Karen Briggs, violinist, with her band Soulchestra, performed Friday night at the Kennedy Center's KC Jazz Club. She was joined by Brandon Coleman on piano, Cheikh N'Doye on bass, Cedric Anderson on drums, and Munyungo Jackson on percussion.
Karen learned to play violin in a classical setting at the age of 12. She was the first violinist to win Amateur Night at the Apollo in 1981. She was prominently featured in the multi-platinum selling DVD/CD Yanni, Live at the Acropolis and on the DVD Tribute. With a music career spanning over 3 decades, Karen has appeared with such jazz greats as Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Chick Corea, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Itzhak Perlman, Yolanda Adams, Marcus Miller, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Betty Carter, Woody Shaw, Lenny White, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Kenny Kirkland.
Her sound is indicative of her exposure to gospel, jazz, Latin, classical, African, and R&B music.
