Jean Carn, also spelled Jean Carne (born Sarah Jean Perkins;[2] March 15, 1947)[1] is an American R&B/soul and jazz singer. In mid-career, she added a final e to her name. Carn is a vocalist credited with a five-octave vocal range.[3][4]
Biography
Carn was born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of four, she became a member of her church choir.[2]
Carn planned on furthering her studies at Juilliard School of Music in New York City when she met and married jazz pianist Doug Carn and became a featured vocalist in his jazz fusion band. The couple based themselves in Los Angeles, California, where Carn appeared on three of his four early albums, Infant Eyes, Spirit of the New Land, and Revelation on Black Jazz/Ovation. The couple later divorced.[5]
Carn's third Philadelphia International album When I Find You Love was issued in 1979.[2] "My Love Don't Come Easy" peaked at number 43 on the R&B chart.[7] The album included the Jerry Butler penned track "Was That All It Was?" which, despite not charting on the R&B charts, was a big disco hit in the UK clubs.
At this time, Carn moved from the Philadelphia International label to the subsidiary TSOP imprint for her 1981 album Sweet and Wonderful.[2] Carn moved to Motown Records in 1982, making her label debut with her only album on the label, Trust Me. The single "If You Don't Know Me By Now," a cover of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes hit with backing vocals by The Temptations, went to number 49 on the R&B chart.[7]
By 1986, Carn signed to Omni Records. Closer Than Close, produced by saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. went to number one on the R&B charts.[2] Her 1988 album You're a Part of Me was her only release on Atlantic Records.[2] In 2014, Carn was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award present by the National R&B Music Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[8] In 2020, Carn was one of the performers aboard on the Soul Train Cruise.[9]
On October 16, 2022, Carn's life was featured on the documentary TV One series, Unsung.[10][11]
