Jazz, Folk and Country Music Star Norah Jones
Norah Jones burst onto the music scene in 2002 with her groundbreaking debut album, Come Away With Me. This soothing blend of jazz, folk, and country won multiple Grammys that year.
She received the Down Beat Student Music Award in 1996 while studying at the University of North Texas, and met future collaborator Jesse Harris when she provided him a ride to one of their concerts on campus.
Born in Texas
Most 20-somethings aspire to reach the summit of their chosen profession; Norah Jones has done just that and more. Her musical achievements are legendary and she remains one of the world’s most well-known entertainers.
She first made waves worldwide with her debut album Come Away With Me, which became an international success. The record blended mellow acoustic pop with jazz and soul, garnering Norah several Grammy awards.
Since her debut, she has recorded several albums. Additionally, she has performed with Ryan Adams and Okkervil River bands and lives privately in Brooklyn, New York where she homeschools both of her children while also contributing to philanthropic work.
Raised in Dallas
Norah Jones hails from Grapevine, Texas and attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts – an arts magnet. There she took piano lessons as well as singing in choir. Her mother’s record collection inspired her; jazz singers like Etta James and Billie Holiday inspired her. After graduation from high school she enrolled at University of North Texas to study jazz piano; winning multiple DownBeat Student Music Awards along the way as well as joining up with their Jazz Singers ensembles.
Two years into her program, she relocated to New York City. Although she found work performing at folk coffeehouses and jazz clubs, it wasn’t until 2002’s Come Away With Me followed by 2004’s Feels Like Home that she truly achieved success as an artist.
Signed with Blue Note Records
Norah Jones first launched herself into international recognition with Come Away With Me in 2002 – an album that blended jazz, folk and country styles seamlessly – earning critical acclaim and nine Grammy awards.
Norah won the Down Beat Student Music Award for best vocalist in 1996 and 1997 before enrolling at the University of North Texas to study jazz piano. There, she met her future collaborator Jesse Harris and started performing with his band at Manhattan’s Lower East Side venue The Living Room.
Norah joined The Little Willies, a group of musicians consisting of bassist Lee Alexander, drummer Dan Rieser, and guitarist Richard Julian. Together they played alternative country music inspired by artists like Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. Together they released two albums before Norah left them and signed with Blue Note Records in 2004.
Has toured the world
Norah Jones continues to captivate audiences around the globe with her warm stage presence and signature sound, captivating audiences from different genres with ease and garnering her many awards and honors for her extraordinary artistry.
Norah released her fourth album, The Fall, in November 2009 to both critical and commercial acclaim. To promote it she appeared on Dancing with the Stars, The Late Show with David Letterman and Good Morning America to perform.
Feels Like Home, Norah’s follow-up album to The Fall, was also critically acclaimed. Additionally, Norah collaborated with artists such as Outkast, Willie Nelson, and Herbie Hancock; additionally she starred in Kar Wai Wong’s My Blueberry Nights film.
Has a podcast
Norah Jones stands out in the competitive podcast scene with her unique approach of using podcasting as a live concert event. She features musical guests for deep conversations and acoustic collaborations such as Questlove, Margaret Glaspy and Questlove; with today’s release featuring Dave Grohl!
The two musicians shared lengthy discussions on songwriting and their respective influences; their conversation soon evolved into performances featuring classic Foo Fighter songs.
The duo began with “Paradise,” from Jones’ latest album Visions. Jones’ piano playing provided the perfect background for singer-songwriter Laufey’s casual scatting and they covered an equally entrancing version of Little Broken Hearts by James Bay. To finish off their set they performed Bob Dylan’s Statues which featured sparse drumming and atmospheric guitar atmospherics for added authenticity.