“Karns is an outstanding trumpeter, but it’s his composing and arranging that sets him apart” –so says Tom Surowicz of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. For the past eight years Keith Karns has been exploring the boundaries of big band jazz. His twenty piece, Texas-based group has toured nationally, proclaiming a brand of jazz that is at once fresh, while still harkening back to the big band traditions of Basie, Thad Jones, and Bob Brookmeyer.
Keith’s band is made up of some of the best young talent in the country. Most are alumni from the prestigious UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. The fire and energy these young men and women bring to the music is tempered only by their skill and professionalism.
The band released its first recording Thought and Memory, in 2012. Last year, they were fortunate enough to get in the studio with acclaimed tenor saxophonist Rich Perry. They recorded five tenor saxophone concertos Keith wrote for Rich. This record, An Eye on the Future: Featuring Rich Perry will be released in January of 2017 on the Summit Jazz label.
The Keith Karns Big Band can be heard regularly at Scat Jazz Lounge in Fort Worth, Texas.
ACCOLADES
2015 Downbeat Student Music Award
Outstanding Arrangement: “Up on the
Roof”
2015 JEN Young Composer’s Showcase
Winner: “The House at the End of High
Street”
2014 Downbeat Student Music Award
Best Original Composition for Large
Ensemble: “The Square”
2014 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Composer’s
Award
Best Original Composition: “The Square”
Keith’s band is made up of some of the best young talent in the country. Most are alumni from the prestigious UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. The fire and energy these young men and women bring to the music is tempered only by their skill and professionalism.
The band released its first recording Thought and Memory, in 2012. Last year, they were fortunate enough to get in the studio with acclaimed tenor saxophonist Rich Perry. They recorded five tenor saxophone concertos Keith wrote for Rich. This record, An Eye on the Future: Featuring Rich Perry will be released in January of 2017 on the Summit Jazz label.
The Keith Karns Big Band can be heard regularly at Scat Jazz Lounge in Fort Worth, Texas.
ACCOLADES
2015 Downbeat Student Music Award
Outstanding Arrangement: “Up on the
Roof”
2015 JEN Young Composer’s Showcase
Winner: “The House at the End of High
Street”
2014 Downbeat Student Music Award
Best Original Composition for Large
Ensemble: “The Square”
2014 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Composer’s
Award
Best Original Composition: “The Square”
