Karen Nunis Blackstone is a blues, jazz and
soul singer; as well as songwriter and fine
artist, now back in Malaysia after many years
in Japan, Singapore and the US, where she
sang in various collaborative efforts and
exhibited her artworks. The music she writes
and sings fuses the idioms of blues and jazz,
blending soulful world music overtones. Karen has played in various music festivals in
Japa
n, as well as the Mosaic Festival and Kinesthesia in Singapore; and more recently, the “Langkawi Blues Festival” (LIBRA). Recordings: Her first album, “Give Me Sanity” received significant radio airplay in the US and Japan, while her second album, “Dark Sun Big Rain” was nominated Best English Album at the AIM (Anugerah Industri Musik) Awards in Malaysia in 2009; and also received 2 nominations at VIMA 2009 for Best Female Singer and Best Genre Bender. Apart from performing in Malaysia, she has also played music in Japan, the US and Singapore where she has formed her own bands - The Cadillacs, Black and Blue, The Blackstone Blues Band, Karen Nunis and The Space Cadets. She has also collaborated with many talented musicians for live performances and recordings including poet Keith Tuma (US); singer- songwriter Jesse Phillip (US); John Schwab of McGuffey Lane (US); Small Town Stars (Japan); Lewis Pragasam and Asia Beat (KL) Julian Mokhtar and Dos Flers (KL) as well as Fasy and Reboot (KL). Some of her performances include:
Festivals: Langkawi Blues Festival (LIBRA, December 2018); Kota Dame Blues Festival (2018); Langkawi Blues Festival (LIBRA 2017); Green Beat KL (2017); Urbanscapes (2016); The Langkawi Blues Festival (2014); Blues.Com Gathering, KL (2012); Rainforest Music Festival showcases in KL (2011); Kinesthesia Festival, Singapore (2010); Mosaic Festival, Singapore (2009); JB Arts Festival, Johor (2009); Mont Kiara Jazz Festival, KL (2008); KL Sing Song (2008 & 2009); The Esplanade On The Waterfront, Singapore (2007); Akita Music Festival, Japan (2006); The Harvest Music Festival- MSUA, Japan (1998-2002); The Niigata Seibanaru Festival, Japan (2001). TV and Radio: NHK, ABS, AAB TV and Radio stations in Japan for both live and recorded performances; as well as recorded and LIVE performances for RTM, TV3, NTV7 and ASTRO. Live Performances: live music venues in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and America, such as Catwalk (Akita, Japan); various cafes and bars in CA, Ohio, Vermont and NY including Santa Monica’s premier blues bar, Harvelle’s (LA, US); The legendary Kibitz Room at Canter’s (Hollywood, US); Alexis Ampang, No Black Tie, Ril’s Bangsar, The Connoisseurs, KLGCC (KL), RP Club, Saujana KL, The Speak, Backyard, Forbidden City in KL; Timbre and Crazy Elephant in Singapore. KL, Heaven’s Door (JB), Mrs. Jones Parlour (KL), No Black Tie, Langkawi Blues Festival LIBRA (2018), and the Highland Games 2019, Sala Bar in Sheraton, Pisco and Alexis in Ampang. Functions: Events in and around KL for Martell, Bufori, Carlsberg, Time Out KL, Swiss Watch Gallery, Art of Time (Pavilion); MABC (Malaysia Australia Business Council) Gala. Contact:
[email protected]; WhatsApp: 010 438 4285; https://www.facebook.com/KarenNunisBlackstone/
