Karen Smith
Illuminate The Arts Grantee & Pew Fellow "Possible is possible!"
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
“My drum is a spiritual connection to the African ancestors and to the world around me."
Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith, Percussionist, Playwright, Director, Poet, Producer, Teaching Artist, Curator
A New York Native and Philadelphia Transplant, Karen has been one of the most sought after artists in the area! Smith has performed and collaborated with many individual artists and art organizations providing rhythms, sounds and high energetic percussion to many platforms, in and outside the areas. She has received a number of grants including: Leeway Foundation, Illuminate the Arts, The Pew Fellowship and The 2025 Black Music City Grant for her film project dedicated to Sista Sonia Sanchez's 2004 CD, Full Moon of Sonia. Founder of her own two groups: The Karen Smith Drums Ensemble and the Karen Smith Experience!!
"I create spaces where other artists can join in, feeling a spirit of trust and improvisation."
For more than 10 years Karen Smith has been taking her drums on the road with her movement, Have Drums Will Travel Immediately. She has provided rhythms for projects in the Delaware Valley Tri-state area, and also in Alabama, Houston, Atlanta, and Jamaica, West Indies. She also performed at the United States Human Rights Network Conference. Karen captures "the rhythm of a place and the cadences of people.” The beat continues wherever the movement may take her!
Karen Smith curates artistic projects, hosts private drumming lessons, provides musical backgrounds, plays at festivals, and especially loves collaborations!
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Procession from Betsy Ross House to Spruce Street Harbor, .
Procession from Betsy Ross House to Spruce Street Harbor with the Karen Smith Drums Ensemble.
Procession from Betsy Ross House to Spruce Street Harbor, .
Nile Restaurant Germantown
with Denise King Trio
Nile Restaurant Germantown
Elkins Park, PA
Drumming Circle featuring Karen "Magic Fingaz" Smith
Elkins Park, PA
City Winery, 990 Filbert St. Phila, PA
A Celebration of the Philly Music Scene 1990-2005
6: pm Arrival, program begins at 7 pm
City Winery, 990 Filbert St. Phila, PA
50th St and Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Featuring The Karen Smith Experience Diuo
50th St and Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA
for inquiries about Karen Smith and her rhythmic energy, drumming performances, and more!
We will get back to you soon!
PO Box 29734 Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA
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