Jean Carne was born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, Georgia, U.S.A. Jean was raised in Atlanta. Her parents supported her singing at the age of four in the church choir. They also encouraged her to take piano lessons. Jean is an accomplished performer on piano, clarinet and bassoon.

Whilst attending Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, she learned to speak Russian fluently. After winning a music scholarship to Morris Brown College in 1965, Jean learned to play many of the orchestral instruments. Her recording career began in 1969 with her husband Doug.