Norah Jones remains a humble and down-to-earth Texas girl despite the heights to which her music has taken her. Though surprised at the success of her multi-GRAMMY award win, many would argue that this talented young lady was always meant for stardom.
Born in Grapevine, Texas
Geethali Norah Jones Shankar was raised by her mother after her famous sitar player father, Ravi Shankar, abandoned her at four. At five, she started singing in church choirs before taking piano lessons two years later and also learning alto saxophone in junior high school. Following this passion for music she attended Dallas’ Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts where she participated in both choirs as well as jazz vocal ensemble.
Norah’s teachers recognized her talent, encouraging her to further her musical education at the University of North Texas. Since then she has collaborated with artists like Ryan Adams (2005 album Jacksonville City Nights she appeared on) and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.
Come Away With Me is Norah’s debut record, boasting an eclectic mix of genres produced by Arif Mardin (renowned producer who worked on landmark recordings by Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Laura Nyro Roberta Flack and Willie Nelson among many others) featuring vocals by Norah, piano by Lee Alexander as well as guitarists Jesse Harris and Adam Levy from New York musicians.
Moved to New York City
Norah Jones first came onto the music scene nearly 20 years ago with her 2002 debut album Come Away With Me, an eclectic blend of jazz, pop and even country that became an instant classic and won multiple Grammy awards.
She came from Texas but decided to make New York home, scraping together enough rent for $500-per-month playing piano bars throughout Midtown Manhattan. Soon thereafter she made an impressionful mark among New York’s underground music scene; quickly making connections in jazz as well as pop circles.
Jones remains a woman of many voices and genres. She has collaborated with artists including Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Ray Charles, Ryan Adams, Dolly Parton and Outkast; played old-school country with Little Willies project; rocked out in garage punk band El Madmo; and recorded moody electric instrumentation on album Feels Like Home.
Signed a contract with Blue Note Records
Jones’ initial success garnered significant media coverage; it also brought unwanted scrutiny of her family history: her father is legendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar and spent 10 years not seeing his daughter perform live onstage; they eventually made amends and have continued touring together since.
Norah’s first album, Come Away With Me, was an outstanding debut release that showcased her as a soft-spoken singer with an unforgettable voice. While purists may hesitate to call it jazz, the record nevertheless proved an enormously successful commercial and critical success that reached both jazz and mainstream charts, being reissued multiple times (CD, vinyl represses with bonus tracks as well as 3-CD/ 4-LP Super Deluxe Editions featuring bonus tracks) with originals (including her haunting version of Hank Williams country classic Cold, Cold Heart) as well as covers from Lee Alexander who wrote or co-wrote some tracks while composer Jesse Harris supplied some melodies that provided some melodies.
Released her debut album Come Away With Me in 2002
Norah Jones has cemented her place among today’s most-beloved singer-songwriters with her soulful and seductive vocals and dexterous piano playing. Her soothing music creates a soothing, tranquil experience that pulls listeners in quickly before never letting them go again.
Jones decided to leave UNT after her sophomore year to pursue her musical dreams in New York City, performing at restaurants and bars until eventually meeting a label executive from Blue Note Records who saw potential in her talents and signed her.
Come Away With Me became an immense hit on both jazz and pop charts worldwide, selling over 30 million copies. Yet Norah Jones has kept out of the limelight; an approach which has served her well over time.