Thank you again to Nina for this invitation. The Knockturnal was invited to attend the remarkable and deeply moving concert of soul and jazz singer-songwriter Karen Bernod, who has spent decades lending her voice to legends like Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, and Luther Vandross. Now, she returns center stage to remind us of her power and presence as a solo artist. City Winery NYC, if you’ve never been, is a venue that holds space for magic. The moment you arrive, you’re met with art-illustrated portraits of past performers and a palpable hum of anticipation. Considering all that’s going on in the world, I’m not blind, nor are you, but for a few hours that night, something shifted.
I sat front and center. Literally. Our table was positioned directly in front of the mic. Her background vocalists stood beside her; the saxophone and piano cradled her voice; behind them, the bass grounded the vibe. It was church, it was a club, it was a living room, it was a front stoop. It was healing.
She opened with “Endangered Species,” an original piece that, despite being my first time hearing it, spoke directly to me. The way she honored Black men through lyric and melody felt like she was writing about my spirit. I was seen. And hearing it expressed musically? That’s a whole other frequency of healing. I thank her for that.
Her background singers were unreal. The vocal arrangements were layered, intentional, and genre-bending. They caused me, the listener, to listen differently to attune to the layers, the phrasing, the spirit. Then came those special moments: spontaneous melodic phrases Karen created in real time that rode the beat like they were always meant to be there. You know when the groove hits and something otherworldly joins the performance? That happened. It was like a cool breeze swept through the room.
Now let me tell you a moment that made the night unforgettable. I walked into the Winery with a large fan, yes, it was hot, and it just so happened to be the same fan I received at the 2024 BRICK Awards. Something in me said, “Give it to her.” And I did. Karen took it and, without skipping a beat, launched into “Boots On The Ground.” It was unplanned, spontaneous, completely in the key of Karen Bernod. The entire crowd erupted. My table chuckled in delight as the rest of the venue clapped with joy.
What struck me most was how much relationships matter to her. She took time to thank supporters, long-time friends, collaborators, and even the families that stood beside them. It was a community in motion. Admittedly, I was the one under a rock, not fully tapped into the scope of her solo artistry until now.
This was a great show. It was Karen Bernod’s official return to music, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of her debut album. The digitally remastered release of Some Othanness For U (25th Anniversary Edition) remastered by the legendary Herb Powers, Jr., is now available on all streaming platforms. And it sounds better than ever.
This full-length show at City Winery was her first in years. It was a journey through her past, present, and future featuring selections from the Othaness album, fan favorites, and exclusive previews from her forthcoming album Iris, a tender tribute to her late mother. The title alone tells you there’s more story, more healing, more soul to come.
For the Brooklyn native, this was more than a comeback; it was a resurgence. And from the warmth, applause, and unfiltered love in that room, it’s clear: there is still space and still a need for Karen Bernod in today’s soulscape.
Stream Some Othaness For U (25th Anniversary Edition)
Follow Karen Bernod
Venue
City Winery NYC — 25 Eleventh Ave at 15th Street, Manhattan, NY
