Jo Harrop - Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat

(Press release)

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Jo Harrop has proudly revealed her new single ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’, the second track from her much-anticipated new studio album, The Heart Wants, due for release October 2021 on Lateralize Records.

Recorded in London and produced by Hannah V (who has worked with everyone from JP Cooper to Stormzy), ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’ was written by Harrop, Hannah V and Natalie Williams and features Jason Rebello (piano), Troy Miller (drums), Jihad Darwish (bass) and Jamie McCredie (guitar).

 

“Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat was written late one night at Hannah’s studio in Hoxton after a few bottles of wine,” Harrop explains. “We were all missing gigs and reminiscing about the good times when we got dressed up and took to the stage – the place where all troubles magically fly away. It’s a real contrast to the bluesy torch songs that I usually write, so perhaps people won’t think I’m totally miserable and heartbroken all the time after hearing this.”

 

“It’s really a song about getting ready to go out on stage and perform, dressed in something that makes you feel good and gives you confidence. A glass of good red wine, mic in hand…that’s how I always perform. One of my favourite lines in the song – ‘Whisper the blues right in your ear / Sing so softly only you can hear’ – sums up the intimate way that I try to tell a story when I sing. It’s a salute to all the female jazz singers I cherish, from Sarah Vaughan through to Nina Simone.”

 

Jo’s first solo single ‘If I Knew’ was released this past April to much fanfare, including multiple plays on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, and JazzFM.

 

“You know the voice, you know she’s quality… Absolutely gorgeous” – Jo Whiley, BBC Radio 2

 

Jo’s 2020 collaboration with Jamie McCredie Weathering The Storm received a raft of rapturous reviews upon its release, showing her velvety voice can melt the stoniest of hearts, with BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop exclaiming  “I Believe her… She convinces me.”

 

Jo will be making a welcome return to the stage as part of Lateralize Records’ Jazz On A Summer’s Evening showcase at London’s Cadogan Hall on 5^th June 2021.

 

Jo Harrop is surely one of the brightest new stars in the jazz universe.