Jo Lawry - Australian vocalist.....

Rarely does a singer come along in whom virtuosity meets sensitivity. Australian vocalist 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.

Jo’s debut album, “I Want to be Happy” was released in October 2008, and contains an eclectic mix of repertoire; jazz standards, Scottish folk songs, works by Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, a Barry Manilow hit, and Jo’s originals among them. The album received 4.5 stars and a glowing review in Downbeat Magazine: Photo: Ichiro Okada

Petite Aussie Jo Lawry's modest voice houses wondrous jazz chops and wiry curiosity; she winnows pizzazz out of stuff new (Sting's "Until") and old ("I'm Old Fashioned"). She floats over raw samba on "I Could Have Danced All Night" (pandeiro duo) and a frenzied "Loro" and nails "I Only Have Eyes for You" to the sky with a cosmic "millions of people pass by." Brimming with gleeful adventure and inner glow, Lawry freshly reimagines tunes that conjure Dominique Eade's exploratory dynamics (scat-wise "In a Spin"), Carmen McRae's fearless eclecticism (tabla-tinged "Can't Smile Without You") and her own intuitive narrative gift (Dar Williams' nuanced "February"). (Fred Bouchard)

She is also a member of the Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra, a quartet comprised of Hersch, Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Richie Barshay (percussion) and Jo (voice). The group's debut album, "Live at Jazz Standard" was released on Sunnyside records in April 2009. Most recently, Jo performed with Sting at Durham Cathedral, UK, for his upcoming DVD "If On a Winter's Night," to be released later this year.

Ongoing collaborations with vocalists Kate McGarry and Peter Eldridge have yielded performances at Birdland and Joe’s Pub. Recent projects as ‘sideman’ have been led by Donny McCaslin and Allan Harris, both funded by Chamber Music America with appearances at venues ranging from NYC’s Blue Note and Jazz Gallery to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Other career highlights include performances with the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Ben Monder and most recently with Bobby McFerrin at Carnegie Hall. Jo has also recorded with Hal Galper, Renee Rosnes, Lewis Nash and Peter Washington, as well as on Dr. Lonnie Smith's "Rise Up!" (on Palmetto Records).
Jo is currently working on a doctorate at New England Conservatory, and is a 2003 Fulbright Scholar.

Current projects:
Jo Lawry Quintet
Sting
Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra
James Shipp’s Nos Novo - Irish/Brazilian/Jazz

Past projects:
Hal Galper Sextet
Donny McCaslin – In Pursuit
Allan Harris’ Cry of the Thunderbird
Allan Harris - Cross That River
New Standard Alliance with James Shipp

Recordings:
I Want to be Happy – Leader, voice, arrangements, compositions, triangle
Live at Jazz Standard - Fred Hersch Pocket Orchestra (Sunnyside 2009). Lead vocals.
Strange Sweethearts in America - James Shipp's Nós Novo. Lead vocals, mandolin, melodica, shruti. If Less is More… Nothing is Everything – Kate McGarry (Palmetto 2008) - Guest vocals, violin.
Rise Up! - Dr. Lonnie Smith (Palmetto 2008/2009) - Guest vocals
Sing Along with the Heinle Picture Dictionary for Children – Vocals, compositions.
Cry of the Thunderbird – Allan Harris (2007) – backing vocals and percussion
The Absolutely Very Best of Peter Combe Live (DVD, ABC Australia) – 1992

Band Members:
Jo Lawry - voice, percussion

James Shipp - vibes, percussion
Keith Ganz - guitar
Matt Clohesy - bass
Ferenc Nemeth - drums
Special Guests:
Barney McAll - piano, keyboards
Victor Prieto - accordion

Influences:
Tina Lawton, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate McGarry, Gian Slater, Cannonball Adderly, Stan Getz, Fred Hersch, Sting, Carmen McRae, Etta Jones, Rosa Passos, Joni Mitchell, Planxty, Cassandra Wilson, Richard Julian, Tina and Kym Lawry are a start