karen shy away from secular venues; in fact, she and David proactively seek out places that are willing to expand their music mix to include Christian jazz. And yet, Karen doesn't compromise; she's so serious about singing "thoroughly jazz music...completely Christian lyrics" that she has registered that phrase as a trademark. Karen asks for your prayers as she presents a unique combination of ministry and Christian entertainment that even those who have not accepted Christ will enjoy. For more information about Karen Grant, visit www.KarenGrant.com. Short biography: Ask Christian jazz recording artist Karen Grant how long she's been singing, and she replies, "From the womb!" A New Orleans native and the mother of two, Karen has participated in gospel choirs, worked in a Christian bookstore, and taken seminary training. But it was not until after Karen's marriage to David Grant in 2001 that the door finally opened wide for her to fully use God's gift of song. She started by performing solo in local Christian coffeehouses. Today, after releasing two CDs of Christian jazz, most of Karen's live appearances are still at coffeehouses and restaurants, but an increasing number are at churches and festivals, and many are at secular venues. David and Karen frequently appear together, talking and joking on-stage between songs in an enjoyable comedy/variety format. It's a unique, fun combination of ministry, music that everyone likes, and Christian entertainment that promises even non-Christians a great time. For more information about Karen Grant, visit www.KarenGrant.com. Suggested interview questions:
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