Norah Jones

The daughter of concert promoter Sue Jones and legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, Jones had a cornucopia of music genres and a plenitude of influences at her fingertips. Music is innately wired in her mind and as early as 5, she started out singing in church choirs. She continued to work hard, learning the piano, the guitar, and saxophone, all the while taking vocal lessons throughout her high school and college years. Freshly out of school, she plunged into her art and set sail of her 2002 debut album, Come Away With Me. It has sold over to 27 million copies worldwide. She took the music industry by the horns following that release and she has been consistent in putting out albums regularly and growing her fan base in all corners of the world.

Jones has numerous achievements, accolades, and eclectic collaborations, with legends such as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. She took part in the “Hank Williams Project” with Bob Dylan at the helm and recently formed a country-pop all women’s band (Puss n Boots).

Jones is indeed a legend in the making. She incorporates multiple genres in her compositions, creating a fondue-pot of blues, country, soul, and pop. Jones has a Midas touch, appealing to various musical tastes. Touring internationally, recording solo and with other groups, Jones is a non-stop musical dynamo.

Earlier today at the fest, the weather was not cooperative. The sky was full of thick gray clouds and sparse showers were driving some of the spectators away. None the less, most of the crowd braved the rain to reserve their spots for the shows and especially, it seems, for Jones. The lucky early comers sat closely upfront in their portable lawn chairs patiently waiting for Jones to make her entrance.

Jones was veritably laid back and grounded as she casually entered the stage and greeted her audience. She sat at the piano and opened her set with  “Just a little bit”, off her latest compilation. When the song ended she said “two new songs, two old songs”… Then she proceeded to play “It Was You”, off the same album.

She genuinely played tribute to her major influences, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holiday when she sang such songs as “Come Away With Me” and “Carry on”. Her official video for “ Carry on” has over nine million views!

When she did “Sunrise”, and covered Jesse Harris & The Ferdinandos  “Don’t Know Why”, the fans cheered and sang along. She certainly has a flair for covers in such that she makes them her own. Jones’ voice was pitch-perfect on every note and the tranquillity and sweetness of her songs created the perfect relaxing atmosphere.