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Jo Lawry

Rarely does a singer come along in whom virtuosity meets sensitivity. JoLawry at once tests the limits of technical facility and explores the furthestreaches of musical expression. Her music, steeped in the jazz traditionwithout being constrained by its traditional forms and functions,demonstrates a unique combination of maturity and inventiveness.

Born in South Australia, Jo was awarded a 2003 Fulbright Fellowship forstudy in the United States, which led her to New York where she still resides.There, she studied with such jazz luminaries as Javon Jackson and John Riley,and recorded with Renee Rosnes, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash. She wasalso named as a semifinalist in the 2004 Thelonious Monk International JazzCompetition.

Jo Lawry’s performing career since arriving in the US has been exciting andvaried. She has performed and/or recorded with Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, andHal Galper to name a few. Recent projects as a ‘sideman’ have been withDonny McCaslin and Allan Harris, appearing at venues ranging from NYC’sBlue Note and Jazz Gallery to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, andcollaborations with Kate McGarry and Peter Eldridge have yieldedperformances at Birdland, the Jazz Standard and Joe’s Pub. Jo is also Artist-in-Residence at the United States Embassy of Australia and has givenmultiple command performances for both the current and previous AustralianAmbassadors.

Most recently, Jo performed with Bobby McFerrin at Carnegie Hall, and hasjoined the Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra, a new quartet led by Mr. Hersch. Jois currently featured as guest vocalist on two new releases for PalmettoRecords: Kate McGarry’s “If Less is More… Nothing is Everything” (releasedAugust ‘08) and Dr. Lonnie Smith’s upcoming album (scheduled for releaseearly ’09.)

Jo leads her own quintet which performs in and around NYC, appearingregularly at notable jazz venues such as the 55 Bar and Cornelia Street Café.With this group, she recorded her debut CD as a leader featuring her owncompositions and arrangements, titled ‘I Want To Be Happy’, released October21, 2008.

Jo Lawry: Acrobats

Read "Acrobats" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
February 12, 2024

Ha trovato un intrigante, e quanto mai riuscito, equilibrio tra sperimentazione e mainstream la cantante australiana Jo Lawry nel suo pieno ritorno al jazz dopo il debutto del 2008 con I Want to Be Happy. Il merito va condiviso con la contrabbassista Linda May Han Oh e la batterista Allison Miller, magnifiche co-leader di un progetto di piena partecipazione collettiva. Dopo quell'acclamato debutto (recensione da 4 stelle e mezzo su “Down Beat" e inclusione tra i ...

Album Review

Jo Lawry: Acrobats

Read "Acrobats" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
February 23, 2023

Australian vocalist Jo Lawry has covered a lot of ground in a musical career that goes back to her well-received debut in 2008, I Want to Be Happy (Fleurieu). Her formidable jazz chops were readily apparent on that release, but she then turned to other genres, including folk and pop on albums like Taking Pictures (ABC Music, 2015) and The Bathtub and the Sea (Fleurieu, 2018), not to mention a few guest spots with Sting, as on Symphonicities (Deutsche Grammophon, ...

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Interview

Jo Lawry: Singing Sideman

by Jason Crane
May 19, 2009

Australian vocalist Jo Lawry is quickly establishing herself among the top tier of current jazz vocalists. And she's doing it--at least some of the time--by being a sideman. Lawry hails from Adelaide, Australia. She's been in the U.S. for several years now pursuing advanced degrees in jazz, but she hasn't spent all her time studying. She's also managed to collect an impressive list of resume credits as a performer, including performing and recording with Kate McGarry, Fred Hersch, ...

Performance / Tour

Off Tour With Sting, Laila Biali Is In Residency At Subculture May 10, 24 & 31 With Guests John Ellis, Jo Lawry And Zach Brock / The Requestomatic Audience Challenge

Source: Claudia Artzer
April 29, 2013

Award-winning Canadian pianist, vocalist and songwriter Laila Biali has toured with Grammy award-winners Suzanne Vega, Chris Botti and Paula Cole and has recorded with and supported pop icon Sting. Laila has an acute awareness and appreciation for pop and rock that she combines with her jazz training to create thrilling arrangements. Her recent CD, Live in Concert, captures the intimacy and excitement she generates on stage and the range of music she makes her own from Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, ...
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Performance / Tour

Nos Novo, Featuring James Shipp and Jo Lawry, Kicks Off New Music Series "This is Irish Music"

Source: Michael Ricci
February 17, 2010

With Strange Sweethearts in America Evening Features Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Becca Stevens as a Special Guest New York, New York -- The Irish Arts Center is proud to launch their new music series THIS IS IRISH MUSIC with the Celtic/Brazilian/Jazz fusion band Nos Novo, featuring Jo Lawry and James Shipp. THIS IS IRISH MUSIC: NOS NOVO'S STRANGE SWEETHEARTS IN AMERICA performs on Thursday, March 11 at 8 PM at the Irish Arts Center (553 West 51st Street, between 10th and 11th ...
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162

Interview

Vocalist Jo Lawry Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 19, 2009

Australian vocalist Jo Lawry is quickly establishing herself among the top tier of current jazz vocalists. And she's doing it--at least some of the time--by being a sideman.

Lawry hails from Adelaide, Australia. She's been in the U.S. for several years now pursuing advanced degrees in jazz, but she hasn't spent all her time studying. She's also managed to collect an impressive list of resume credits as a performer, including performing and recording with Kate McGarry, Fred Hersch, Donny McCaslin ...
read more

213

Recording

Debut CD by Vocalist Jo Lawry, "I Want to be Happy", Released Today

Source: Orange Grove Publicity
October 21, 2008

Rarely does a singer come along in whom virtuosity meets sensitivity. On her debut album, I Want to Be Happy, Jo Lawry at once tests the limits of technical facility and explores the furthest reaches of musical expression. Her music, steeped in the jazz tradition without being constrained by its traditional forms and functions, demonstrates a unique combination of maturity and inventiveness. Since moving to New York from her native Australia, Jo has become one of the most impressive voices ...
read more

“I was completely knocked out. She has an incredibly pure voice with faultless intonation.” - Jason Crane, The Jazz Session “She’s a phenomenal singer.” - ABC TV (Australia) “Jo Lawry is the real thing — a true jazz singer with awesome musicianship, a wonderful instrument and a fearless attitude.” - Fred Hersch “ With perfect intonation and the swinging feel of an instrumental soloist, Lawry injected fresh life into every piece, using perfectly timed, expressive phrasing, and some smart scat.” - John McBeath, The Sunday Mail