Biography
Judith Owen is a Welsh-born singer, songwriter, and pianist renowned for her sophisticated blend of jazz, pop, classical, blues, and musical theatre influences. Raised in London in a highly musical family—her father was a Covent Garden opera singer—Owen was immersed in classical music, ballet, and the fine arts from an early age. Her exposure to jazz icons and Broadway musicals, especially through her parents' record collection, helped shape her signature sound, which fuses classical technique with jazz sensibility and theatrical flair.
Owen began performing professionally in London, quickly earning a regular slot at the famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Her career has spanned over a dozen albums and international tours, with critical acclaim for her emotionally incisive lyricism and dynamic stage presence. Notable recent projects include the albums 'Come On & Get It' (2022) and 'Judith Owen Comes Alive' (2024), both of which celebrate the legacy of pioneering but often overlooked women in jazz and blues. Now based in New Orleans, Owen continues to tour globally, captivating audiences with her sultry voice, wit, and storytelling prowess.
Owen’s musical style is characterized by its eclecticism and homage to the 'unapologetic' chanteuses of the 1940s and 1950s, such as Julia Lee, Blossom Dearie, and Nellie Lutcher. Her work is recognized for reviving and reinterpreting classic jazz and blues repertoire with a contemporary, empowering twist, solidifying her legacy as both a torchbearer and innovator in vocal jazz.
Fun Facts
- Judith Owen is married to comedian and actor Harry Shearer, best known for his work on 'The Simpsons' and 'This Is Spinal Tap.'
- Her cover of Deep Purple’s 'Smoke on the Water' is a radio favorite and showcases her ability to reinterpret rock classics in a jazz idiom.
- Owen is also known for her comedic sensibilities and has performed as a comedic actress and storyteller in addition to her music career.
- She refers to her band as 'Her Gentlemen Callers,' a playful nod to the tradition of jazz and blues bands fronted by female vocalists.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Julia Lee - Stylistic influence; Owen was inspired by Lee's pioneering jazz and blues vocals discovered in her father's record collection. (Influence evident in 'Come On & Get It' and live repertoire) [Childhood onward]
- Nellie Lutcher - Musical inspiration; Lutcher's risqué lyrics and jazz style deeply influenced Owen's approach to vocal jazz. (Referenced in 'Come On & Get It') [Childhood onward]
- Blossom Dearie - Stylistic influence; Dearie's unique vocal style and repertoire inspired Owen's interpretations and arrangements. (Covers and tributes in live and recorded work) [Childhood onward]
Key Collaborators
- Richard Thompson - Touring and recording partner; Owen performed on Thompson's '1000 Years of Popular Music' tour and album. ('1000 Years of Popular Music' (CD/DVD), 'Sweet Warrior' (Thompson's album), live tours) [2000s–present]
- Kevin Louis - Band member (cornet) in Owen's 'Gentlemen Callers' ensemble. ('Come On & Get It', live performances) [2022–present]
- David Torkanowsky - Band member (piano) in 'Gentlemen Callers'. ('Come On & Get It', live performances) [2022–present]
- Pedro Segundo - Band member (drums) in 'Gentlemen Callers'. ('Come On & Get It', live performances) [2022–present]
- Lex Warshawsky - Band member (bass) in 'Gentlemen Callers'. ('Come On & Get It', live performances) [2022–present]
- k.d. lang - Recording and touring collaborator. (Various live and studio projects) [2000s–present]
- Keb' Mo' - Recording and touring collaborator. (Various live and studio projects) [2000s–present]
- Tom Scott - Recording and touring collaborator (saxophonist). (Various live and studio projects) [2000s–present]
- Julia Fordham - Recording and touring collaborator. (Various live and studio projects) [2000s–present]
- Ian Shaw - Recording and touring collaborator. (Various live and studio projects) [2000s–present]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Come On & Get It (Deluxe) | 2022-07-10 | Album |
| redisCOVERed | 2018-05-25 | Album |
| Judith Owen Swings Christmas | 2024-11-08 | Album |
| Lost and Found | 2005-09-13 | Album |
| Comes Alive [Live from Marians Jazzroom (Bern, Switzerland)] | 2024-05-10 | Album |
| Ebb & Flow | 2014-04-06 | Album |
| Somebody's Child | 2016-05-06 | Album |
| Mopping Up Karma | 2008-06-09 | Album |
| Some Kind of Comfort | 2012-01-30 | Album |
| Somebody's Child (Bonus Track Version) | 2016-05-06 | Album |
| Come On & Get It | 2022-10-07 | Album |
| Happy This Way | 2007-05-22 | Album |
| Here | 2006-08-08 | Album |
| Twelve Arrows | 2006-04-11 | Album |
| Comes Alive (Live from Marians Jazzroom - Bern, Switzerland) | 2024-05-10 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Fine Brown Frame (Come On & Get It (Deluxe))
- Hot Stuff (redisCOVERed)
- Ladies' Man (redisCOVERed)
- Blossom's Blues (Come On & Get It (Deluxe))
- No Better Time (Judith Owen Swings Christmas)
- Last Christmas (Judith Owen Swings Christmas)
- Shape of You (redisCOVERed)
- I Promise You (Mopping Up Karma)
- Why Don't You Do Right ? (Come On & Get It (Deluxe))
- Lady Be Good - Live (Comes Alive [Live from Marians Jazzroom (Bern, Switzerland)])
External Links
Tags: #singer-songwriter
References
Heard on WWOZ
judith owen has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.