Jo Abbott, pianist and accordionist has over 30 yrs working in the music industry as a bandleader/musician, theatre musician/performer, accompanist and contributor to film and tv. Jo is passionate about performing French and jazz music. Jo has performed and toured with Tilly Bebe ( OzManouche Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival), Ultrafox ( Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival), Django Rhythm ( Stonnington Jazz Festival, Murphy St Jazz Festival), Gatsby’s Vintage Jazz, recorded music for Miss Fischer’s ‘Crypt of Tears feature film, With Gatsby’s Vintage Jazz Band who also appeared in the film) and performed on ‘ Spicks and Specks’ on ABC television.
Jo has worked extensively in theatre as a musician/ performer, with Arena Theatre companies’‘ Robot Song’ in the role of ‘mum/pianist, with tours nationally to Adelaide (Adelaide Playhouse, Dunstan Theatre), Theatreworks season and a national tour to Sydney, Victoria and Canberra. Robot Song won a Helpmann Award during this time. Jo also played the part of ‘the accompanist’ in ‘ Death by Soprano’ with a national tour throughout QLD, Sydney, Victoria and Tasmania, and several seasons in Melbourne. Jo was pianist/performer for ‘ Between the Cracks/Yana Alana for Adelaide Fringe Festival ,2015 ( winner of best cabaret show, 2015), and also toured with the show for a performance in the Auckland International Cabaret Festival. Jo toured with the renowned ‘company ‘Circus Oz as a musician/performer to USA in the show ‘ Straight Up’ with shows in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Arkansas and Iowa. Jo has released albums with the Alan Lee/Jo Abbott Jazz Quartet, ‘ The Music of John Lewis’/Move Records which received positive reviews and national radio play. Jo has also recorded on albums with ‘ La Bande Di Sandro’, ‘ , Yolanda Inglewood II, Belle Musette and Le Bleu. Jo has composed and arranged music for ensembles, studying arranging through Berklee Online. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (QLD Conservatorium of music) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance (Improvisation).