Jo Harrop announces 'The Heart Wants' Tour

Although she has built a reputation as an intuitive interpreter of other people’s songs, Jo Harrop would be the first to admit that she always lacked the confidence to reveal her own songs to the world. With no shows in her diary, she started working on what would eventually turn out to be her first album of original material with producers Hannah Vasanth (known for her work with everyone from Stormzy to JP Cooper) and Jamie McCredie alongside a guest list of world-class musicians including Christian McBride, Jason Rebello and Troy Miller.

“We wrote and recorded the songs for The Heart Wants before we had a chance for people to hear them live, which is the ultimate litmus test,” Harrop explains. “Songs don’t really come alive until you play them to an audience, so I’m incredibly excited to finally be able to bring them to life on stage for the first time. Music has always had the power to transport me and to move me deep inside, and I want to create the same emotional connection with people who hear my songs.”

“An extraordinary talent” – Jo Whiley – BBC Radio 2

Born in Durham, and raised on a heady musical diet of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, Jo Harrop cut her teeth as a session singer, working with a host of iconic artists including Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Enrique Iglesias and Gloria Gaynor. After moving to London, she quickly established herself as one of the most unmistakable voices in British jazz, performing everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall to the Sunset Sunside Jazz Club in Paris.

‘A rare mix of delicacy and boldness. Sheer perfection.’ Dave Gelly – The Guardian

Having signed to London-based jazz label, Lateralize Records, she recently received a raft of rapturous reviews for Weathering The Storm, her debut with guitarist, Jamie McCredie. The Guardian dubbed it ‘a little gem of an album: simple, modest and perfect,’ whilst BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop fell in love with her voice, calling her “a very fine jazz singer.”

The Heart Wants 2022 Tour Dates

12th February – Hampstead Jazz Club, London

19th February – The Bear Club, Luton

25th April – Ronnie Scott’s, London

12th May – Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle

14th May – Hexham Jazz Festival, Hexham

17th May – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

19th May – Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester

21st May – Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham

22nd May – Watford Jazz Junction Festival, London

29th June – Pizza Express (Soho), London

10th July – Swanage Jazz Festival, Swanage