Music in the Key of Love

Singer · Songwriter · Pianist

Karen Therese

Classically trained on the piano, and an accomplished soul, jazz, pop and traditional Native American vocalist, Billboard Magazine has described Karen Therese as the “Native American Powerhouse Vocalist “.  Her diverse cultural ancestry of Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Scottish, French and African American shine through her compositions. Lyrically and musically her songwriting stretches across multiple genres, mirroring her love of life. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota Therese spent her summers as a child at her family’s land in Tennessee and Mississippi.  She remembers hearing the rhythm of the blues and soul filled songs being played and sung on the porches of her Grandmothers neighbors which resonate in her own songs. Karen Therese has toured the United States, Europe, Australia and India and has appeared on national television in the US, Germany and Spain. Two of her albums, Heart of the Wolf and Warrior of the Heart, which were released in the US, Canada, Taiwan, Switzerland, Portugal and Germany earned her four NAMMY nominations.  In December 2002, she performed her music with the Spokane Symphonic Orchestra.  Her music has been used in the soundtrack for the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) documentary on Native American heroine Sacagawea.  When asked,, the highlight of Karens musical career was performing in New Delhi, India at the Sacred Music Festival by invitation of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.

The summer of 2018 marks the release of two new recordings. Therese’s songwriting, more refined and acoustic, feature stellar performances by many guest artists from  Washington State University Music Faculty. All songs are written by Karen Therese with both albums co-produced and co-arranged. with longtime friend and musical colleague Brian Ward.  Recorded at Washington State University state of the art music studio and Engineered by Dave Bjur these two latest recordings stretch into new musical genres and landscapes.  The first new recording is titled “Lullabies for Liam and Bella and their little friends around the world””and is a timeless treasure written for Karen Therese’s grandchildren This collection of original and life loving children songs are inspiring, soothing and tender celebrating the beauty and wonder in this life. Conciensious and positive messaging for children with memorable melodies and beautifully performed . Therese’s other new recording, “Reflections”, is a combination of tender and exquisite instrumental compositions and performances with songs “Shelter of My Love,” “Tenderheart”, “Love Song ”and “Winds of Calculary ”that feature Therese’s bell like vocals. Beautifully written lyrics that speak to love and life with memorable melodies that easily translate into movie soundtracks.