Born an Army brat, Jo spent her childhood moving all over the United States and Europe living on different military bases with her family. She fell in love with performance at an early age and moved to New York to formally study theater and music. In New York, she started playing guitar and writing songs. Upon graduating NYU, Jo threw herself into classical vocal studies and began the long process of songcrafting, all the while experimenting with different forms of artistic expression.

In 2005, Jo formed a short-lived fusion (jazz, classical, folk) group with trumpet player Charlie Porter called "Joellen and the Dogbiters". She has also worked with avant-garde/classical composer Faye Ellen Silverman. who wrote "Left Behind" a fifteen-minute piece for French horn and voice. This composition was based on a musical story Jo created with Ann Ellsworth called "Left Right" which was performed at the New School. As an actress, Jo has performed in new plays as well as some of Shakespeare's classics. Jo has also worked on soundscape projects with video artist Chris Allen and "the Light Surgeons" and other multi-media artists.

In 2008, Jo released her well received EP 'Wake on the Hudson' which she wrote while living on a 66-foot boat docked on the Jersey side of the Hudson. She often plays in New York City at such venues as Rockwood Music Hall, the Living Room, Pianos, Banjo Jim's, regionally in Long Island and in Connecticut. Recently, she debuted "By Associations" a radio show that features live music, guests and portraits of interesting persons on WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport, CT. She is indebted to Bob Johnson at WPKN for all the time spent in radio mentorship on his "Second Saturday Magazine". She has worked with countless talented New York-based musicians including Jim Campilongo, Ann Ellsworth, Charlie Porter, and Brent Arnold. Currently, she is working on her second recording.

Jo also gives vocal lessons and beginner guitar lessons. For a lesson or booking email her at jo@jowilliamson.com

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