Karen Lyu & Global Jazz are out to celebrate global music and connection — inspiring hearts, moving feet and opening minds through dynamic music from many cultures.




Karen Lyu & Global Jazz play eclectic global joy from salsa to jazz and Korean to Hebrew with soulful vocals sung by Karen HeaChung Lyu in several languages: English, Korean, Spanish, French, (Brazilian) Portuguese, Russian, Iroquis, Hebrew, Italian, Igbo (Nigerian), Vietnamese, Arabic and sign language (thanks to the help of friends and native speakers).

The Karen Lyu & Global Jazz Live CD is here! with Guest Artists Devon Evans (Bob Marley) and Soli Hughes (Sounds of Blackness, Flyte Time).

We are a dynamic, deep and playful multi-ethnic band based in Minneapolis, MN performing jazz and danceable world music. The Global Jazz core band is guitar, bass, drums and vocals. We can also add one or two amazing percussionists. Global Jazz has performed for festivals, schools, outdoor concerts, special events, benefits, clubs, wedding receptions and restaurants.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Karen grew up around English, Korean and Spanish in California and Texas before spending high school in Minnesota and getting her Jazz Studies degree at Cornell College in Iowa. After graduating, she sang for a year with the Eddie Piccard Trio in Cedar Rapids, IA, then took a incredible trip to El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama. Since returning to the Twin Cities in 1994, she has performed with local jazz bands, a Brazilian band, a Latin band and a gospel choir.

In the summer of 1997, Karen took her first inspiring journey back to South Korea since she immigrated to the US with her family when she was 4 years old. While staying with her aunt's family in Sokcho, Karen ended up singing 10 songs in 4 languages sitting in with an all-Korean band at the Blue Note jazz club.

That October, Karen woke up suddenly from a vivid dream of performing international music with a band called Global Jazz to a packed theater, bringing together an enthusiastic audience of all ages, races, beliefs and backgrounds. Karen Lyu & Global Jazz gave their first performance at Pepito's in January, 1998 and the original core band of Michael O'Brien (Swallow the Earth, Electropolis), James Allen (Nova Big Band, David Roos), and Edgar Oliveira (Mocoto Brasil, Mason Jennings) came together in the summer of 1998.

Karen Lyu & Global Jazz have played at the Ordway Center (World Party event), Lake Street Cultural Festival, Carleton College, Vintage Restaurant & Wine Bar, Powderhorn Park, Shakopee Ballroom and several other local venues. After many ups and downs, and Karen taking a break to go to school for website design, it feels great to be back!

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