Sara Jo: vocals/choir arrangements, guitar Aleks Austad: guitars, bass, drumprogramming
Guest musicians on my upcoming album:
Anders Hunstad: piano, rhodes, B3, würlitzer
Ingar Blix Aaeng: bass, upright bass
Petter Brorson: drums, cajón
Kalle Källman: percussion
Tove Fjällborg: cello
Christian Lehn: vocals
Gaute Neby: drums
Per Persson: trumpet
Johan Persson: trumpet, flugelhorn
Steinar Ofsdal: nepali flute
Influences
Alicia Keys, Amos Lee, Ane Brun, Angie Stone, Angelique Kidjo, Anthony Hamilton, Aretha Franklin, Ben Harper, Ben Taylor, Billie Holiday, Bo Kaspers Orkester, Corinne Bailey Rae, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvira Nikolaisen, Eric Roberson, Erykah Badu, Eva Cassidy, Heather Nova, India Arie, Jamie Cullum, Jill Scott, John Legend, Joni Mitchell, Joss Stone, Katie Melua, K s Choice, Lauryn Hill, Leela James, Lisa Miskovsky, Lizz Wright, Mary J.Blige, Natalie Merchant, Nina Simone, Norah Jones, Ray Charles, Rebecka Törnqvist, Ruthie Foster, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Wonder, Susan Tedenschi, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman and many more...
Someone once wrote; "sings like a goddess" about this swedish singer/songwriter. Sara Jo would rather describe herself as an; "ambitious musician who will forever seek musical improvement and development, as a person and artist, in exciting and challenging projects". Ever since she got her first taperecorder as a 6-year old, Sara Jo has been writing songs, usually with the guitar as a tool. Today she has widely spread musical experience from singing in gospel choir and with several bands performing rock, blues, soul and jazz influenced music, in Sweden, Norway, New Zealand and Nepal. Sara Jo has also worked a lot as a session musician/singer for other songwriters and musicproducers and now and then takes the stage as a dancer.
Sara Jo describes her music as: "melodious and insightful- a touch of melancholy and hopefulness closely combined. Music and singing is healing and a true pleasure and joy for me! When I sing I find it important to hold on to a warmth and sensitive feeling in my voice, that occurs when I am calm and present. It is being present and feeling happy in the moment that really counts in music, as well as in life. That is the key to health, inner happiness, but also to reach real success in what you do I think". Sara Jo also points out the importance of having something meaningful to say and of believing in the message of the lyric, so it will come out in a sence of honesty that will touch the listener; "Add these ingredients together with a nice live groove and rhythm and you will have an example of what I seek and hope to present as a musical artist", she says.
In August 2008 Sara Jo started her own indie record label, Natchintanai Record Company. Currently she is producing her debutalbum, "Inner Child, the Wise and Me vol.1", together with the talented norwegian guitarist and close friend, Aleks Austad. The recordings are made in Sloth Studios Oslo, but also in the beautiful harbor village, Farsund, in Norway and in her hometown Karlstad, in Sweden.
The first single, Suffocated, was released in May 2008. You can download the song from worldwide on iTunes. Suffocated is also included as one of the tracks on the album Acoustika Vol.11, released in California in June 2008.
Hi! Just droppin by checkin out your new song Blue Mood! It sound really beautiful, but I still really dig Suffocated with it's true smooth gritt & Intence emotion! I think you should stay with that, it really hits hard! Have a great week!
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