2011 has been a good development year for BiGiAM artist Jo Harman as she seeks to secure solid foundations for a long and successful career as 'a blues fuelled soul singer of rare distinction', to quote one of her earliest reviews (Brighton Source). 'BBC Introducing' sessions in Plymouth and Cambridge (adding to her BBC The South session of 2010), and attention building performances opening for Average White Band in Newcastle, Wolverhampton and elsewhere served to expand not only her fan base but also increase her exposure to regional reviewers and taste makers.
This regional outreach was further extended by sell out 'arts centre' gigs in Devon and Dorset, alongside impactful festival appearances at Chagstock and North Devon and, more locally, Kent and Meadowlands. Closer to home, Jo played Brighton more selectively in 2011 - most notably opening for Candi Staton at C2 and selling out the Latest Bar - concentrating on securing a reputation in London, getting booked to play the more prestigious London club venues, who programme established artists of the quality of Claire Martin, Liane Carroll, Mica Paris and the like. One particular example is the Hideaway in Streatham (parliamentary Jazz venue of the Year), where Jo enjoys regular prime Friday night bookings and where they, and she, recorded their first ever live album.
Whilst 'Live At Hideaway' is something of a self confessed 'stop gap' whilst Jo continues to explore her development and identity as a writer and (studio) recording artist, the album is nonetheless a good representation of the engaging live act and a DVD professionally recorded at a recent Church gig in Lewes aims to further evidence Jo as a compelling live performer. Indeed, the recent digital release of 'Live At Hideaway' has attracted consistently favourable reviews in places as far afield as America, Holland, Poland, France, Croatia and, indeed, Korea. Indeed, attracting favourable press, albeit local and regional press at this stage of her career, has never been too much of an issue.
Jo continues to enjoy the love and support of truly some of the finest and most 'decorated' (in terms of their playing CV's) musicians in the country....the pool of guys that comprise 'The Company' in 'Jo Harman and Company'. This support and acceptance is invaluable and gives enormous credibility to both Jo's as an artist and also her 'offering' as a live performer. She has also increasingly been asked to 'guest' with some of most noted and respected bands and artists in the soul, blues, gospel and 'groove' community.
All of this has been achieved without any significant backing, marketing plan or financial spend and, indeed, without any studio material whatsoever. Although already accepted and respected in many of the 'right quarters', Jo considers herself still to be an artist in development, not least in terms of material and defining the detail of her musical vision. It's getting increasingly close but she is right not to rush it and progressing this will clearly be one of 2012's priorities, alongside alongside expanding her outreach and building upon the foundations achieved thus far.
