Australian Jazz & Latin Vocalist
Karen
Lane
"Sensually funky and soulful."
Recent Stages
London - Paris - Nice - Monte Carlo - Évian - Berlin - Rome - Palermo - Portofino - Cape Town - Bucharest - Singapore - Perth
London - Paris - Nice - Monte Carlo - Évian - Berlin - Rome - Palermo - Portofino - Cape Town - Bucharest - Singapore - Perth
Press & Reviews
"A lovely singer… Highly Recommended."
Michael Parkinson
"There's saudade, subtlety and feeling aplenty in this fine sixth album from the London-based Australian vocalist... Singing in both Portuguese and English, Lane's mellifluous delivery shines most brightly in two alluring down-tempo songs, 'Caminhos Cruzados' and 'Moon and Sand', both of which appear to hover magically in the air like a heat haze."
Peter Quinn
Jazzwise, on "Passarim"
"She is mature in her approach to her material. Although she is clearly still a young woman, the impression is of someone who not only knows what she is doing but also understands the human emotions of which she sings... We shall be hearing a lot from Lane during the next few years."
Bruce Crowther
Jazz Journal International
"When you hear her softly Latinised account of 'On Green Dolphin Street' the band resembles Astrud Gilberto in some kind of unannounced encounter with the MJQ. She swings gracefully on 'Devil May Care', and is sensually funky on a soulful 'Love Me or Leave Me'."
John Fordham
Jazz UK Magazine
"Lane and her cohorts have succeeded where many have tried and failed, bringing together elements of jazz and contemporary pop in a way that is mature and well constructed rather than shallow and contrived. Recommended."
Dave Nathan
All Music Guide, USA
"Karen Lane is a fresh voice and presence on the UK jazz vocal scene. She has a rare combination of musicianship, technique and just plain 'feel': one can sense that, even at this early stage of her European sojourn, her potential is that of someone who could command a worldwide, rather than a merely local, audience."
Keith Shadwick
Jazz writer & critic
BBC Radio 2, UK
"Karen Lane is a mature and experienced singer. A lithe swing and elegant phrasing marks her out, as does her repertoire, which mixes standards with well-known jazz songs and some attractive originals... Wholly admirable in concept and execution, the second CD demonstrates that this is a singer of quality and that most intangible of elements, one so often absent in popular music today — taste."
Bruce Crowther
Jazz Journal
"The CD 'Once in a Lifetime' highlights the different qualities her voice possesses, as well as the considerable interpretative skills at her disposal... It may be early days in England for Karen Lane in terms of overall career, but if talent is still a significant factor in the development of a successful jazz singer, she has good reason to be optimistic about the future."
Jazzwise, UK
"Lane is one of a new breed of singer. She uses subtlety, intimacy and controlled phrasing to get a song across. A fine recording that should satisfy the ears of many listeners. Her inviting voice, intimate delivery and a rock-solid band make this one to have in the repeated listening stack."
Randy McElligott
CHUO FM, Canada
"Her great knack is in bringing new life to tired old standards. Songs that are past their sell-by are given new life under her command."
Shropshire Star
"Once in a Lifetime is certainly the real Karen Lane. I know of no one else who sings with what I can only describe as her demure abandon. It's wholehearted but at the same time restrained, precisely phrased but not studied — a fine and distinctive singer."
Dave Gelly
Musician Magazine, UK
"Taste could actually be considered the perfect celebration of a decade in jazz... So laid back that to listen to it you risk slipping a disc — delightful. Perfect for those balmy summer evenings, a genuinely heartfelt homage to the profound allure of bossa nova."
Peter Quinn
Jazzwise, on "Taste"
"While so many UK-based vocalists merely go through the motions with a real book and piano trio, Karen Lane has surrounded herself with a lighter, more flexible group for this bossa-inspired album. But what really elevates the sound is the extraordinarily subtle arrangements of strings and alto flutes. Lane's own compositions are very strong too. Refreshingly good."
The Independent
"Lane is a low-toned, sultry singer who whispers into her microphone, drawing the listener in with her intimate way with a lyric. Karen's music is laid-back jazz meets salsa and funk meets lounge."
Jazz CDs Online
"She has a remarkably adaptable voice. No sooner had I categorised it as crystal clear, for it to turn breathy and sensual. It sounded cool and sophisticated, only to develop a thin, haunting quality, reminiscent of Billie Holiday, on the mournful 'I'm a Fool to Want You'."
Swindon News
Karen Lane Jazz & Latin Singer
BIOGRAPHY
Two decades.
One unmistakable voice.
+13
Countries Performed
30+
Years of Experience
2002–18
"Once in a Lifetime" to "Passarim"
Originally from Perth, Australia, Karen Lane is a rare breed of singer — one who interprets songs with subtle, intimate phrasing and great depth of feeling. Her impeccable pitching, sultry low timbre and rhythmic sensibility transport the audience to an ocean of tranquility on a balmy night. Her ability to interpret a lyric is informed by the wisdom of one who has lived a full measure of love and loss.
On arriving in London in 1999, Karen focused her energies on jazz singing. Her highly applauded debut album "Once in a Lifetime" (2002) drew the attention of the international jazz press and radio, establishing her as a respected singer, songwriter and recording artist.
A lover of Brazilian music for over a decade, Karen first explored the repertoire in English on her acclaimed album "Taste" (2004), then more recently in Portuguese on her fifth album, "Passarim" (2018), a dedication to Brazilian composers. Using her skills as a pianist, Lane re-works and reharmonises, refreshing arrangements of contemporary jazz standards, driven by funky bass lines and counterpoint — as can be heard on her quintessential versions of "Lullaby of Birdland", "Love Me or Leave Me" and “Devil May Care.” Lane has a naturally open, commanding and vibrant stage presence. Her infectious love for the music exudes from her and on stage, is the place she feel most at home.
She has graced many ICONIC stages including sold-out nights in the main room at the legendary Ronnie Scott's. Supporting Brazilian Legend “Deodato” at Ronnie’s on his UK tours. Regular slots at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, and Pizza on the Park back in the day. She launched her last album Passarim @ 606 Club in Chelsea and at Sunset in Paris. As well as performing at The Alexander Platz in Rome, she has performed on stages across Europe, Africa and Asia she'd never imagined singing on.
Her recordings have reached radio audiences on Jazz FM, BBC London Live and BBC Radio 2, and across the USA and Canada — catching the ear of Michael Parkinson along the way.
Her vocal command is underpinned by rare academic knowledge and depth: Trained as a Speech and Language Pathologist at Curtin University with postgraduate studies in voice science, directly with Jo Estill herself (Estill Voice Training) and in Speech Level Singing. She has served as an Associate Lecturer in Voice at the University of Surrey and was an invited performer and presenter at the Second International Jazz Voice Conference, Helsinki, 2017. Recent studies in Yoga, Sound Healing and Vedic philosophy have led her to becoming a certified Somatic Therapist in 2025.
Discography Five albums, 2002–2018
Discography Five albums, 2002–2018
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Once in a Lifetime 2002 — Debut album
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Taste 2004
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Can't Help It 2006 — with Paul Malsom
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Beautiful Love 2009
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Passarim 2018
Listen Now
Listen Now
Listen Now
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The Band
In good company
Guitar
Flute
Andy Hamill
Bass
Piano
Piano
Dominic Ashworth
Guitar
Percussion
Trumpet
Bass
Piano
Dave Colton
Guitar
Guitar
Credits
On Stage & On Brief
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Ronnie Scott's, LondonSold-out, main room
Pizza Express Jazz ClubSoho — regular residency
606 ClubLondon
Ellington Jazz ClubPerth
Raffles HotelSingapore
Café de ParisMonaco
Lord NelsonCape Town
SunsetParis
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Daimler Chrysler
Hewlett Packard
Bloomberg
Toyota
Saab
Sky TV
BBC
British Airways
Saatchi Gallery
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Jazz FM
BBC London Live
BBC Radio 2
Radio airplayUSA & Canada
Noted by Michael Parkinson
International Jazz Festivals
Watch & Listen - Below hear a selection of her projects including - “Salut do Brazil” and “Tribute to Astrud Gilberto”
“Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley Project”
In performance
Booking
Available for
select engagements
For jazz clubs, exclusive venues and private events across London, France and New York — enquiries welcome for solo, duo, trio, quartet and 5/6-piece band performances of Brazilian, Latin and contemporary jazz.
Available for International Bookings — Corporate & Jazz Festivals
UK · France · Portugal · Italy · Spain · Asia · Canada · Germany - Australia Netherlands - Budapest