Karen James (born September 23, 1939) is a former English-born Canadian actress and folk music-songwriter who perform songs in Spanish, English and French.[1]
Karen James | |
|---|---|
| Born | Naomi Karen Scheel September 23, 1939 Surrey, England, UK |
| Occupation(s) | actress, singer |
Life and career
editKaren James, the daughter of Spanish-born folk musician Isabelita Alonso and Norwegian-born pianist Hans Scheel, arrived in Canada at the age of 12 in 1952 and began working for the CBC radio in Toronto. Soon she had her own summer radio program titled 'Karen Discovers America' (1952).[2] She started her career under stage name Karen Beissel,[3][4] changing stage name to Karen McElheron in 1957 and two years later to Karen James. In 1962, she moved to Vancouver.[5] In 1966, she married James Andrew Currie and changed her name to Karen Currie.
Karen has been singing professionally since 1959[6] and was one of the top folk-singing soloists in the Canada in the first half of 1960s.
Personal life
editKaren married Vancouver artist James McElheron in 1957; the couple divorced in 1959.[7] In 1966, Karen married Vancouver television producer James Andrew Currie.
Discography
edit- Karen James Accompanying Herself On Guitar (1961)
- Through Streets Broad And Narrow (1962)
- Children's Songs From Spain (1963) (in collaboration with her mother Isabelita Alonso)
Television credits
editTelevision plays
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Playbill | "The Hideaway" | |
| 1960 | Startime | Petra Stockmann | "An Enemy of the People" |
| 1960 | First Person | "Harry" | |
| 1960–1961 | General Motors Theatre | Various | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | Q for Quest | "Burlap Bags" | |
| 1963–1964 | The Serial | Tally Prendergast | "Wings of the Night" |
Television talk, news, music and variety shows
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Tabloid (talk show) | Self-Singer | 12 December 1959 (Songs are performed by Guy Caroline and Karen to conclude the program) |
| 1960 | Tommy Ambrose Show (musical variety show) | Self-Singer | 22 September 1961 |
| 1962 | Open House | Self-Singer | 29 June 1962 (Traditional songs are performed by Karen: 'Cathie Ryan'; 'B For Barney'; 'Hush Little Baby' and 'Fiona Blackburn (Next Market Day)' |
| 1962 | On Scene | Self-Singer | 20 July 1962 (Karen performs for the crowd at a square dance festival in High Park) |
| 1963 | Take 30 | Self-Singer | 1 January 1963 |
| 1964 | Showcase | Self-Singer | 18 January 1964 |
| 1964 | Let's Sing Out | Self-Singer | 1 December 1964 (Songs are performed by Karen: 'Samson' and 'The Unicorn') |
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Love of Four Colonels | Beauty | 10 – 15 November at Ottawa Little Theatre |
References
edit- ^ "Karen James". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ 'Beauty' Has To Change 5 Costumes The Ottawa Citizen, 1 November 1958, page 24
- ^ Here and There around the Canadian Air The Ottawa Citizen, 20 December 1952, page 26
- ^ Minervas Diary: A History of Jarvis Collegiate Institute page 162
- ^ TV Weekly The Ottawa Citizen, 28 November 1964, page 116
- ^ Note The Province, July 20, 1963, page 66
- ^ For Karen: Salad Days The Vancouver Sun, 13 September 1963, page 61
External links
edit- Karen James at IMDb