Biography

A sojourn is a place one stays temporarily while on a journey. It is also the title track of the first full-length CD by the award-winning band, Karmann and Kompany. The band consists of Karmann Powell, Joe Brokaw, Joe Stolpa, Darrell Stackhouse, and includes member-at-large, John "Whiteboy" Walden."

Karmann and Kompany's sound is a fusion of the many influences that each of Karmann and Kompany's experienced and seasoned members brings to the mix. As musicians, the focus is on well-played instrumentation with a "live-in-your-living-room", not over-produced feel. The band has decided their style is "contempo-phrenic blues-grass." It is eclectic, some what schizophrenic (in other words, all over the map) and ultimately, optimistic.

Karmann and Kompany was originally formed in 2010 when Karmann was asked for the name of her impromptu band that was to perform at an event. It was the first name she could think of and it stuck. Comprised of basically four members, the band can perform as a duo, trio or full ensemble. Karmann performs solo from time to time. The band's song list ranges from folk, country, gospel, contemporary, to bluegrass, blues, and of course, originals.

Singer/songwriter, Karmann Powell, composed 10 of the 11 songs on "Sojourn." She plays guitar on the CD, but considers herself to be primarily a vocalist. Her voice is strong, clear and concise, yet warm and expressive. Karmann cannot pick a favorite. Her songs feel like children to her. Each is special and unique in its own way, and each has its own story. For instance, "Sojourn" was written in response to a powerful sermon at North Valley Christian Church where Karmann is the worship leader.

"My Feet Keep Walking" and "Next To Me" were written for and about her husband of many years. According to Karmann, "you can't have too many sappy loves songs when they are about true love."

"Just Be Who You Are" is a song inspired by the sudden death of a friend's son-in-law, who left 3 small children. It's something a dad might say to his children.

"Saguaro Moon" is a western-jazz song and a tribute to the desert southwest.

"Up To My Biscuits In Gravy" is a laid-back blues songs with self-depreciating humor.

"Back Yard Chickens" is a song about, well, back yard chickens and is, at the very least memorable, if not a new classic.

Each song stands on its own and complements the others in a way that gives "Sojourn" a cohesive sense and leaves the listener uplifted.

About Karmann and Kompany: Biographies

Karmann Powell - Lead singer, songwriter, rhythm acoustic guitar, back-up vocals

Karmann Powell is a “genetic” musician who has performed from a very young age. Influenced by folk, country, gospel and bluegrass, Karmann's style is distinctly Americana. Her dynamic vocals set her apart from the crowd. She is a songwriters as well as an interpreter of others songs. She knows how to make any song her own

Karmann was on the founding board of Fiddler's Dream Coffee House in Phoenix, AZ and performs there from time to time, as well as a variety of venues through out the state. She plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and electric bass. Karmann and her husband, Stan, has self-produced two CD's of original gospel music – Fruit of the Spirit (2006) and Morning Prayer (2009).

Karmann's original gospel song, “My God”, co-written with Lynn Goveia, won honorable mention in the 2006 Great American Song Contest. “Daddy O” was chosen as the theme song for You Matter Ministries, LLC, a non-profit organization that assists homeless people in west and downtown Phoenix. “Daddy O” is included on the 2010 Gospel Grass Productions compilation CD. Her song “Don't Look Back” was chosen as one of the top 5 songs of a recent Songwriters Challenge. Karmann and Kompany's "Let's Celebrate Christmas Right," (a parody of the Christmas classic, "Santa Baby) was chosen to be included in a Women of Substance Radio pod cast in 2014.

Karmann is currently the worship leader/music director for North Valley Christian Church. She provides quality music for the song service and Christmas, Easter and other special events. She is the music editor for The Relevant Christian, an quarterly on-line magazine and in real life she's a substitute teacher.

Joe Brokaw - Five-String Bass

Joe Brokaw play the five-string bass because, in his words, "it's 20% better and makes more sense. Five strings, five fingers!'. He was born in Detroit and was raised on Motown, The Guess Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Zepplin, the Stones and the Allman Brothers. Joe started playing guitar at 10 and bass at 15. He was a "full blown 4 year band geek" with a gift and a lot of opportunities. He was turned on to jazz and blues in a high school jazz band. During that time, he discovered he really enjoyed playing bass. Joe received a scholarship to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the next year received a music scholarship from Michigan State University.

And then… he moved out west, got married, had 2 kids and found his "inner redneck." He played off and on for about 30 years, but his heart wasn’t in it. The “party on, dude” lifestyle finally took its toll in the form of a motorcycle wreck, which woke him up. Joe became a Christian and started playing on the worship team at Calvary in Black Canyon City, AZ where he eventually met Karmann and Stan Powell. Joe currently plays and sings with the worship team at his church in Black Canyon City, AZ.

Joe Stolpa - Electric and acoustic rhythm and lead electric and acoustic guitar, back-up vocals

Joe Stolpa is a versatile guitarist, whose rhythm, fills and leads enhance a song, while not overpowering them. Joe was born in Columbus, Ohio and started playing guitar at age 14. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in music. He has a son from a previous marriage who is grown and has two children of his own.

Joe played in several bands in the 70's and early 80's. When he moved to Phoenix in '83, he wanted to play with a band, but nothing seemed to click. He got a job with the U.S. Postal Service and met a guy named Ace. On August 8, 1986, Ace and his family invited Joe to a program called "Hi-Tops". It was there that Joe asked Jesus Christ into his life.

Since then, Joe has played on worship teams at Calvary Chapel North Phoenix. Ace and Joe started an outreach band called RU. The music was blues and rock, but the message was Jesus. Eventually disbanding, Joe was invited to a practice with Karmann, Joe and Darrell and has been a part of Karmann and Kompany ever since.

Darrell Stackhouse - Drums

Darrell Stackhouse is a man of few words. When asked what he wants his bio to say (his exact words), "me likes drums." That fact is evident in the energetic, innovative performance on "Sojourn." Darrell started playing drums when he was very young. He studied the techniques of the greats, including Hall Blaine, incorporating what he learned into his own style. Darrell did studio work when he lived in LA. Since he's moved to Arizona, Darrell has played with several bands, and also plays on the worship team at his church.

John "Whiteboy" Walden - Harmonica

"John 'Whiteboy' Walden, from England, has been playing harmonica almost all of his life, starting at age 8, and he quit school to turn professional in 1965. He has become one of the most highly-respected harmonica players in Europe. He is equally proficient on the more-familiar 10-hole diatonic harmonica as well as the chromatic and his musical interests stretch from British rock, American blues and Gospel to jazz, as well as other genres. With such wide experience, John has become one of the most beloved and revered members of the internet discussion group Harp-l, where he has been sharing his knowledge for over 15 years.

'Whiteboy' has toured all over the world with such blues greats as Rory Gallager, Lightning Hopkins, The Madison Blues Band, Madeline Bell, Eva Jones and many others. As early as 1968-69, he was playing in Paris with his group the John Walden Workshop.

On a completely different note, he toured around Great Britain for three years with the Matthew Jones Orchestra, performing at such prestigious British venues as Symphony Hall, The Adrian Bolt Hall, The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, as well as at the Oaken Gates Theatre in Telford, the Dudley Town Hall and the Civic Center Solihull. He has also performed at international music festivals in the US, Germany and Great Britain.

In 1997, he formed the John Walden Blues Band, which released a pair of CDs and which gigged around London performing his own originals, as well as blues standards. In 2002, he teamed up with blues & boogie keyboardist Charlie Hyam, releasing a duo album 'Blues, Jazz and Boogie.' In recent years, he has been playing gospel music with the New Wine Gospel Choir in London. (bio from John's web site)

Karmann met John when he was visiting the states in 2010. Karmann was performing an acoustic solo set at the Glendale Folk Festival, which John and a friend were attending. The friends told Karmann that John played harmonica. Karmann asked him to sit in with her on a few songs - and was totally blown away. While John currently resides in Scotland, he was one of the original members of Karman and Kompany.

Stan Powell - Sound Engineer

Stan runs sound for the band during live performances. They may be making all the noise, but it's Stan's expertise that makes them sounds good. He recorded and mixed all the songs on "Sojourn," with a helping hand from Darrell Stackhouse. Karmann edited "Sojourn". Mastering was done by Sage Audio.

The making of the CD has been a journey unto itself. Karmann and Kompany is happy sojourn with those who would like to stay and listen for a while.


For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
Hebrews 13:14