Kenny Karen

It only appears as though Kenny Karen were born in a recording studio. In truth, Kenny's career began taking form at the age of fifteen. Prior to that point, Kenny was just another Orthodox Rabbi's son combing the streets of his native Montreal trying to find a way out. From choirboy to Columbia Records artist, from the secure environment of strict religious training and the plaintive strains of cantorial liturgy to the emancipating rhythms of contemporary music, Kenny would sing and release a flow of energy that would transform an inhibited, obedient child into an experienced interpreter of dreams.

Before entering the world of commercial advertising singing jingles, Kenny paid his rent – barely – by singing demo recordings for a variety of music publishers who were attempting to place their music with major selling artists. For fifteen dollars, Kenny would be the man of the hour: Presley, Mathis, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra... it didn't really matter. Phrasing was the commodity and Kenny's ear and musicality would sell the product. Show scores were also part of his unique equation. Material never previously heard would come to life. The new kid on the block was sowing some wild oats.

While passing through the portholes of anonymity, Kenny continued studying with some of the masters of Jewish music. Shalom Secunda, Sidur Belarsky and Cantor David Kussevitsky, all in the latter stages of their lives, were searching to find worthy inheritors of their art forms. They, too, discovered Kenny Karen and through them he found a pivotal ingredient: a fusing of the cultural and theological aspects of the soul.

Kenny's pursuits of his cultural heritage are passionately expressed both musically and lyrically in his own classic compositions which include: "Tateniu", "Jerusalem Is Mine", "If the World Had Cried", "Ellis Island", "The End of Days", "In Every Generation" and "Kaddish".

Kenny was the recipient of NARAS' "Most Valuable Player" award for six consecutive years, and is the only male studio singer ever to be honored with the MVP Virtuoso Award, acknowledging his many years of achievement in the jingle industry. Kenny's voice has ultimately been heard on more than 15,000 radio and television commercials. To this day, he remains the last link of studio singers combining the artistry of the "golden years" with the ever-changing world of pop music.

A singer and composer of vast dimensions and depth, Kenny's interperative skills and musicality are heralded by those who have been privileged to witness his growth and maturation as a performing artist. His performancs are rare, his talent profound.