Kate Bush,Cat Stevens,Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Erik Satie, Tom Waits
Lisa Gerrard,Stephen Sondheim,Jerry Goldsmith, Lisa Germano
Sandy Denny and Harold Budd
I'm a singer/songwriter pianist and poet originally from New York although I've temporarily settled in the Midwest where I live on my beloved Starkweather Creek which literally stirs at my back door. I still consider myself a New York based artist, as I still hold very dear my long term affiliations with Mike Fazio of Faithstrange and my drummer Linda Mackley.
It has been said about me most that my intuitive control of the piano is striking, I possess a dynamically ethereal vocal range and that there is a unique depth to my songwriting. Although it is often assumed that I am a classically trained pianist, I am completely self taught, discovering that I could write these little progressions on the piano at age 8. I am honored to have been compared to Kate Bush, Harold Budd and Laura Nyro. My most vivid inspirations come from growing up in a very artistic/theatrical home listening to everything from Show Tunes to Opera to my most influential iconic singer/songwriter Cat Stevens who moved me with his stirring, fluid chord changes and magnificent orchestrations.
Part of the essence of my instinctive emotionally visceral theatrical style may be attributed to my Gypsy lineage. Perhaps that's another reason I started to play the concertina recently. I don't consider myself a story teller, but rather more of a revelatory and referential songwriter. I was discovered by international label Kalinkaland Records and released Island worldwide in July 2005. The album is being distributed in the US by Sam Rosenthal's Projekt Records.
"Island" also features the incredible work of avant-garde cellist Matt Turner.
Being particularly prolific these days, I am in the process of developing another album through my own Ephemera called "Down The Rabbit Hole". This album will be a collection of my first never before heard songs, written between 1990-92, exactly as I sat and played them from their inception in my boxer shorts, drinking coffee at my piano at 3am, cats walking about the house, often on or across the piano keys and me...finally tapping into the identity that was trembling below the surface. It was the time of my pomo epiphany, when I discovered my true artist within
And I am currently in the studio working on pulling together a collection of songs that will culminate into an album called "Hunting Down The Ceremony". A gathering up of many never before heard tracks, a few new things and songs that have been scattered to the winds on either compilations or are parts of film soundtracks.
Review Selections-
Organ Magazine~review excerpt Fools and Orphans~
Fools and Orphans is a beautiful album, as fine as the finest Abyssinian – go explore and lose yourself in it, go and treat yourself. She's from New York, she's like that person you find singing in secret in an old dusty theatre when she thinks no one is listening and this is why we do this Organ thing, this sets things of fire and makes me feel... this is a wonderful album" -
Mick Mercer review excerpt~ The Last Drive In "Hearing something of a modern classical bent twisted into arresting, imaginative shapes is a fascinating experience." "so this is no barren exercise, but a starkly ethereal one."
Ninthspace review excerpts of Fools and Orphans~
"Jo enthralls me with her unusual delivery of language, compressing or mutating phrases to track against the music, creating its own instrument"
"Fools and Orphans draws away from traditional arrangements to let the songs breathe, and in doing so allows Jo to continue distinguishing herself from the current ’..and piano' crowd"
NinthSpace review~ The Last Drive In –"using the piano as a centerpiece for such evocative ambience results in something rather beautiful".
Review of Lightwaves by Mick Mercer
"... leaving Jo Gabriel to cavort in happy self-indulgence through ‘Island’, providing the sort of rising organic sweeping pop Kate bush should have been doing on her farcical ‘comeback'"
NinthSpace review of "Island"- Jo takes the indulgences of This Mortal Coil and weaves them inside traditional and otherworldly piano pieces, accompanied by strings, fretless bass, guitar, her sometimes unusual vocals and Linda Mackley’s perfectly balanced percussion. Whilst the results are obviously off-centre, they remain deliciously melodic.
Orkus Magazine -review by Doreen Krase
“Jo Gabriel is a woman full of contrasts: "tough and strong" her appearance seems "so delicate and sensitive" both are true of her essence and the "visual impact" of her new album Island”
“Jo's voice is the strongest instrument, which she uses in a manner actually like the voice of the universe. But it is a universal language that Jo Gabriel uses to perfection and which dominates Island
Island is "By far one of the most beautiful albums of the year".
“New York native Jo Gabriel produces dark, moody and mystical songs pulsating with brilliant harmonies and full of rough edges. For fans of romantic wave-pop, paired with piano - "Island" reminds of 4AD’s This Mortal Coil with its innate sense of strength and warmth.” (Darklight Nocturnal Entertainment review of Island)
“It is first Jo’s voice that drives shivers through you.” “She’s like the musical miracle of Kate Bush, or Tori Amos”. “Her piano is dreamy and opulent and always in harmony.” ’A touch of Romantic Dark Wave that strokes the soul”. (Amboss Magazine review of Island)
Watch out for Kalinkaland's official release Fall/Winter 2008
Jo is contributing 2 songs ("I am Lovely" and "If Not") to Steve Balderson's new film "Watch Out"
Jo recently contributed a stark piano score "Longer" for the documentary film CUT:Teens and Self Injury by film maker/musician Wendy Schneider. The film features Shirley Manson of Garbage. visit www.cutthemovie.com
We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser?
Hello, It's always a pleasure to contact my friends, first thanks for your friendship and hope all is well. if you have time, there are some new videos on my page. Life is beautiful. All the best - Pat.
I'm the co-creator of an international website Elles.us. All the month, we invited artists from all over the world to present themself and their music.
I'm wondering if you will be interested to appear in our "Music" page with 4 other artists? Our members vote for their favorite artist and the winner will be put in "Music of the month" during 1 month.
We try to propose an attractive and interesting site. And it's better to have real bands talking about their music than a blogger just writing about it.
We are ambitious to become a really big social network with a lot of people, all the day new members arrive on the site and I think it can be interesting for you, it can promote you a little bit more.
If you are interested or if you have questions, feel free to contact me.
this is just a quick note to let you know that this is the last chance to get a physical copy of my first album "Pretty Boys and Ugly Girls".
I'm going to release my new album this fall (subscribe to my blog if you want to be informed!) and the first one will then be only available as a download version.
So if you prefer a proper CD - like I do! - a record you can really hold in your hands, with all the artwork and stuff - this is your chance! :-)
Grab your hard copy of "Pretty Boys and Ugly Girls" now on CD Baby while stocks last!
Jo Gabriel, Happy Monday to you! Wishing you a restful and relaxed week. If you need some inspirational musical help relaxing, there are 3 albums available now at iTunes! You Can download them at Itunes by clicking below:
Watch out for Kalinkaland's official release Fall/Winter 2008 
Jo recently contributed a stark piano score "Longer" for the documentary film CUT:Teens and Self Injury by film maker/musician Wendy Schneider. The film features Shirley Manson of Garbage. visit 
Jo has also contributed a song ("Siren Lotus") to the 17 Pygmies recent album "13 Blackbirds/13 Lotus". 
