Karen attended SUNY New Paltz and graduated with BA in Theater Arts. After graduating, she landed a spot as a lead vocalist touring in the Cabaret style show band, Tiffany, performing in major resorts and hotels. After two years performing on the road, she then headed for New York City.
She quickly won a role in the musical revue the S.P.Q.R. Cabaret on Mulberry St. singing and dancing both Broadway and Contemporary music. While still performing in the S.P.Q.R., Karen landed a principal role on Broadway playing “Cher” in "Rock And Roll – The First 5,000 Years", produced by Dick Clark and directed by Joe Layton at the St. James Theater.
Karen then became the lead vocalist and songwriter for The Flirts, a female pop group that had a hit song called "Don't Put another Dime in the Jukebox”. After joining the group, she became their main songwriter and their second big release "Impulse" was one of her original compositions.
Soon after, Karen Egert began performing as solo jazz singer-pianist playing at major hotels in NYC. She had a steady five-year engagement at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Peacock Alley Lounge playing on Cole Porter's piano. On one memorable night, Stevie Wonder was in the hotel. As he heard her voice coming through the lobby he came into the Peacock Alley to spend the entire night listening to her perform. Taken by her performance of “Overjoyed” he then concluded the evening with a spontaneous hour long set of his own.
Karen has the distinction of being written up in two published books on acclaimed jazz singers " Entertainment: Diva, Cabaret, Jazz, Then and Now: Including Who's Who of the Greatest Female Singers of All Time", by Maximillien J. De Lafayette, and "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide", by renowned jazz crtic and biographer, Scott Yanow. Both are available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
Karen's two CDs, "Let's Get Lost" and "That Thing Called Love”, have been favorably reviewed by major jazz publications whch can be heard on Pandora as well as radio stations around the country.
She has worked in such New York City clubs as The Iridium, Danny's Skylight, in addition to local venues such as Shanghai Jazz iTrumpets in New Jersey.
Karen currently plays piano and sings in the historic lounge of the NYAC - New York Athletic Club, a NYC private membership club on Central Park South. The elegant lounge is reminiscent of the great jazz supper clubs. There, Karen brings in listeners who are drawn to her honest lyric interpretation, unique voice, and musical style. Karen also performs her shows for private parties and corporate events.
Karen's latest show "One For My Baby" is a tribute to Johnny Mercer and Frank Sinatra highlighting Johnny Mercer songs with fascinating stories of these two icons making for a uniquely engaging performance. Audiences have been enthralled with the music and fascinating biographical information presented by tying these two icons together.