Carmen Bruner, daughter of Rachel and Lewis Bruner, grew up in Bristow and attended Bristow Schools. She learned how to sing at an early age, giving credit to her mother who taught her and her brothers how to harmonize with each other. Bruner sang in a gospel group known as the Bruner Family, along with her three brothers. As a group, they sang locally, statewide and nationally.
While attending the eighth grade, Mr. Connie Fisher, music teacher at the time, introduced her to jazz. She developed her music skills while attending high school in Bristow and continued her education and music classes at Tulsa Community College.
Bruner's passion for jazz music led her to performing on public stages, venues and a number of productions in local theaters. Bruner performed on stage, in 2018, at the Tulsa State Fair. She recently played the part of “Bird Woman” in the musical Mary Poppins that was held at the Freeland Center of Performing Arts, in Bristow.
Bruner is currently working on a promotion of a single that she wrote, titled Hold Onto Your Dreams. A single of Bruner's was promoted in March, called Fragile. This single has done well on the Smooth Jazz charts and is still being played and heard over 160 FM stations and Internet around the world.. Fragile is the cover originally done by Sting. Bruner says she had always wanted to cover that song so they went ahead and released it.
Bruner was a feature jazz artist at the Fayetteville Jazz Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bruner said, This was my first time being featured as a headliner. It was really a great experience to sing in front of people.
Bruner has had other opportunities such a finalist in the 2021 US Female Rising Star of the Year by the International Singer Songwriter Association. She has begun to collaborate music with other musicians in other states.
Bristow has several upcoming stars in the community. Bruner's music can be found and purchased on all digital platforms. To learn more about Bruner, visit her website at CarmenBruner.com.