They played two duets together. Once Cowell heard her sing, he knew that this was a voice that would go places and one that must be recorded. After becoming acquainted with her, Cowell discovered that Francis was relatively new to singing - only having begun to actively study in August of 1992 - but not so new to music since she had played several instruments while in high school in Augusta, Georgia and as a music talent scholar at Tuskegee University in Alabama. A few short weeks after his discovery of this extraordinary talent, Cowell gave Francis her first professional recording opportunity and introduction to the international jazz community through an invitation to be a featured artist on a coming project. Overwhelmed and honored, Francis agreed to participate and in October of that year, her first efforts as a featured recording artist with Stanley Cowell were committed to history on record. This recording, entitled "Mandara Blossoms", featured the great Cowell himself, tenor saxman Billy Pierce, bassist Jeff Halsey, and drummer Ralph Peterson. It appears on the SteepleChase record Label - a major independent that has specialized in recording jazz and classical music for the last 30 years. Notably, SteepleChase alumni include monumental luminaries such as Ben Webster, Bud Powell, Shirley Horn, Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Rushing, Stan Getz, Cedar Walton, Clifford Jordan, Chet Baker, Red Rodney, Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Heath, Dexter Gordon, Jackie McLean, Larry Coryell, Gary Bartz, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Larry Willis, and Kenny Drew - to name a few - among which Francis finds herself in awesome company.

Four short weeks after the project with Cowell had been recorded, SteepleChase came calling on Francis to record as a leader. This was clearly an industry nod, especially in light of the fact that SteepleChase's roster of vocalists number a very select few. She accepted and several months later found her back on West 45th Street in the Big Apple recording her first project as a leader, which is entitled "Where Is Love?" This project underscores Francis' lyrical warmth and sincerity and was created in the company of pianist George Colligan also a recorded leader with SteepleChase, bassist James King, and drummer Aaron Walker. Francis, together with this sterling roster of talented musicians and friends, managed to create an offering that is warm, reflective, and moving.

As the months flew by following the release of the first recordings, Francis continued to further develop and refine her skill - studying vocal technique with jazz master Grady Tate, sitting in with visiting luminaries such as Harold Mabern, and playing the major jazz and concert venues in the Washington DC and Pennsylvania area - whose list includes The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, 219, Twins, Catholic University Concert Hall, Univeristy of Maryland, One StepDown, Blue Velvet Lounge, Washington Spirit Cruise line, and other such notable places. She also began to stretch and grow in style and presentation. Eventually she met and befriended pianist/composer and teacher Larry Willis - perhaps best known through his tenures as Musical Director and composer for the infamous bands 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears' and 'Fort Apache, the Bronx.' Willis assisted Francis in building on her already expansive repertoire and helped to further light her way. Willis- a jazz master in his own right - is also known for his varying tenures as pianist with other masters such as Miles Davis, Woody Shaw, Stan Getz, and Carmen McRae.

This liaison preceded and greatly supported her second recording with SteepleChase, "Little Sunflower", which features arrangements by Larry Willis. The arrangement of the title tune, Freddie Hubbard's Little Sunflower - was inspired and requested by Francis who heard and felt the tune in an unusual meter and came seeking Willis for assistance. This CD also features several originals offered by guitarist/bassist Gerry Eastman and features George Cables on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Aaron Walker on drums, Mark Turner on tenor saxophone, and Gerry Eastman, guitar.

Soon after, a brother-sister relationship with jazz drummer and historian Nassar Abadey quickly took root and began to grow. The influence of this relationship forged the beginnings of a new, more powerful, vocal style for Francis - as Abadey began to share his life experiences in the music and it's history with her. Later they would meet to practice and play music. The urgency, power, and insistence of Abadey's drum accompaniment on many subsequent performances planted to seeds for a style that will soon be realized as a reckoning force in all of jazz. Through this period seeds for a new recording were quietly planted and nurtured by Francis and Abadey and the birthing process for project number three began.

Today, Francis is now a citizen of 'The Great City' of New York and is preparing for the winter release of what promises to be a seminal recording for her, to be titled "Better Days", which features one of jazz music's young lions Christian McBride on bass, and a band composed almost entirely of recording band leaders in their own right Nassar Abadey on drums, Allyn Johnson on piano, and Antonio Parker on alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones. Bassists James King and Michael Hawkins also offer incredible musicality to this effort. Sam Turner and Barnette Williams round out the ensemble on percussion. This recording will be a profound and creative introduction to the new millennium in jazz and is Francis' finest and most exciting work yet. Here she sprouts and spreads her wings as lyricist, co-composer, and producer. When McBride was contacted for comments regarding Francis, he offered this… "Karen Francis and her cohorts are some of the greatest musicians I've ever worked with. Karen is not only a fine vocalist, but she is a fantastic musician. Not all vocalists are musicians, you know?"

Since the late fall of last year, Karen is currently studying with the 'singer's oracle' Norman Simmons, best known for his tenure as Musical Director and pianist for the greats which include but are not limited to Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, Dakota Staton, and Etta Jones. She is also performing regularly at the Up Over Jazz Café in Park Slope, Brooklyn, every Thursday night where she continues to groom herself in her craft. Also since arriving in the Apple, she has performed at several of New Yorks' hottest jazz spots: Birdland - one of the nations architecting jazz clubs, Cleopatra's Needle, Pumpkins, Red Eye Grill, The Williamsburg Music Center, and other notable venues.

Karen Francis is a voice that simply must be experienced! Francis possesses the rare gift of a pure, warm, and full sound; sincere interpretation and delivery; and soulful swing backed up by a powerful, flexible instrument with which she demonstrates tremendous control and taste. She literally "plays with" a song and her music is informed by warmth surely inspired by her southern upbringing and her naturally loving personality. She has an unusual sensitivity not found in most vocalists old and new - but one which is surely reminiscent of the great singers. And she is always interested in what the story is about - which she is more than equipped with the power to tell. This she does indeed with a style and grace unmatched in today's vanguard of jazz singing. Her work has been reviewed in major European and American periodicals and her music played on jazz radio abroad and at here at home. The world can certainly look very forward to experiencing this young talent 'breaking through' as she has truly and graciously received the spiritual baton from the greats and as she creates anew and carries forward the legacy of the true jazz singer.