•Karen Mack•

"The effervescence that marks Karen’s music is infectious. It sends you into a vivacious sonic space that is by turns emotional, life-affirming, and filled with sculpted invention by one of the most gorgeous and silken-voiced women in music today." - L.D. Greene, HotHouse Magazine, HotHouseJazz.com

"In addition to her sense of humor, she has the kind of voice one longs to hear... her flawless placement, appealing style and dead on performance are electrifying... she'll give you chills she's that good!" - C. Byrne, LGNY

"Singer Karen Mack's fresh sound mixes the work of traditional songbook composers and contemporary voices, singing them all with an expressive and sweet voice that may remind some of Blossom Dearie." - W. Friedwald, The New York Sun

“There is something timeless about her voice, as well as something alluring and adorable… these days she focuses on jazz, which her voice is perfectly suited for. She seems completely at home in this realm.” - M. Doherty, Michael's Music Log 

"She's got that thing, that certain thing! Deeply into her jazz roots, Karen has “it” when it comes to jazz, a not-so-common commodity for many singers who aspire to jazz and who, like Mack, are cross-genre... In the versatility department, Mack aced ballads too, reflective and effective... Mack made all the tunes sound fresh and new, and as comfortable to listen to as old familiar friends." - M. Lester, Nitelife Exchange 

RE: New Album "Catch & Keep":

"’Catch and Keep’ is a wonderful present to all jazz vocal lovers!  The vibe on this album is so refreshing you will find yourself playing it over and over again.  Karen has the rare ability to sing lyrics with the same comfort and understanding you would get having an easy conversation with an old friend. The fit between Karen's vocals and her supporting musicians is perfect.” - R. Nicosia

https://www.musicmanblog.com/2024/09/cd-review-karen-mack-catch-keep.html

“Karen Mack’s Catch & Keep showcases her outstanding vocal talents on a mix of jazz standards, lesser-known gems, and original pieces… sophisticated and heartfelt!” - D. Glenn Daniels, The Jazz Page

“When I began hosting the Vocal Sound of Jazz in 1980, legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Mark Murphy, and Carmen McRae were still gracing us with their tours and new music. I worried about finding enough fresh talent and music to sustain a weekly jazz vocal program. Thankfully, my concerns were unfounded. Over 44 years later, we continue to be blessed with an abundance of incredible music. As you can tell by how many tracks I've played, I love "Catch & Keep"! - J. Frieden, Vocal Sounds of Jazz, WHRV-FM 89.5 

"One of the more salient points regarding “Catch & Keep” isMs. Mack’s adroit balancing between traditional songbookcomposers, such as Jimmy Van Heusen (“Imagination”) and Harry Warren (“This Is Always”), and jazz-centric singer-songwriters of at least a slightly more recent vintage, like Bob Dorough (“Nothing Like You”) and Dave Frishberg (“OurLove Rolls On”). Between her unique sound and the very original approach of Mr. Eldridge, as well as a varied and well thought out

program, this is a very fresh-sounding project. The presence of Darmon Meader on saxophone further gives the tracks he plays on a sound all their own." - Will Friedwald, The New York Sun

(Mr. Friedwald also writes about music & popular culture for the Wall St. Journal, and is the 2024 winner of the Jazz Journalists Association Lifetime Achievement award.)

"Riffing off the album’s unique title, jazz vocal fans will want to catch and keep this album, and hopefully many more by the incredible Karen Mack.... beautiful, gently soulful vocals, exciting swing tunes and overall freewheeling magic... formidable songwriting prowess... it’s to her and (Peter) Eldridge’s credit that they venture way outside the box for a batch of tunes that are mostly so obscure that they sound like new compositions... her splendid and percussively exotic twist on Basia’s “From Now On” combines Mack’s breezy voice with the simmering energy of her ensemble...a hip showcase for Mack’s witty phrasing!" - J. Widran, The JW Vibe

“Mack has a bright, crystal-clear vocal style and a relaxed delivery that sells her songs. Her ability to sing everything from the Great American Songbook to contemporary jazz and pop/rock shines on this project.  Her voice and repertoire are both appealing and entertaining. Mack’s opening tune clearly establishes that this vocalist can swing... on her original song called “Hurry Up and Wait" [co-written with P Eldridge] Karen Mack swings free and easy with catchy lyrics and an impressive saxophone solo by Darmon Meader ...this is a very well-written song and quickly becomes another favorite from Karen Mack’s sophomore album. ” - D. McNeil, Wonderful Women In Jazz /Jazz Journalists Assoc.

"An eclectic, silky voiced singer, she offers sterling mainstream to modern performances of standards and originals, touching on swing, Latin, and ballads... an enjoyable and varied album to appeal to those of broad jazz taste and beyond!" - Leon Nock, Jazz Journal UK  

“An inventive and fresh performance… Mack has an honest voice, authentic in its presentation!" - C.M. Bailey, Wild Mercury Rhythm

“Mack shows us her sensual side and envelopes us with song, boundless energy and excellent swing.” - La Habitacion del Jazz (Spain, The Jazz Room)

"Her voice is smooth like silk... wonderful musical surprises... fabulous band... indeed one that you should catch and keep... highly recommend!" - N. Castillo, Nitelife Exchange

“A delightful debut album by Ms Mack, a sweet-voiced singer with wonderfully distinct diction who gives us a selection of lesser-known songs together with a couple of originals. I liked the selection so much.” - A. Alex, Bebop Spoken Here 

RE: Karen Mack/Elliot Roth Duo: 

"They are both seasoned pros... they offer a smart, sophisticated, intriguing collection of songs with Roth’s superb piano underscoring his and Mack’s smooth, supple, beautifully phrased vocals offering lucky diners and drinkers a superb evening of entertainment. Warm and witty, with nothing forced or trite... they are so in tune they seem sometimes to finish each other’s sentences and thoughts... intertwining solos, duets and a well-chosen medley or two. Their song list includes pop, originals (Mack has long been lauded as a fine songwriter), standards, and a healthy seasoning of bossa, which pleased me no end. If you are there for the first set, you are likely to stay for the second.  I would have gladly stayed for a third and a fourth set by the marvelous Karen Mack and Elliot Roth." - Gerry Geddes, Bistroawards.com  

"Both accomplished vocalists, Elliot and Karen show particular skill with their duets... the winsome twosome are the boy-girl act that everyone has been waiting for... and with their friendly, laid back connection to the crowd, to say nothing of Roth's inventive arrangements, it wouldn't surprise this reporter if their monthly residency will be upgraded to more than once a month!"  - S. Mosher, BroadwayWorld.com

"...kindred spirits, they are a likable pair, complementing each other and gracious.  They are clearly at ease with one another and at ease with different musical styles. With Roth's prodigious piano skills and the stylish singing of both, the clear-voiced twosome are a clear choice for a nice downtown hang!”"  - R.Lester, BroadwayWorld.com

"Mack’s honeyed vocals add a lovely patina to any song... utterly swoon inducing. Roth, whose jazz vocals evoke the smoky sounds of Mark Murphy or Kurt Elling, also elicited sighs during Sinatra’s “Please Be Kind” and especially on “As the Water Loves the Stone,” a gem he plucked from Adam Guettel’s recently closed “Days of Wine and Roses.” As good as these two are individually, they are dynamite together, combining and complementing each other’s strengths to delicious effect, as when they launched into “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” at breakneck speed with an incredible vocal dexterity that had us in awe. A word on Roth’s piano playing: this is some of the best playing around, from his lush underscoring to his sizzling arrangements... as entertaining as it was unique." - J Amodeo, NiteLife Exchange

RE: Karen Mack solo gigs: 

"I'll say it up front: Do not miss this show! Mack's voice has a precision and purity of tone that's nothing short of stunning... It's a satisfying breath of fresh musical air.”
John Michael Koroly - Whitney Radio/WVOX

"A respected songwriter and solo artist with a background in a variety of genres, so one can always expect a surprise when Karen Mack walks in the room... something designed to make others feel good and to make others smile!" - S. Mosher, BroadwayWorld.com

"Like bolt lightning, she electrified the stage from opening to encore... she sounds like a combination of Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks - the perfect vocal instrument for jazz, rock, country, and all points in between. Can this gal sing!"
J. Hoglund - Backstage

"It's a sound you want to hear fronting a first-rate band, and that's just what she's got behind her... Mack can knock anything with a beat out of the ballpark... Besides being naturally funny, she's so generous she passed out song sheets that supply songwriters' names and their websites."
D. Finkle - The Village Voice

"A sterling instrument! She has unerring good taste in her musical choices and wisely lets the lyric speak for her in simple and understated interpretations.”
David Hurst, Show Business

”Mack's voice is a thing of beauty with a rich, lush, inviting tone that somehow works equally well belting rock standards or performing the most frivolous of the era's love ballads.”  Mona Finston - Cab Hotline