Dallas area native redefines the sound of jazz

Norah Jones’ newly released album Come Away With Me isn’t your parents’ jazz. It’s a mixture of smoky blues and quiet rock that teases listeners with R&B and country riffs. Her successful fusion of different styles and genres gives Come Away With Me universal appeal.

“I don’t know if it can be classified as jazz really, or pop music,” Jones said. “Hopefully, it can be appreciated by fans of both. It has lots of different elements and in the end though, it is all about the songs.”

The album, released by Blue Note in February, showcases Jones’ lyrical songwriting and playing ability. Like the variation of styles, the album is a compilation of new and old ballads.

Come Away With Me gave Jones the opportunity to produce several original works, including the title track. But the singer also took time to revamp many of her old favorites for her first full-length studio album.

“I feel like this record is a pretty full expression of where I am now,” Jones said. “It’s music of mine, and many of my friends. Also some jazz standards and covers. I’m not inspired by the music of today, I’m inspired by the music of yesterday.”

With Come Away With Me Jones revises several tunes of yesterday, including the old Hank Williams tune “Cold Cold Heart” and J.D. Loudermilk’s “Turn Me On.” But her renditions are anything but honky-tonk. While there’s a slight country undertone to the melodies, Jones gives both songs a new, sultry and emotional performance.

Jones is a product of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in downtown Dallas. Over the years, the Dallas Arts Magnet has produced many successful musicians, including Grammy winner Erykah Badu. Jones hopes to be added to the list of Grammy winning alumni.

Classmates of Jones recall her quiet presence at the piano and her seemingly effortless ability to transpose her thoughts and emotions to a jazzy melody. It was apparent to classmates that Jones enjoyed singing, but believed that a solid foundation in piano was just as important.

“In high school, all I listened to was jazz,” Jones said. “I wanted to be a jazz pianist and sing like Sarah Vaughan.”

The 22-year-old Texan has a sound reminiscent of Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt, with a little Natalie Merchant thrown in for good measure. She has a mature voice that she says shows influences of her childhood. Jones grew up listening to soul queen Aretha Franklin, country crooner Willie Nelson and ballad diva Joni Mitchell.

Come Away With Me offered Jones the chance to work with two of those influences. Jones now shares the same producer as Franklin and recently opened for Nelson, per his request, at a series of concerts in San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium.

Jones has toured the major late-night television shows and is scheduled to go on tour with musician John Mayer this spring.

The young singer’s original work is interesting and shows the potential of what could be a prolific music career. With Jones’ voice, the covers become smoky and drawn out and the melodies flow freely from her fingertips to the keyboard.

If anything, the album may be too mellow. It may never be recommended as a house party dance album or this year’s great workout collection. Come Away With Me is more suited to a leisurely day spent vegging on the couch. Jones’ smoky tone also makes it a great romantic date-night album.

And while the mostly live-recorded album is an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, pop and country, the smooth quality of Jones’s lyrical storytelling pulls it all together.

You may not be a jazz fan now, but take a moment to check out this diverse assortment of sound. To borrow a line from People Magazine’s review of Come Away With Me, “this is one Jones you’ll want to keep up with.”