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Biography
Norah Jones crosses musical borders from jazz to soul to folk-based pop. Jones' honey and smoke voice along with her skill as a storyteller urges listeners to hear original and classic songs, as if for the first time.
Norah grew up in Texas with her mom Sue. She got into jazz while attending Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She always enjoyed singing but felt that studying piano would be a more solid foundation. She majored in jazz piano at the University of North Texas for two years before taking a trip to New York city.
The trip started out as just a summer away from college, but Norah quickly knew that she would not be leaving for a while.
"The music kept me there," says Norah, "and the falafels and pizza."
"The music scene is so huge. I found it very exciting. I especially enjoyed hearing amazing songwriters at places like The Living Room. Everything opened up for me."
She started hanging out with local songwriters and became inspired to write her own songs.
Eventually a band was started with local songwriter Jesse Harris. Norah sang and played piano. This is where she really feels her piano style developed.
"It got really simplified. I realized that a beautiful melody was more important than crazy technique."
In October 2000 the band recorded some demos for Blue Note Records. Norah used this as an opportunity to find her voice between her roots in jazz and a new passion for songwriting. The resulting demos are now available under the name "First Sessions".
"That recording is a very special document of a working band. Jesse, bassist Lee Alexander, drummer Dan Rieser, and me. We also had guitar players Adam Rogers and Tony Scherr come in on a few tracks. They fit right into the band vibe we had going."
In January 2001 she signed with Blue Note Records and in May, recorded her debut album at Allaire Studios in Shokan, NY. The musicians included Lee Alexander, Rob Burger, Brian Blade, Kevin Breit, Bill Frisell, and Kenny Wollesen. It was produced by Craig Street and engineered by S. Husky Hoskulds.
"It was a blast!" said Norah.
"I feel like this record is a pretty full expression of where I am now. It's music of mine, and many of my friends. Also some jazz standards and covers. The environnment was great. I felt very comfortable with all the musicians. It was a collaborative effort in a really cool studio. It felt like we were making a record in my living room. Most of it was recorded pretty much live, with extra guitar and voice overdubs here and there."
"I don't know if it can be classified as jazz really, or pop music. Hopefully it can be appreciated by fans of both. It has lots of different elements. In the end though, it's all about the songs. I think they're all very strong songs. I'm very lucky to have friends who are great songwriters. The originals ended up being the bulk of the album. A few of them are mine, but Jesse and Lee contributed greatly as well."
"I'm kind of new at songwriting and it's something I'd like to get better at. I also love singing old songs. I just like singing songs period. It's fun!"
Norah grew up in Texas with her mom Sue. She got into jazz while attending Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She always enjoyed singing but felt that studying piano would be a more solid foundation. She majored in jazz piano at the University of North Texas for two years before taking a trip to New York city.
The trip started out as just a summer away from college, but Norah quickly knew that she would not be leaving for a while.
"The music kept me there," says Norah, "and the falafels and pizza."
"The music scene is so huge. I found it very exciting. I especially enjoyed hearing amazing songwriters at places like The Living Room. Everything opened up for me."
She started hanging out with local songwriters and became inspired to write her own songs.
Eventually a band was started with local songwriter Jesse Harris. Norah sang and played piano. This is where she really feels her piano style developed.
"It got really simplified. I realized that a beautiful melody was more important than crazy technique."
In October 2000 the band recorded some demos for Blue Note Records. Norah used this as an opportunity to find her voice between her roots in jazz and a new passion for songwriting. The resulting demos are now available under the name "First Sessions".
"That recording is a very special document of a working band. Jesse, bassist Lee Alexander, drummer Dan Rieser, and me. We also had guitar players Adam Rogers and Tony Scherr come in on a few tracks. They fit right into the band vibe we had going."
In January 2001 she signed with Blue Note Records and in May, recorded her debut album at Allaire Studios in Shokan, NY. The musicians included Lee Alexander, Rob Burger, Brian Blade, Kevin Breit, Bill Frisell, and Kenny Wollesen. It was produced by Craig Street and engineered by S. Husky Hoskulds.
"It was a blast!" said Norah.
"I feel like this record is a pretty full expression of where I am now. It's music of mine, and many of my friends. Also some jazz standards and covers. The environnment was great. I felt very comfortable with all the musicians. It was a collaborative effort in a really cool studio. It felt like we were making a record in my living room. Most of it was recorded pretty much live, with extra guitar and voice overdubs here and there."
"I don't know if it can be classified as jazz really, or pop music. Hopefully it can be appreciated by fans of both. It has lots of different elements. In the end though, it's all about the songs. I think they're all very strong songs. I'm very lucky to have friends who are great songwriters. The originals ended up being the bulk of the album. A few of them are mine, but Jesse and Lee contributed greatly as well."
"I'm kind of new at songwriting and it's something I'd like to get better at. I also love singing old songs. I just like singing songs period. It's fun!"
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