Jean Carn

Jean Carn, also spelled Jean Carne (born Sarah Jean Perkins; March 15, 1947)

Biography Carn was born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of four, she became a member of her church choir. 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.

In 1976, Carn was signed to Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records. The debut single "Free Love" went to number 23 R&B. In 2020, Carn was one of the performers aboard on the Soul Train Cruise.

On October 16, 2022, Carn's life was featured on the documentary TV One series, Unsung.

On April 28, 2025 Carn was inducted into the National R&B Music Society's Atlantic City Walk of Fame at Brighton Park in Atlantic City, NJ. Stuart Bascombe of Black Ivory and producer Dave Wooley were the inductors. The Stylistics, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Blue Magic and the late Phyllis Hyman were also Inducted. Carn is the 11th inductee honored with a plaque into The Atlantic City Walk of Fame.

Discography Studio albums Year Title Peak chart positions Record label US USR&B 1971 "Peace" — — — — Infant Eyes 1975 "Valentine Love" (with Norman Connors & Michael Henderson) 97 10 — — Saturday Night Special 1977 "Free Love" — 23 18 — Jean Carn "You Got a Problem" — — — "If You Wanna Go Back" — — — 1978 "Happy to Be with You" — — — — Happy to Be with You "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" — 54 — — "There's a Shortage of Good Men" — — — — 1979 "My Love Don't Come Easy" — 43 — — When I Find You Love "Start the Fire" — — — — "Was That All It Was" — — 22 — "What’s On Your Mind" — — — "Give It Up" — — — 1980 "I'm Back for More" (with Al Johnson) — 26 — — Back for More 1981 "Sweet and Wonderful" (with Glenn Jones) — — — — Sweet and Wonderful "Love Don't Love Nobody (Part 1)" — 35 — — 1982 "If You Don't Know Me by Now" — 49 — — Trust Me "Let's Stay Together" (with Bobby Militello) — 74 — — Blow 1986 "Closer Than Close" — 1 — — Closer Than Close "Flame of Love" — 21 — — 1987 "Everything Must Change" — 79 — — 1988 "Heartache" — — — — You're a Part of Me "Ain't No Way" — 23 — — "Let Me Be the One" — — — 95 1996 "Don't Stop Doin' Whatcha Doin'" — 109 — — Love Lessons 1998 "Make Love" — — — — 2002 "Somebody Bigger" (with Jeff Majors) — 111 — — Gotta Have Gospel "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

DVD Jean Carn & Friends: The Sound of Philadelphia: Live in Europe (Expansion, 2005) Ladies Night Out—Live (Steppin Muzak, 2007, also available as a CD)