KAREN CLEGG
Karen Clegg : lead & harmony vocals, piano & keyboards, melodica, flute, recorders, percussion
Karen is one third of the core creative trio of jazz-fusion group ZOO. ZOO were formed in 2000. The current five-piece line-up (since 2008) features Karen, Reg Clegg, Paul Biggins, John Sanderson and Ian Beestin.
ZOO have released four critically acclaimed albums on Kent-based label Red Admiral Records, the most recent ‘MIllions’ (2013) and ‘Psychodrama’ (2010) featuring special guest trumpeter Guy Barker on 8 of the 12 tracks.
ZOO’s new album ‘MILLIONS’ sees them build on the success of ‘PSYCHODRAMA’ with 12 upbeat original tracks melding jazz, prog & funk together to create their most ambitious effort yet, full of exciting grooves, sublime melodies and expansive ideas.
Tracks include the energetic opener ‘Day for night’, the minimalist influenced ‘City’, the samba ‘Memory Game, the three diverse movements of ‘Sweeter than Nocturnes’, the hard funk of ‘We don’t need to know’ and the swinging ‘Everything & nothing’, first premiered at Matt & Phred’s in Manchester in 2011.
‘MILLIONS’ was launched to a fantastic reaction at Matt & Phred’s in February 2013.
ZOO also collaborated with Nick Smart in 2009 on the EMJAZZ ‘Rhythm-a-ning’ project.
ZOO won the Best Jazz Artist Award at the 2007 UK New Music Awards in London. ZOO have played numerous festivals and many UK Jazz clubs and venus, most recently Matt & Phred’s in Manchester.
Karen has been writing and performing from an early age, including Leicester Haymarket professional productions as well as singing and playing in numerous bands. Her influences include K D Lang, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Kate Bush, Queen, June Tabor, Ben Folds Five, Divine Comedy, Anita O’Day, Pink Floyd, The Unthanks, Steely Dan
Karen is passionate about creating new music with the JET Collective concept, and recording and performing it to new audiences, and has been an active force behind the JET Collective from day one, organising and promoting events, developing promotional and design aspects, and networking with other UK Collectives at their conference in 2010.
http://uk.youtube.com/user/ZOOmusicUK
www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_978
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