KAREN CARROLL
The music of Karen Carroll roots in the world of the untainted black blues of the southern states and the gospel. Her
music, full of special, unique tastes and feelings from the traditional Delta and Chicago blues to the rhythmic world
of black jazz and funk, shows everything that is black music. Her vocal style ripened in the microclimate of her
unique family of musicians. She mixed family traditions with the musical motives arising from her personality.
She was brought up and took wing by the musical experiences of her mother, Jeanne Carroll, and made her first
professional performance with the band of her blues mama. Robert Allen and Nate Griffen taught her to play guitar,
and it is owing to them that she performed with, among others, Lonnie Brooks, Albert King and the Freeman Bros.
She also appeared before the public with Katie Webster and Lurrie Bell. Beside the gospel remaining from her
childhood, she has embodied the real black blues sound. Her interpretation is characterized by the special Delta
sound. She has conveyed the blues with elementary strength, at the same time subtilely and authentically.

MISSISSIPPI GRAVE DIGGERS
The name of Karen Carroll and The MGD has already welded together after numerous joint appearances
and successful tours and become a phenomenon in the local blues life! Suggestive interpretation, cloudless
cheerfulness and tempestuous playing characterize the full-house concerts of the band. The forceful sound
grabs attention, and the playing of polished character gives an extraordinary pleasure even to the
choosiest fans.

By amalgamating traditional black rhythms with gipsy swing and bebop, folk blues and youthful grooves,
the Mississippi Grave Diggers give an unmistakable jazz and world music flavour to contemporary blues. It
creates a unique chatacter of joy music of the traditions created by the band, crossing continents, then
fusing on local stages.

KAREN CARROLL & MISSISSIPPI GRAVE DIGGERS
The front man or, more correctly, front woman of the band, Karen Carroll, „the black witch” is considered one of the
most authentic singer in contemporary blues. When she takes her place on stage, she catches the audience with the
first sound of big city blues, pulling them unawares into the magic of the pleasant shuffle pulsation. Strumming her
guitar charmingly, the woman aged fifty tells real stories with the voice ringing from the deepness of her soul, with
every words of her texts. The standard pieces in the repertoire of the band are coloured with succesful original
compositions, evolving a special sounding. The dialogues and improvisations of the instruments are giving place for
continuous renewal, presenting the audience with a new experience in every concert.
In her concerts, Karen Carroll with The Mississippi Grave Diggers vivifies the entrancing actuality of the blues born
from the moment, attesting the everlasting brilliance of the genre.
In the summer of 2008, Karen performed at the invitation of B.B. King at the Chicago Blues Festival, then returned to
Europe to appear as the star guest of the major Hungarian festivals with her permanent touring band, the
Mississippi Grave Diggers.

CD available:
Karen Carroll and The Mississippi Grave Diggers
Evolution Revolution
2009
Gryllus Records

Internet:
www.myspace.com/karencarrollmgd
www.youtube.com/user/jamboreehu