Karen James (born September 23, 1939) is a Canadian former actor and folk music-songwriter who performs songs in Spanish, English, and French.
Life and career Karen 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 CBC radio in Toronto. Soon she had her own summer radio program entitled "Karen Discovers America" (1952). She started her career under the stage name Karen Beissel, changing it to Karen McElheron in 1957 and two years later to Karen James. In 1962, she moved to Vancouver, and in 1966, changed her name to Karen Currie.
James has been singing professionally since 1959 and was one of the top folk-singing soloists in Canada in the first half of 1960s.
Personal life James married Vancouver artist James McElheron in 1957; the couple divorced in 1959. In 1966, she married Vancouver television producer James Andrew Currie.
Discography
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)
Acting credits
Television plays YearTitleRoleNotes1954Playbill"The Hideaway"1960StartimePetra Stockmann"An Enemy of the People"1960First Person"Harry"1960–1961General Motors TheatreVarious2 episodes1961Q for Quest"Burlap Bags"1963–1964The SerialTally Prendergast"Wings of the Night"
Television talk, news, music and variety shows YearTitleRoleNotes1959Tabloid (talk show)Self-Singer 12 December 1959 (Songs are performed by Guy Caroline and Karen to conclude the program)1960Tommy Ambrose Show (musical variety show)Self-Singer 22 September 1961 1962Open HouseSelf-Singer29 June 1962 (Traditional songs are performed by Karen: 'Cathie Ryan'; 'B For Barney'; 'Hush Little Baby' and 'Fiona Blackburn (Next Market Day)'1962On SceneSelf-Singer20 July 1962 (Karen performs for the crowd at a square dance festival in High Park)1963Take 30Self-Singer1 January 19631964ShowcaseSelf-Singer18 January 19641964Let's Sing OutSelf-Singer1 December 1964 (Songs are performed by Karen: 'Samson' and 'The Unicorn')
Stage YearTitleRole Notes 1958 The Love of Four Colonels Beauty 10 – 15 November at Ottawa Little Theatre
References
External links