JoJo Smith, where do I start? Have you heard her play the drums? JoJo's time feel is firm, groovy and comfortable. 
I think that's probably because she's a great singer and therefore innately knows what is necessary from the drums. 
If you get a chance to hear her on a live gig you'll see what I mean. It's totally connected. Like the great singing drummers Levon Helm, Don Henley and Zigaboo Modeliste, JoJo makes it look effortless. It's groovy. Makes me wanna dance!!
Hamish Stuart - band / session drummer 

"JoJo Smith is a true soul singer. She sings soul music. She sings with and through her soul. She makes music to nourish her soul – without it she would be lost. Those who have enjoyed Smith’s music over the many years she’s been singing, writing and playing (check out her chops on the drums!) will testify to the above. And yet we are all too few in numbers.
Continuing to make music under her own steam (and terms), Smith turned to crowdfunding for the first time in order to complete her latest album, Standing In The Lovelight. Her Pozible campaign was successful enough to enable her to pay Jim Kelly to engineer the record, and to secure a crack band including Kelly, Greg Lyon, Dave Sanders and Steve Russell. David Ades was scheduled to play sax on the record, but became too ill and died late last year.
For those who have witnessed the guts and passion of Smith’s performances, Standing In The Lovelight is a far more considered and produced affair in comparison; a true studio album. Indeed, as the articulate and restrained funk of ’20 Hail Marys’ slinks through the speakers, you can’t help but be reminded of those studio gurus Steely Dan.
Though Smith has an almighty weapon in her voice, she reserves its power, striking only when necessary. She clearly enjoys being able to explore its gentler ranges in the studio. Her version of Donny Hathaway’s ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ here for evidence of that range.
The four cover songs chosen for this record – Sting’s ‘Fragile’, Daniel Lanois’ ‘The Maker’ and The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird’ on top of the Hathaway song – demonstrate the diversity of Smith’s tastes. And also her uncanny ability to make a song her own – the darker blues drive on ‘Blackbird’ is particularly striking.
Smith’s own material ruminates on love and mortality, her uplifting ‘This Is All There Is’ particularly revealing of her own positive attitude to life." Martin Jones, Ryhthms Magazine



"JoJo Smith has a heart as big as Phar Lap, with music in every bone of her body. Although slight in stature she has a massive voice that is full of musical history and a life lived well, and plays guitar and drums as good as anybody. If you are into music, check her out, you will become a fan." Glenn Wright - Vitamin Records


" It was radio great Billy Pinnell who first put me on to JoJo Smith's music. He described a natural enchanting voice that easily mastered Pop/Latin/Jazz/Gospel and the undescribes genres inbetween. Billy was right, and all the evidence is here on the Blue Birdy CD, named after the Byron Bay Venue in which it was recorded. Billy hadn't yet mentioned Smith's wry
song-writing which dominates this collection. Smith's honest vocals are like a breath of fresh air in a smoky nightclub."
Pete Best - Sunday Herald Sun


"I was blown away by JoJo. Its statistically rare to see a woman locking it down on drums and also statistically rare to see a drummer laying down such amazingly powerful, soulful vocals. Put both of these together and you're left with the statistic of one!! I have never seen anything like the show I saw at Mullum Music Fest, I was blown away!!" 
Ash Grunwald - singer/songwriter/guitarist 

"Since her arrival in Australia in the late 70's, New Zealand born JoJo Smith has cemented her place among the nations most gifted and admired singer/songwriters/musicians. Her greatness manifests itself in various ways. An understanding of the nuances integral to the various genres she explore. Gospel, Jazz, Soul, R&B, Blues, Latin. An emotional involvement in the lyrics she writes and interprets. An elastic voice demure one minute, tough and decisive the next and a technique that is in perfect synch with the numerous A-List musicians she has been associated with throughout her career. 
JoJo has a special stage presence that special singers possess. No histrionics, just a deep connection with audience and musicians. Listen to JoJo's CD, go see her in performance and experience the artistry of this exceptional woman."
Billy Pinnell - Radio Broadcaster/Writer

"JoJo has been an inspiration to myself and many other musicians in Australia for many years."
Renee Geyer - Singer/musician

"JoJo came to our Jazz Festival in Hobart and performed two sell-out concerts in her inimitable style. 
The crowds loved her as she presented a great selection of songs - her voice, the visible interaction
with her backing band and her ability to engage the audience in an honest and genuine way, made the 
concerts a very special treat for all who attended." Wendy Moles, Festival Manager, Clarence Jazz Festival

"Jojo Smith has been an absolute shining light in amongst a talented bunch of musicians involved in our festival.  She drops jaws and melts hearts with every performance.  It doesn't matter that she's a vocal virtuoso who writes some seriously moving songs, she also has the stage presence and sense of humour that allows her to truly connect with any audience in any kind of venue.  She's an incredible talent and a gift to the music festival circuit.  Whether she's singing from behind a drumkit, or from behind a guitar, Jojo knows how to bring music to life."
Colin Thompson, Founder/Director, Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival


​ABC South East NSW
The is a wonderful story about a life in music. Jo Jo Smith isn't a household name but she's performed and recorded as a backing singer with some of Australia's best known singers - and writes soulful, funky songs that she performs and records with Australia's best musicians.

Come backstage to meet Jo Jo Smith.
Please share this if you'd like to support live music and our wonderful musicians - every share spreads the music.

https://www.facebook.com/abcsoutheastnsw/videos/1554848701226258/




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       © Jo Jo Smith 2018