Karen James (folk singer)

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.

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 the CBC radio in Toronto. Soon she had her own summer radio program titled 'Karen Discovers America' (1952). She started her career under stage name Karen Beissel, changing stage name to Karen McElheron in 1957 and two years later to Karen James. In 1962, she moved to Vancouver. In 1966, she married James Andrew Currie and changed her name to Karen Currie.

Karen has been singing professionally since 1959 and was one of the top folk-singing soloists in the Canada in the first half of 1960s.

Personal life
Karen married Vancouver artist James McElheron in 1957; the couple divorced in 1959. In 1966, Karen 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)