Wonder Woman of the Week: Norah Jones

I’m writing today’s post on a chilly, rainy, typical Alaskan weather day; sitting in a coffee shop listening to smooth rock and I could only see one woman to be this week’s showcase. Anyone with a sense of hearing can understand why this week’s Wonder Woman is rainy weather music extraordinaire Norah Jones.

Norah Jones is the daughter of legendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar and more than likely inherited her dad’s skill for music. Jones was however raised only by her mother- and told one reported from the Independent that her relationship with Shankar only began after she turned eighteen. At the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Jones honed her skills in vocals and piano- where she excelled above all others. [1]

Jones then attended college at the University of North Texas, Jones majored in jazz piano. After two years, Norah Jones accepted a friend’s invitation to come to New York City. In the summer of 1999, Jones left Texas for New York and in 2001, Jones signed to the jazz record label Blue Notes Records and recorded her first album, Come Away With Me. Jones was not without her share of controversy. When her first album hit sores, many criticized the songstress as “just another pretty face” (an argument thrown against many former WWoW’s), or riding on the success of her (absent) father Shankar. The album however lauched Jone’s career ­and sent Blue Notes Records into a new age combining jazz with pop- Jones’ specialty. [2]

Since Come Away with Me Norah Jones has recorded four more solo albums, one compilation album of her work with other bands and musicians, an album with her recent band Puss N Boots, and an album with musician Billie Joe. [3] Like with last week’s Julia Child post, the best way to showcase an artist like Jones is to leave a link to her works. To listen to Norah Jones’ music, you can visit the Wonder Woman of the Week’s site here (http://www.norahjones.com/discography/little-broken-hearts).

[4]

"Norah Jones Biography." Bio.com. Accessed January 21, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/norah-jones-9542593#career-breakthrough.

"Norah Jones Bio | Norah Jones Career." MTV Artists. Accessed January 21, 2015. http://www.mtv.com/artists/norah-jones/biography/.

"Discography." Discography. Accessed January 21, 2015. http://www.norahjones.com/discography.

"Little Broken Hearts." Little Broken Hearts. Accessed January 21, 2015. http://www.norahjones.com/discography/little-broken-hearts.