Jazz pianist Karen “K.” Xie discovered their artistic voice as an improviser after years of classical training and their calling as community organizer in spaces in their native Brooklyn. They are a composer, pianist, vocalist, and multidisciplinary artist. They use their music to examine personal identity and power through their broader intersectional identities of being queer and Asian-American.

They are dedicated to creating safer spaces and wider stages for queer performers like themselves. As a performer, they respond to the outer and inner worlds with sensitivity and tenderness, inviting audiences to laugh, sing, cry, and engage with the questions: what burdens and grieves do we share? How can we contain it and alchemize it all? How do we build community? How can we live with intentionality and joy on this planet? What space do we offer ourselves to change?

Having received mentorship from top internationally touring jazz artists – Grammy winning pianist Rachel Z, saxophonists Bruce Williams and Mike Lee, and guitarist Dave Stryker at Montclair State University’s Cali School of Music—K. is both honing their improvisation talent and diversifying their skills as a creative musician in jazz arranging, vocal and electronic music.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, K. began playing classical piano at 4 years old. Their life changed when K. was first introduced to jazz at 19 at their alma mater, Hunter College. There, they received their bachelors in Classical Piano Performance and gave a winning performance of the Scriabin Piano Concerto in the Piano Competition where they were inspired by leading New York jazz and classical musicians – pianist and contemporary classical music specialist Geoffrey Burleson, classical guitarist Joāo Luiz Rezende Lopes, jazz trombonist Ryan Keberle, jazz bassist Ike Sturm and jazz vocalist Cilla Owens; their wide-ranging and individual approaches to music making led K. to explore their own different forms of music making. 

During their sophomore year at Hunter College, K. was immediately called to the nature and joy of the big band program at school. At this pivotal point in their artistic training, they were drawn to the democracy, rich culture, and history of jazz. K. was described by Ryan Keberle as "one of the most talented musicians [I've] had the pleasure to work with in my 21-plus years of leading the program at Hunter College." 

K is also a passionate educator and teaching artist for Brooklyn based Brooklyn Children's theatre, a non-profit musical theatre program providing a free arts education for all children. K's commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds stems from their role as minister of music at the Trinity Reformed Church in Ridgewood, Queens. Activism in the community and neighborhoods is central to their identity and one that K actively pursues both as an organizer and with their musical participation.