I am intrigued by my relationship with Jazz music. It has been there in the background throughout my life. Like classical music, Jazz permeates our culture in subtle ways. We absorb it from film, TV and popular culture yet it remains to many of us, myself included, a mystery. What is Jazz? Do I like it?
Whisky and Jazz also seem intertwined, the image of a smoky speakeasy, a musician with trumpet in one hand, a smouldering cigarette and a whisky glass readily comes to mind, as if we’ve been sat there watching in person.
Whisky is an elusive drink for me, for years I wanted to understand the lure of a drink that, when I tried it, made me shudder to my core. I finally found, thanks to a clever website, a whisky that gave me pleasure. I rarely drink it but now know that, if the moment arises, I can order a dram and not fear the sensation.
I feel I have been on a similar journey with Jazz, I tried it, recoiled and feared this particular musical pleasure would elude me. It is close friends who thankfully provided the connection, not a website this time.
‘Come to London and see Jo play’ they offered one day.
Life is full of wonderful surprises and experiences if you look for them and are open to them. Say yes when such gifts are offered. This was a chance to scratch that Jazz itch, to delve into a mythical world, into the Jazz Scene.
I love music but am no musician, no expert. There is music that leaves me cold and music that fills my heart with joy. I love to discover and listen to music from all over the world, ancient to modern; yet I struggle with Jazz so here was the perfect opportunity, a trip with Jazz enthusiasts to see a friend of theirs perform in an intimate environment, Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel (‘a grand and bustling Parisian brasserie’) in Soho.
Their friend is none other than Jo Harrop.
The illustrious Iggy Pop described Jo as “a very fine jazz singer” and “a superb and unimaginably good vocalist” on his BBC Radio 6 Music show . He also remarked, “Her voice is delicious. When she sings, she moves me.”
‘Jo won Best Jazz Album 2023 for her co-written album ‘When Winter Turns to Spring’ and was nominated twice for the Vocalist of the Year category.’
We saw Jo play after having recently finished supporting Gregory Porter, fourteen gigs including four nights at The Royal Albert Hall. The chance to see such an artist in a room with an audience of just fifty? That’s Jazz.
The audience adore her, the musicians with her, pianist and Bass, there’s love too for the Great American Song Book from which she draws standards from Duke Ellington and the like.
How do I feel about it? I’m back to Whisky, I want to love it but am I struggling to find the flavour profile that suits?
The American Songbook stands on its own merits and Jo is an amazing talent. For me though, it’s when she sings her own songs, when that voice phrases her thoughts and feelings, her view of life, when the music wraps around her vision of the world we inhabit; when the musicians align and her voice heads off on a journey she has envisioned, that’s when I find my flavour profile within Jazz. That is the moment when it is effortless to understand Igg Pop’s praise of her, Gregory Porter’s choice of having her open for him and to understand the joy of the people in the room listening enraptured to a magical talent. It’s the moment when I begin to connect with Jazz.
From Iggy Pop to Gregory Porter, the greats in the music world already know; a jazz star shines in Jo Harrop.
As I discovered, you don’t need to love Jazz to enjoy Jo’s music so take a moment to go on a voyage of discovery and add another layer of richness to your life.
Jo Harrop – The Heart Wants (Behind The Scenes)
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