Jo Freya

Yes, I do do it – and I have been doing increasingly more of it. I arrive with my piano, sax and a loop pedal and scare the living daylights out of the folk clubs…
…true, to a certain degree. I am often booked by clubs who have a ‘traditional’ stereotype label. They book me because of my legacy and background and often they are as dreadfully frustrated by the labels as I am. They are always keen to say ‘anything goes’ – or almost anything – and as what I do is live, is not noisy and has firm groundings in traditional and contemporary music, I can live up to many reviews which say ‘there’s something here for everyone’.


 

It is what it says on the tin, my duo with my sister. I had better explain that I was originally Jo Fraser but changed my name when I joined Equity as they already had a Jo Fraser, Freya was the nearest I could get.
We don’t gig very often but when we do it’s lovely. There is something special about sibling voices and we play tunes as well as sing.
The only reason we don’t do more is that Fi works full time and I am torn in many pieces as it is but we have never actually stopped and there is an intention to do a Fraser Sisters CD to add to ‘The Fraser Sisters’ (sadly no longer available) and ‘Going Around’.
Here’s hoping.

 

 

Hark Hark is the collective name for Christmas shows as performed by Barry Coope, Lester Simpson, Jo Freya and Fi Fraser. They have done three seasons as this quartet and have a new show for 2016 onwards. The show is called ‘A Winters Light’. Reflecting all aspects of the winter season from the beautiful polyphonic carols, of North Yorkshire, Derbyshire and more to the irreverent nature at Christmas of finance, food and fun.
Each year new material becomes  the main part of the shows but old favourites have to be revisited as there are many beautiful carols that are only sung by us. The repertoire is either sung in a cappella four part harmony or accompanied on various instruments including piano, soprano sax, fiddle, accordion and traditional flutes.

Every year several people say - "Christmas starts with you” and they seek out a place to come and see us often willing to travel far to do it.
Our CD Hark Hark was described in EDS as “ A recording for life, not just for Christmas. As good as that.” and fRoots: “ A seasonal frolic with a special blend of voices that is lusty in both character and attack. Yes Hark Hark fulfils its function, furnishing us with a feelgood festive feast” - These comments aptly describe the live experience. Contact Jo to book.

Yes we do still exist!!!! Book us now.
Where have we been I hear you ask.?
Well there have been illnesses – and a number of babies – but we have never stopped and don’t really intend to. So, if you run dances in your area, how about it? There is me, plus Alice Kinloch, who is truly impressive on tuba and trombone, Jo May on percussion, Heather Horsley on keyboard, Linda Game and Fi Fraser on fiddles (although Fi plays clarinet too) and Jackie Allen playing a bit of fiddle and some sax.?
We do our own calling, thus ensuring that the dances fit with the music. We have a party on stage and that tends to communicate to the audience.