Jo Harrop was born and raised in a small town in Northeast England. Her parents felt that music was not a proper career, so she had to learn music by ear, listening to the likes of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. The turning point in her life came when her father took her to see Tony Bennett when she was just a teenager. Harrop relates, “I was so moved and so inspired, I realized that I needed to sing. I wanted to be able to touch people with my music in the same way.”
The artist has firmly established herself as one of British jazz’s most distinctive singer/songwriters. Having signed to London-based jazz label Lateralize Records, she recently made her US debut with shows at some of the most prestigious venues in the country, including Dizzy’s Club in New York (Jazz at Lincoln Center) and SFJAZZ in San Francisco.
Harrop traveled to Los Angeles to record the album, where he collaborated with American music producer Larry Klein. Klein is best known for his work with legendary artists such as Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux, and Herbie Hancock. The Path of a Tear showcases some of the world’s finest jazz musicians, including guitarist Anthony Wilson, drummer Victor Indrizzo, pianist and Hammond B3 player Jim Cox, and bassist David Piltch, along with Larry Klein on bass.
“The Path of a Tear” is a soulful and bluesy album featuring mostly original songs co-written by Harrop. The artist shares stories about deep emotions of the heart. Her intimate, smoky, and sultry voice captivates listeners, conveying both bittersweetness and hope that lies just beneath the surface. This album is Harrop’s fourth, following “The Heart Wants” (2022), which was praised by The Jazz Page as “an outstanding showcase of Harrop’s spectacular artistry.” The album reached #13 on the JazzWeek chart.
The Path of a Tear is set for release on CD in the USA on June 7, 2024 on Lateralize Records, and will be available everywhere.
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