
Source: http://www.norahjones.com/bio/default.htm
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 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. I couldn't leave."
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 and bassist Lee
Alexander. Norah sang and played piano.
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 were available as the now of out
print EP "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. Her first Blue Note release
entitled Come Away with me was released on February 26th, 2002.
Note:
She gets her place in this site because she's the daughter of Ravi
Shankar, the sitar genius. He was a very good friend of George. Together they
organized the "Concert for Bangladesh". We'll have a page on Ravi, too.
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