Norah Jones rose to stardom with her 2002 release Come Away With Me, an accessible blend of contemporary jazz, folk and country music. Since then she has released multiple albums under Danger Mouse’s production; most recently Little Broken Hearts produced in 2012.

Geetali Norah Jones Shankar changed her name at 16 with her father’s permission, drawing on an array of influences for her own unique musical voice.

Born in New York City

Norah Jones made her mark with the critically acclaimed debut album Come Away With Me. Its comfortable blend of jazz, folk and pop made an immediate impactful statement about Jones as an adult contemporary radio artist and won her the Grammy Award for best new artist.

Jones released her second acoustic album, Feels Like Home (2004), as an international success. It earned her another Grammy for best female pop vocal performance.

Jones has collaborated with various artists, appearing in movies such as Two Weeks Notice and Daddy’s Home. She sang for Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s 2011 soundtrack album Music Is Better Than Words as well as Ted.

Jones attended the University of North Texas, an esteemed music program known for its music programs. There, she met future Little Willies collaborator Jesse Harris; with whom she produced their third album together: The Fall.

Raised in Dallas

As a child, Geetali Norah Jones Shankar – born to Ravi Shankar of world-renown sitar player fame and Sue Jones (an employee of concert promoter Bill Graham) – took voice lessons and piano lessons, learning also the saxophone and singing in her church choir. Later she attended Interlochen Arts Camp, Grapevine High School, Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before enrolling at University of North Texas to major in jazz piano performance.

At UNT, she joined Laszlo school band with drummer Jerome Covington and bassist Bill Campbell – an award-winning duo known for performing captivating live performances at local clubs.

Jones found her early musical influences through her mother’s record collection, which featured Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday among others. Additionally, Anoushka Shankar (her half-sister) is an internationally acclaimed sitar maestro herself; In 2007, Norah made her feature film debut in director Kar Wai Wong’s My Blueberry Nights.

Educated at the University of North Texas

There’s no doubting the strength and emotional resonance of Jones’ voice; she delves deep to reach listeners on an intimate level before skillfully hiding those feelings with poetic verse and innovative musical textures.

Jones credits Billie Holiday, Etta James and Ray Charles with having inspired her music as she studied piano at University of North Texas Dallas under the tutelage of professors such as Craig Street – now her manager.

On Sept. 21, she returned to campus to receive the President’s Medal of Honor, the highest award the university offers. At an audience with students she answered their queries from a packed recital hall in the main music building and performed as part of Oaktopia, of which UNT is premier sponsor. Prior to performing she participated in a panel discussion hosted by John W. Richmond, dean of College of Music.

Lives in Brooklyn

Since her 2002 debut with Come Away With Me, Norah Jones has established herself as a diamond-certified artist with releases that blend jazz, country, folk rock and Great American Songbook styles. Her willowy voice – with its mix of smokey tones and yearning tone – brings both new and familiar sounds together into one seamless listen experience.

Visions was released in 2020 with producer Leon Michels, known for his work with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Desco/Arc label family. Together they created an album-length set of songs that explore feeling free, dancing freely, and finding joy in accepting life’s gifts.

Jones is a Brooklyn-based vocalist and pianist known for her prolific collaboration. She has appeared alongside Ray Charles, Dolly Parton and Q-Tip as well as providing vocals and piano for guitarist Charlie Hunter’s album Songs From the Analog Playground; on 2005 album Jacksonville City Nights by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals as well as being honorary chairwoman of Fry Street Fire fundraiser.