Toronto-based saxophonist and improviser Karen Ng has become a vital force in creative music, both in Canada and internationally. Whether performing alongside indie luminaries like The Weather Station, Andy Shauf, and Do Make Say Think or exploring experimental sounds in intimate Berlin venues, her distinctive tone and fearless approach to collaboration have made her a sought-after artist across genres. With performances on Jimmy Kimmel, NPR’s Tiny Desk, Austin City Limits, and major festivals including Big Ears, Pitchfork, Bonnaroo, and Primavera, Ng’s wide-ranging artistry bridges the worlds of jazz, improvisation, and contemporary music with remarkable fluidity.

Described as an improviser “with a breathtakingly wide musical scope” (Musicworks), Ng is a key figure in the avant-garde scene, regularly collaborating with leading creative ensembles across North America and Europe. She has performed at Bimhuis, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Suoni Il Popolo, and Pique, and was a featured artist in Chicago’s Experimental Sound Studio Option Series. A committed curator and educator, she has played a central role in TONE Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival, and the Canadian Music Centre, and has represented Canada as a juror at JazzAhead in Bremen. Praised as a “super-collaborator” (NOW Magazine) and a defining voice in Toronto’s experimental jazz scene (Bandcamp Daily), Ng continues to push musical boundaries with an openness to exploration that sets her apart.

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“No list of forward-thinking Toronto jazz artists would be complete without Karen Ng.” - Bandcamp, “The Best of Toronto’s Experimental Jazz Scene”
“Karen Ng has rapidly become a significant presence at the creative edges of Toronto jazz” - Whole Note Magazine