Singer-songwriter-pianist Norah Jones celebrated her 43rd birthday, and celebrated several other milestones, with a multitude of other achievements and music announcements this month.
Norah Jones’ Early Life
Born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30, 1979, in Manhattan, NY, she was born into a wealth of musical authority – her mother Sue Jones a concert producer, and her father, Ravi Shankar, a top influence on one of the biggest bands the world has known.
Beatles fans may know Jones’ name for another reason. Her father, the late Shankar, was one of the biggest forces for The Beatles’ music – his influence especially noted with late guitarist George Harrison. When Shankar and Harrison met, Shankar taught Harrison how to play the Sitar – a long-necked, 17-string Indian instrument, with plucked strings, and metal rod frets. The Beatles’ first song featuring the Sitar was “Norwegian Wood” on their 1965 Rubber Soul album.
Peter Malick Helped Norah Jones Get Her Start
Aside from being the daughter of a legendary musician, the singer is a success in her own right. Known for her blues-jazz-sultry voice, Jones got her start when she was noticed by blues guitarist and record producer, Peter Malick. According to Malick, he was looking for a singer who wanted to record his latest songs for him. He walked into the iconic NYC-based concert venue, The Living Room, and caught Jones’ last song of her set – Dinah Washington’s “Since I Fell For You.” He also wrote in his CD liner notes, that after he heard Jones’ voice, he immediately asked Jones to record his songs.
Since then, her sound and talent have appealed to musicians outside of her genre. Jones has previously worked with Cyndi Lauper on a Christmas duet, and hip hop artists Outkast, Q-Tip, and Talib Kweli, to name a few.
Since she began her music career, she’s also released eight albums, including her debut smash-hit album, Come Away With Me.
Jones Celebrates 20 Years of Come Away With Me
Jones not only has her birthday to celebrate this month, but according to her social media post, she’s also reissuing her 20th-anniversary edition album of Come Away With Me, the album that put her in the music spotlight with her song of the same album name, and “Don’t Know Why,” songs that peaked at the 12th and fifth spots on the Billboard charts for “Adult Alternative Airplay,” after the album debuted in 2002.
The album itself garnered her five of her nine Grammy Awards. According to Jones’ announcement post about the album, the “20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition,” with a release date of April 29 will have 44 tracks. 22 of those tracks will be new releases and include early demos, and Jones herself wrote a long notes section telling the album’s story.
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Jones’ fans were overjoyed about her hit album’s anniversary. One fan commented on the post that “Come Away With Me” was her wedding song, and that she and her husband always stop to dance to it whenever it comes on. The album also helped fans get through tough times. Another fan wrote, “That original disc got me through the nights following open heart surgery.”
Jones’ Future Music Plans
Jones is returning to the festival circuit this summer as part of Newport Jazz Festival this coming July, playing alongside Esperanza Spalding, The Fearless Flyers, Terence Blanchard, and dozens of other acts.
The singer also recently announced a summer tour throughout the U.S. with tour support from fellow singer Regina Spektor, who announced a new album, and she expressed her excitement to get back on the road in the post.
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“I can not wait to play music again and exchange some good energy with you all!!! I’m ready!!!”
Her fans were just as excited about her return.
One fan commented on her post, “OMGGG IM SOO HYPE” and another wrote, “Wow my dream performance.”
Jones’ tour with Regina Spektor begins June 20th in Oregon and goes through August 4 in New York. More info can be found here.
