Karen has performed on many of the Washington area’s premier stages and events, including The Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s concert series.

Her passion for jazz began as a teenager while working in a record store. Although surrounded by pop and soul, she gravitated toward classics by the Glenn Miller Band, Manhattan Transfer, Dinah Shore, and even Willie Nelson—building a unique and eclectic repertoire.

That early love of song developed into a professional career sparked by a chance opportunity, and by then, she had already mastered over 200 songs. Though she performs less frequently since becoming a mother in 2007, Karen continues to take the stage regularly at festivals, restaurants, and private events—singing jazz, her first and lasting love.

Jazz vocalist Christiana Drapkin has been performing along the East Coast for over 20 years, with strong roots in New York and a current home in the Washington, D.C. area. Known for her lyrical interpretation of ballads and bold, artful scat improvisations, Christiana’s style draws deeply from the traditions of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, and vocalese pioneers like Anita O’Day and Eddie Jefferson.

Originally from Germany, Christiana came to the U.S. as a Fulbright student, first discovering jazz in New Orleans before immersing herself in New York’s dynamic jazz scene. She studied with pianist Charles Sibirsky and vocal coach Barbara Feller, and found inspiration through workshops with jazz greats including Sheila Jordan, Mark Murphy, and Tierney Sutton. Her focus on jazz standards and improvisation continues to honor and expand the bebop tradition.

Jessica Lynn, “also the owner of JJ&T Entertainment,” has been singing professionally for over 40 years. Her versatility with all styles of music has kept her working from Washington, DC to New York, singing with bands, working on recording session projects, writing original songs and owning her own variety dance band called Invitation along with husband Jerry.