Karen Bernod

Karen Bernod
Karen Bernod
Birth name	Karen Bernod
Born	May 13, 1964 (age 60)
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	R&B, Soul, neo soul, Jazz, Dance
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, music producer
Instrument	Piano
Years active	1989 - present
Labels	Natively Creative; Dome Records
Website	http://www.nativelycreative.com

Karen Bernod (born May 13, 1964, Brooklyn, New York) is an American-born R&B vocalist, songwriter and producer. She is best known for her unique vocal harmonies as a background singer for Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, C&C Music Factory and D'Angelo.

Biography

Growing up in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy, Karen Bernod always performed in neighborhood talent shows. Her favorite songs were usually by female artists such as Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack and Stephanie Mills. The youngest of three, Karen is a native New Yorker. She attended Erasmus Hall High School which has numerous famous music alumni such as Will Downing, Barbra Streisand, Kedar Massenberg, and Stephanie Mills. There Bernod was very active in Music, Theater and Student government. She served as Senior Class president and was a member of the female choir "Cantata". She majored in Music at the State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY) but took a leave of absence after one year to pursue her music career.

Professional career

Bernod became the warm-up for The Bill Cosby Show. She was a principal in the off-Broadway play Mama, I Want to Sing! Her first jingle (Thanks to Bernie Drayton) was a Budweiser spot w/Tone Loc.

Shortly after that Bernod started singing background vocals for various House artists, which landed her an opportunity to co-write and perform the club classic "MOTHERLAND" produced by Winston Jones. Karen was the vocal (Doo-Wop) consultant and vocalist for Paul Simon's production of "Cape Man" with the fabulous Marc Anthony and Rubén Blades. She also recorded two of Paul Simon's CD projects as well as Ru Paul, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Stephanie Mills, to name a few.

Bernod traveled abroad, recording and touring with D'Angelo and Erykah Badu. Two ground-breaking artists who both broadened the minds of those who might not have been exposed to the Old School sounds of Soul music otherwise. While on tour with Badu, Karen received an invite to add her vocals on UK's Jazz Funk band Incognito album. She is featured on three cuts on Incognito's album No Time Like The Future: "Marrakech", "More Of Myself", and "Yesterday's Dream".

After touring Europe and America, Bernod returned home to Brooklyn and started production on her solo project. Her solo endeavor was now in full effect and she was excited as well as eager to give y'all some "Othaness" - hence the title Some Othaness 4 U. She chose this title because her music encompasses all of her influences from Marvin to Ella, Natalie to Chaka, Curtis to D'Angelo and Billie to Erykah. Karen believes we enter each other's lives for a reason, Divine Intervention. She wrote and arranged along with producers Greg Spooner and Norman Keyes Hurt. Her lyrical content is basically about Life-History, and Plain ol'fun.

Bernod's second CD, Life @ 360 Degrees, was released on Dome Records, the UK's hottest R&B & Soul label Other artist on Dome includes US vocalist/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson, Brenda Russell, George Duke, Rosie Gaines, and UK's JazzFunk pioneers Incognito. Life @ 360 Degrees brings forth Bernod's earthy three-octave tone, laid against an urban backdrop that possesses a sense of a family unity with strong soulful presence. Working with Greg Spooner on this project, again we get to experience her take on Life @ 360 Degrees.^[1]

Since the release of her second solo project Bernod continues work as a background singer along with focusing on her solo career and has begun recording a third solo album. She has toured with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, and Martha Redbone. Outside the stage her efforts in giving back to her community grows as she continues working as a volunteer with various youth organizations, human rights groups, and health organizations.

Discography

Solo Projects

2000: Some Othaness 4 U
2006: Life @ 360 Degrees
2010: Planting Seeds

Tribal House

1990: Motherland

C&C Music Factory (1990–1995)

1990: Everybody Dance - Japan release written by Karen Bernod & Robert Clivillés
1991: Pride (In the Name of Love) remix
1991: Just a Lil Bit of Love - written by Karen Bernod & Robert Clivillés
1996: Love and Happiness - written by Karen Bernod & Robert Clivillés
1996: I Live - written by Karen Bernod, H. Hector & Robert Clivillés