Biography
Saori Jo is an author, composer and singer who is fueled by what some would call a musical ambition. She has been playing the piano since childhood and it has allowed her to express her emotions. This instrument has been much more to her than just an accompanying tool necessary to become a singer. As such it would be an error to try to categorize her musical style. Some, who have ventured to do so, have compared her to Kate Bush because of the originality and depth of her musical universe. Her music is influenced by a mix of 60s and 70s Rock, Celtic Folk, Progressive Rock, as well as Classical music. Saori Jo’s voice is powerful, yet soft and crystal like at the same time. Listening to her is like being exposed to a wide array of emotions that mirror what life has to offer.
Miguel Ruiz, a “globe trotting musician” that she met, proved to be the catalyst necessary to revealing her talent. He endorsed multiple tasks, as is often the case in such ventures: art director, composer, musical arrangements, sound tech and others … His experience allowed Saori Jo to take her first steps in the industry, learn studio work and make her first stage appearances. Miguel Ruiz gathered a group of musicians coming from diverse horizons yet who matched Saori Jo’s musical universe and influences. She also surrounded herself with two songwriters who wrote the lyrics for her. Her natural preference goes to composing music and she felt that the works of Sebastien Mouiller, her childhood friend, and that of Aram Papazian would heighten her universe with an added capacity to illustrate with words emotions stemming from other life experiences. The wealth of talent and resources surrounding her allowed the group to cement itself. Later, Alexander Nicol joined in as the manager. Chance encounters along the way always brought her new wealth in her life and solidified the foundations of the start of her career.
Such a meeting was that of Ian Anderson lead singer of the legendary Rock group Jethro Tull. He gave her the opportunity to win the hearts of his audience by offering her to be the first act during his German summer concert tours for two consecutive years. Saori Jo, still a wide open eyed artist thirsty of learning the ropes, saw a real alchemy take place during those concert tours. The audience was mesmerized when Ian Anderson and his magical flute, Doane Perry, David Gooder and Miguel Ruiz all joined Saori Jo on stage during the performance of “Fairy World” (one of the titles which will appear in her first album and on which you will also find the live video recording of Ian Anderson’s performance). During the concert tour Martin Barre also joined Miguel Ruiz for an unforgettable electric guitar duo during the song “Fellow Travellers” (a song written after the first summer tour concerts). John O’Hara did likewise on “Love is just another word”. This fantastic adventure allowed Saori Jo to mature through the backup and support of Ian Anderson and his team.
Back Home, Saori Jo and Miguel Ruiz quickly started working on their first album named “Home 2:17am”. Jo changed her house in a real recording studio : drums were recorded in the dining room, Guitars in the veranda, vocals on their sofa (with one of her cats on her lap) …They also co-worked with Doug Cook, a sound engineer from England who had previously worked with such names as Jeff Beck, Axel Bauer and Cali among others. She is currently working on the promotion of her album slated to come out in January 2010. Saori Jo touches our hearts through the sincerity, the charisma and the fragility that she displays during her concerts (which by the way are not to be missed). Her hyper creativity leads us to expect beautiful albums in the future …. To be followed (by all means !).
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"She is a waif-like, elfen creature from a French forest glade just across the border from darkest Germany."
Ian Anderson
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http://www.myspace.com/saorijo
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