SteelSoul Biographies;

Karen Graves - Saxophone, Flute, Vocals

This multifaceted musician grew up in Lantzville, on Vancouver Island. She earned a two year Jazz Diploma from the acclaimed Malaspina College and has also studied with renowned Russian voice instructor, Nikolai Kolesnikov, and saxophonists Pete Christieb and Pat Labarbra.
Now Residing in Vancouver, Karen has the pleasure of playing with stellar musicians such as the beautiful Linton Garner; Canadian icon, drummer Claude Ranger; French bassist Joelle Rabu; Vinnie Golia; Will Bernard and Motherbug; Indian classical vocalist Shweta Jhaveri; The Temptations; Long John Baldry and many more.
While playing with the Banff Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Hugh Fraser, Karen had the honour of studying with and performing in concert with Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Muhal Richard Abrahms, Chucho Valdez and Kenny Wheeler.
A gifted composer, Karen leads her own band and keeps busy as a regular sideman with bands such as ten piece soul/funk band Soulstream; French lounge swing band, Mimosa; Ta Ki Ta, a melding of jazz and Indian classical music; instrumental jazz band, Out of the Woods; and The Hitmen XB, with Tom Arntzen. Karen records regularly and has contributed to many CDs.