Karen
Oxorn

Jazz Vocalist

“Real feeling and a subtle swing
in a deep, rich voice”

Karen Oxorn

Jazz Vocalist

“Real feeling and a subtle swing
in a deep, rich voice”

Welcome to Karen Oxorn Jazz Vocalist

I hope that you will enjoy your visit. I’ve included some information about my career, audio clips and videos, posts about the local jazz scene, news about artists I admire and follow, as well as articles about music and all sorts of other content. Please visit the Events page for occasional performance listings, and check out my Social Media links and subscribe to my email list for all the latest news.

It’s a little unusual to launch a professionally designed new site while my singing activities are slowing down, but I look forward to sharing content that goes beyond gig promotion. Although I am no longer actively presenting public music events, I will be developing a limited number of live and online projects and hosting performances by other musicians.

“Karen’s singing has real feeling and a subtle swing in a deep, rich voice.”


Ron Sweetman | Jazz Historian, Radio Host

“Karen is a consummate professional. Meticulous in every detail, she provides a carefully curated and beautifully arranged selection of music themed for each concert. Karen’s deep swing feel and gorgeous vocals shine through every performance.”


Marilee Townsend-Alcorn | Artistic Director, OLAC/GigSpace

“Karen Oxorn is a huge talent in the Ottawa jazz world. She has earned the title because of her rich, warm voice and her dedication to her craft. Karen has also impressed her audiences with her on-stage elegance and her sense of humour. When performing, she has a captivating way of looking outward, as though she is thinking of something in the past, or perhaps it is the future. Whatever it is, Karen is a real entertainer and we are honoured to have had her perform at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival.”

Bob Nesbitt | Founding Producer, Ottawa Grassroots Festival

“Karen’s first appearance at Merrickville’s Jazz Fest in 2012 was our opportunity for explosive success over the following years. As our first Artistic Director, Karen’s warmth, generosity and eagerness to make a difference, with her music and that of other artists, led us to a huge boost in our goals to provide a showcase for Canadian jazz musicians, and Merrickville is now on the map for great jazz. Thank You Karen.”

Peggy Holloway | Founding Director, Merrickville’s Jazz Fest

Talented and versatile Karen Oxorn is a very interesting vocalist. She has a warm and swinging straightforward voice skilled with ballads as well as upbeat songs.”

Jacques Emond | Founding Artistic Director, Ottawa Jazz Festival

I first heard Karen sing at a small jazz club in NYC years ago. Sultry, smokin’ and sass are three words that come to mind when I think about her voice.”

Shelley Russell | President, Diva Productions, NYC

Congratulations on a great tribute to Blossom Dearie. You sounded and looked marvelous and the audience loved it. Thanks for including me.”

Mark Ferguson | Jazz Musician, Arranger, Composer

Ottawa singer Karen Oxorn has impressed me over the last few years as someone who came late to jazz but made great strides thanks to her diligence and devotion”

Peter Hum | Jazz Musician/Jazz Critic, The Ottawa Citizen

I loved your Nancy Wilson tribute performance. The concert program was just the right blend of material with newer songs and the lovely old standards. Your velvety voice and textured delivery, especially on Nancy’s classic song, Guess Who I Saw Today, was heart-rendingly beautiful. People were just abuzz with how much they enjoyed the show and it really helped enormously with building the Music @ Mill Road brand, and the jazz cabaret in particular.”

Katie Diamond | Jazz Vocalist, Katie Diamond’s Sunday Jazz Cabaret

Karen is not only an accomplished jazz singer but an all-round performer. She captures an audience with her spirited style, with humour, with original lyrics. She is great to work with.”

Glebop Jazz Trio | John Haysom, Bert Waslander, Howard Tweddle

“There is no doubt that Karen’s spunky, classy personality and genuine passion for these jazz standards really come out when she sings. Her rich tone, song choices and creative approach to phrasing really make these tunes her own. She delivers moments that people can relate to in a personal way, as if she has lived through these songs; her heart is in every lyric. I have been Karen’s voice teacher and friend for some time now. She has helped my band organize our whole album launch tour, hosted a concert of ours in her lovely home and has given me advice on numerous occasions. Her drive, motivation and profound generosity just blow me away.”

Laura Anglade | Jazz Vocalist, Voice Teacher (photo: Maggie Keogh)

I thoroughly enjoyed our show at Merrickville’s Jazz Fest. Not only are you a good singer, but an excellent communicator and a good actress as well.”

JP Allain | Jazz Pianist

Karen is super-organized and really knows her material. She can really engage an audience and be in the moment, whether it’s improvising over changes or spontaneously creating a new set of lyrics over the tune. On top of that, Karen can really swing!”

Tim Bedner | Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Teacher

Autumn 2024


It’s been more than 25 years that I’ve been presenting jazz events in Ottawa and beyond; my first official gig for an audience was in 1998. Being involved in music has enriched my life in so many ways and I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I’ve had and the cherished friendships I’ve made through music. Although I am no longer actively presenting public music events, I will be developing a limited number of projects and look forward to seeing many of you out on the town for jazz and other genres of music.

Welcome to Karen Oxorn Jazz Vocalist

I hope that you will enjoy your visit. I’ve included some information about my career, audio clips and videos, posts about the local jazz scene, news about artists I admire and follow, as well as articles about music and all sorts of other content. Please visit the Events page for occasional performance listings, and check out my Social Media links and subscribe to my email list for all the latest news.

“Karen’s singing has real feeling and a subtle swing in a deep, rich voice.”


Ron Sweetman | Jazz Historian, Radio Host

“Karen is a consummate professional. Meticulous in every detail, she provides a carefully curated and beautifully arranged selection of music themed for each concert. Karen’s deep swing feel and gorgeous vocals shine through every performance.”


Marilee Townsend-Alcorn | Artistic Director, OLAC/GigSpace

“Karen Oxorn is a huge talent in the Ottawa jazz world. She has earned the title because of her rich, warm voice and her dedication to her craft. Karen has also impressed her audiences with her on-stage elegance and her sense of humour. When performing, she has a captivating way of looking outward, as though she is thinking of something in the past, or perhaps it is the future. Whatever it is, Karen is a real entertainer and we are honoured to have had her perform at the Ottawa Grassroots Festival.”

Bob Nesbitt | Founding Producer, Ottawa Grassroots Festival

“Karen’s first appearance at Merrickville’s Jazz Fest in 2012 was our opportunity for explosive success over the following years. As our first Artistic Director, Karen’s warmth, generosity and eagerness to make a difference, with her music and that of other artists, led us to a huge boost in our goals to provide a showcase for Canadian jazz musicians, and Merrickville is now on the map for great jazz. Thank You Karen.”

Peggy Holloway | Founding Director, Merrickville’s Jazz Fest

Talented and versatile Karen Oxorn is a very interesting vocalist. She has a warm and swinging straightforward voice skilled with ballads as well as upbeat songs.”

Jacques Emond | Founding Artistic Director, Ottawa Jazz Festival

I first heard Karen sing at a small jazz club in NYC years ago. Sultry, smokin’ and sass are three words that come to mind when I think about her voice.”

Shelley Russell | President, Diva Productions, NYC

Congratulations on a great tribute to Blossom Dearie. You sounded and looked marvelous and the audience loved it. Thanks for including me.”

Mark Ferguson | Jazz Musician, Arranger, Composer

Ottawa singer Karen Oxorn has impressed me over the last few years as someone who came late to jazz but made great strides thanks to her diligence and devotion”

Peter Hum | Jazz Musician/Jazz Critic, The Ottawa Citizen

I loved your Nancy Wilson tribute performance. The concert program was just the right blend of material with newer songs and the lovely old standards. Your velvety voice and textured delivery, especially on Nancy’s classic song, Guess Who I Saw Today, was heart-rendingly beautiful. People were just abuzz with how much they enjoyed the show and it really helped enormously with building the Music @ Mill Road brand, and the jazz cabaret in particular.”

Katie Diamond | Jazz Vocalist, Katie Diamond’s Sunday Jazz Cabaret

Karen is not only an accomplished jazz singer but an all-round performer. She captures an audience with her spirited style, with humour, with original lyrics. She is great to work with.”

Glebop Jazz Trio | John Haysom, Bert Waslander, Howard Tweddle

“There is no doubt that Karen’s spunky, classy personality and genuine passion for these jazz standards really come out when she sings. Her rich tone, song choices and creative approach to phrasing really make these tunes her own. She delivers moments that people can relate to in a personal way, as if she has lived through these songs; her heart is in every lyric. I have been Karen’s voice teacher and friend for some time now. She has helped my band organize our whole album launch tour, hosted a concert of ours in her lovely home and has given me advice on numerous occasions. Her drive, motivation and profound generosity just blow me away.”

Laura Anglade | Jazz Vocalist, Voice Teacher (photo: Maggie Keogh)

I thoroughly enjoyed our show at Merrickville’s Jazz Fest. Not only are you a good singer, but an excellent communicator and a good actress as well.”

JP Allain | Jazz Pianist

Karen is super-organized and really knows her material. She can really engage an audience and be in the moment, whether it’s improvising over changes or spontaneously creating a new set of lyrics over the tune. On top of that, Karen can really swing!”

Tim Bedner | Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Teacher