Karen Jones Gospel Singer from Virginia Beach, VA

Karen Jones was born in Tacoma, Washington, where Noah and Margaret Jones adopted her. She was afforded the opportunity to reside in places such as Germany, Texas, Oklahoma, and Maryland because of her father's career in the military. At the age of 14 her family settled in Norfolk, VA. Being adopted into a musically inclined family, she was introduced to music at an early age. Her grandfather, who played the guitar, introduced her to basic musical melodies on a push button keyboard. She'd experiment more with the keyboard and started writing songs at the tender age of eight. Her mother, who founded and pastored JC's House of Worship in Pocomoke, MD (and later moved it to Norfolk, VA), was the driving force behind Karen's musical development. At her mothers urging, Karen would perform solos as a youngster and quickly developed confidence in her musical abilities. Karen fondly remembers, "My mother never ceased to tell me constantly to use the ability that God had given me. Karen became the church's main soloist and would perform original compositions, refining her skills on the church choir. She is the current Minister of Music at her church; writing and performing worship that helps lift and build the congregation. She holds membership in two local gospel groups, NDCC Community Choir and Doc Christian and Friends. She is also a member of the Gospel Music Association (GMA). She was nominated for having the "Praise & Worship Album of the Year" in March 2006 by the Inspirational Gospel Music Awards. She also owns her own internet radio station, "Praise Radio". She describes her style as a mixture of contemporary harmonies, traditional gospel, and jazz. Some of Karen's key musical influences were Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, The Clark Sisters and Richard Smallwood.