​Captivating singer-songwriter Jo has been writing music prolifically from as far back as she can remember. 
 
She began playing piano at age 9, working out that she took most of the enjoyment from creating her own pieces. She took lessons until she reached Grade 6 and then continued to self-teach. Jo took singing lessons for a year in her early twenties, before continuing to self-teach.

Jo is making waves with her unique style, expressing her passion for creativity and performance. She has released two EPs - Lucid Dreams and Locked In. A prolific writer Jo is in the process of recording her debut album - the first single from the album, Embers, released in 2016, was her debut video single. The record was followed up by Adrift and Otherworldly.

Jo's stage presence has been described as mesmerising. Sometimes likened to Kate Bush and Siouxsie Sioux, yet maintaining uniqueness in her style, she has the ability to reel audiences into her world during her live shows. 

Having taken her music to London venues Jo has also performed at Cambridge's infamous Strawberry Fair, the Cambridge Rock Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
For her live shows Jo is sometimes accompanied by Mike Wheatley and bass player Nigel Turner. 

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“Jo Ash was just wonderful … playing amazing songs with charm, passion and verve….I was simply mesmerised”.

(Howard Rankin, Cambridge Rock Festival, 2017)

“...a brilliant writer and a spellbinding performer…” (Karen Angela, Kontra Roots event 2018)

 

 

Jo is proud to have been nominated twice for an NMG Award for Female Solo Artist (2016 and 2017).

Jo also fronts Cambridge rock band, Derecho. Derecho have been going strong since 2010 and, amongst appearing in venues such as London's 100 Club in London, they have played main stages at Willow Festival and Cambridge Rock Festival. The music is driven by solid drumming and driving bass lines, powerful guitars and emotive, melodic vocal performances.
Derecho are: Jo Ash (piano/vocals), Mike Wheatley (guitar), Mike Ellis (drums), Steve Banks (bass).
As a member of rock band Derecho Jo has played over 100 shows across the UK including festivals and London clubs, released three studio albums and three EPs and received global radio airplay. 

 

Derecho gigs can be found via the website here.

Jo’s previous work includes singing in a professional covers band, writing and performing for a semi-pro rock jazz fusion band, and singing and playing on Mike Ellis’ album Me/Lp v.1.