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Michael Karn
Tenor saxophonist/Bassist Michael Karn has been involved in the New York jazz scene for more than 25 years, and in that time he has worked with many of the music world’s most creative artists. Born on July 12, 1966, Michael began playing jazz in high school, winning awards at several competitions and appearing in the 1984 New York High School All State Jazz Ensemble. From there it was on to New York University, where he studied saxophone with Joe Lovano, and performed with the school's top ensemble, led by Jim McNeely. Upon graduating Michael immediately joined the Ray Charles Orchestra, touring the United States, Europe, and Japan. Spending 1988 and 1989 with Ray, Michael appeared the Northsea and Playboy Jazz Festivals, and at such venues as the Blue Note, The Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and the Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts. At the beginning of 1990, after two years of almost constant touring with “The Genius of Soul”, Michael resettled in New York. Since then, he has been both a member of several top-flight ensembles, and an in-demand freelancer. In 1997, Michael began working with organ powerhouse Charles Earland, remaining with “The Mighty Burner” until his untimely death in late 1999. As Eric Alexander’s hand picked successor Michael toured extensively with Earland, and appears on two CD releases on the Highnote label, Stomp and Irene Reid ‘s The Uptown Lowdown, which features the former Count Basie vocalist singing in front of Earland’s band. At the same time, Michael worked with former Jazz Messenger Valery Ponamarev in a band that included drum legend Jimmy Cobb. This association resulted in a recording on the Reservoir label entitled The Messenger. In late 2001, Michael joined the big band of Harry Connick Jr., participating in several tours of the United States and Canada. In his five and a half years with Harry, Michael, appeared at the 2004 Newport Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry, as well as making numerous television appearances in the U.S. and England, several of them as a featured soloist. He appears on four of Harry’s CD’s, Only You, Harry For The Holidays, Oh, My Nola, and Chanson Du Vieux Carre, as well as two DVD’s, Harry For The Holidays and Only You In Concert. A small sampling of Michael’s freelance credits includes performances and/or recordings with Andy Bey, Harold Mabern, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Christian McBride, Dave Liebman, Junior Mance, Hilton Ruiz, Larry Goldings, Mike LeDonne, Michael Weiss, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Billy Hart, Lenny White, Charlie Persip, “Killer” Ray Appleton, Danny Moore, Ben Allison, Dave Stryker, Mark Whitfield, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill Doggett, and even Run/DMC, the Temptations and Gloria Gaynor.
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Steve Fidyk: Battle Lines
by David A. Orthmann
Battle Lines, the inaugural release of Steve Fidyk's Blue Canteen Music label, bears the stamp of a rhythm section capable of adroitly assuming multiple identities. During large portions of three amiable, bop-oriented tracks, Bebop Operations," #Social Loafing" and Sir John," Fidyk's drums, bassist Michael Karn and pianist Peter Zak move the music along without any fuss or extraneous effort. Sometimes it's easy to take them for granted, particularly if your attention is focused on Xavier Perez's tenor sax or Joe ...
read moreMichael Karn Quintet: In Focus
by David A. Orthmann
Michael Karn’s maiden voyage as a leader reveals an accomplished tenor saxophonist who is capable of shaping the sound of a quintet like a veteran. His playing is influenced by Coltrane, Mobley, Gordon, and Henderson, but nonetheless has attained an impressive degree of individuality. Similarly, the band’s sound can be placed in the modern mainstream, and Karn’s choice of material and utilization of his excellent sidemen makes the music sound fresh and inviting.
As outright exciting as Karn’s playing is, ...
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