Jodie Manross

“Her crisp voice and illuminative songcraft belie her diminutive stature…equal parts wistful and urgent, it’s atmospheric music that will touch your heart and mind.”

-Los Angeles' Entertainment Weekly

“It’s no wonder why people rave about her power to breathe life into a song.”

- Boone, NC’s The Mountain Times

“Jodie’s voice is strong, rarefied and, to risk hyperbole, maybe even angelic.”

– Knoxville, TN’s Metropulse

“There’s a purity in her voice that touches the soul, and anchored in the folk rock stylings of Patti Griffin and Shelby Lynne, it’s almost impossible to pin her down in any one genre.  –The Maryville Daily Times

 

        With her acoustic-based, Americana and blues-influenced folk rock, Jodie Manross has become one of East Tennessee’s top singer-songwriters.  Known as “the little woman with the big voice,” this petite, 5’2” 29-year-old possesses a powerful voice much larger than her size and surprises audiences with her soulful delivery of songs. Knoxville, TN’s Metropulse, who voted her Knoxville’s 2000 Best Female Vocalist, comments, “…her vocals are the center of the music. Her singing and intimate songwriting shows varying shades of emotion – mournfulness and desperation to jubilance.”  Performing in concert halls, coffeehouses, and colleges throughout the United States, Jodie has opened for many talented, diverse musicians such as John Mayer, Scott Miller, Keb’ Mo’, Rusted Root, Jonatha Brooke, Jump (Little Children), Mindy Smith, Ingram Hill, Me’shell Ndegeocello, Norman Blake, Garrison Starr, Peter Stuart, and Leon Russell.

While Jodie plays her left-handed acoustic guitar, she also often performs with a talented guitarist Laith Keilany. Many have recognized the strengths of their dynamic live show: “With Manross’ booming voice and the group’s energetic playing…they quickly have made a name for themselves (Metropulse).” Laith Keilany composes on acoustic guitar and oud, an 11-stringed Middle Eastern instrument, bringing a unique element to their performances. Laith brings his strengths of alternative tunings, unusual chord progressions, and stinging slide guitar abilities to the stage. Their reputation of being committed live performers as well as their onstage banter has created a buzz about their shows. Asheville’s Mountain Express exclaims, “Together they create a combination of soul with modern folk and rock.”  Knoxville’s Daily Beacon calls them: “a terrific musical outfit that has earned its fans with a wonderful live reputation…talented instrumentalists all of whom display the capability to rock out with the best regional world-beat musicians.”  Jodie and Laith regularly play in venues such as Atlanta’s acoustic club Eddie’s Attic as well as at many Southeastern festivals such as Asheville’s Bele Chere, Chattanooga’s Riverbend, Knoxville’s Sundown in the City, and Atlanta’s Dogwood Festival. This versatility further demonstrates their unique appeal and ability to reach diverse audiences of both rock and folk genres. Jodie has also begun recently performing solo shows. These recent shows showcase Jodie’s intimate writing style, her fiercely personal lyrics and her voice that ranges from powerful and compelling to quiet and honest.

Spotlight Entertainment News likened Jodie’s thoughtful lyrics and songwriting to “lyrical tapestries reminiscent of Ricki Lee Jones and Aretha Franklin.” Knoxville’s Spark* called her second album “a revelation,” while The Daily Beacon described it “a seamless, enchanting project.” Jodie just released an EP entitled, Don’t Save the Kisses, which wanders from alt-country to blues, to rave reviews. Maryville Daily Times says “the result is nothing short of magic.”   From powerful blues riffs to haunting acappela work, Jodie’s original songs showcase her passionate voice and engaging and emotional lyrics. She is a standout among Knoxville songwriters and has been embraced by a supportive Knoxville community.

          This up and coming roots singer-songwriter breaks the traditional singer-songwriter mold and is refreshingly impossible to categorize. This year, Los Angeles’ Entertainment Weekly exclaimed, “Soon you’ll be calling her ‘the’ Jodie Manross.”  With original music that embodies both grace and power, Jodie Manross is not to be missed.      

 

Booking Contact: Jodie Manross

info@jodiemanross.com    www.jodiemanross.com

Jodie Manross One Sheet 

Press Highlights:

 

ÒHer crisp voice and illuminative songcraft belie her diminutive statureÉequal parts wistful and urgent, it's atmospheric music that will touch your heart and mind. Soon you'll be calling her ÒtheÓ Jodie Manross.Ó    

-Los Angeles' Entertainment Weekly

                                            

ÒJodie's  voice demands immediate attention for both its beauty and soulful intensity. Add Laith Keilany, who plays everything from the 11-stringed Middle Eastern oud to acoustic to slide guitar, and the result is nothing short of magic.Ó -Maryville Daily Times

                                        

ÒJodie Manross- what a great singer she is.Ó – Ashley Capps (of AC Entertainment and Bonnaroo) in Knoxville, TN's Cityview Magazine

 

ÒIt's no wonder why people rave about her power to breathe life into a song.Ó

-Boone, NC's The Mountain Times

                           

Òpowered by her pure and distinct voiceÉJodie has become one of Knoxville's hottest acts fusing blues, folk rock, world beat and moreÓ – Asheville, NC's Citizen Times

                                          

ÒJodie's voice is strong, rarefied and, to risk hyperbole, even angelic.Ó - Knoxville's Metropulse

                     

 ÒThere's a purity in her voice that touches the soul, and anchored in the folk rock stylings of Patti Griffin and Shelby Lynne, it's almost impossible to pin her down in any one genre.Ó  -Maryville Daily Times

                                        

ÒÉlyrical tapestries reminiscent of Ricki Lee Jones and Aretha FranklinÓ –Knoxville's Spotlight 

                                     

Éfusing the grace of Sarah McLachlan with the power of Aretha FranklinÓ-Knoxville Daily Beacon

 

ÒÉcreating a combination of soul with modern folk and rock.Ó –Asheville, NC's Mountain Express

                            

 Òa terrific musical outfit that has earned fans with a wonderful live reputationÉtalented instrumentalists who display the capability to rock out with the best regional world-beat musicians.Ó  -Knoxville's Daily Beacon

 

 Òpleasant acoustic roots and uplifting folkÓ – Charlotte, NC's Creative Loafing

                                           

ÒHer vocals hit you like a freight train.Ó –Asheville's Mountain Express

 

ÒWho knew that this much power and passion can come in a pint-sized package? Ó  –Bennie Smith (Producer & Host of the Americana Jukebox on 105.3 WKVL-FM (Knoxville Triple A radio))

 

 ÒJodie Manross may very well be Knoxville's best-kept musical secret. This multitalented singer-songwriter has become known for her heartfelt lyrics and her huge voice.Ó –Johnson City Press

 

Festival Highlights:

-2004 Chattanooga Nightfall – Chattanooga, TN opened for Garrison Starr

-2004 Sundown in the City – Knoxville, TN (10,000) scheduled opener for Steve Winwood

-2003 Atlanta's Dogwood Festival – Atlanta, GA (250,000) headliner –main stage

-2002 Bele Chere - Asheville, NC (350,000) headliner - main rock stage

-2002 Riverbend - Chattanooga, TN (50,000) headliner - main stage

 -2001 and 2002 Sundown in the City –Knoxvillle, TN (5,500) w/ Jump Little Children & Olu Dara

 

Various Venues:

Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN                   Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC

Eddie's Attic, Atlanta, GA                                CBGB's 313 Gallery, NYC

Asheville's Thomas Wolfe, Asheville, NC        Room 5 Lounge, Los Angeles, CA

 

Performance Highlights:

Jodie Manross has performed with these exceptional artists: John Mayer, Rusted Root, Leon Russell, Keb' Mo', Scott Miller, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Norman Blake, Peter Stuart, Jump (Little Children), Pat McGhee Band, Garrison Starr, Jonatha Brooke and Mindy Smith.

                 

Professional Highlights:

-Jodie Manross was voted best female vocalist and best new local CD releases of Knoxville 2000, and runner up for best vocalist in 2001, 2002 and 2003 in Metropulse's Best of Knoxville Polls.

 -Jodie's song, Hard Way was remixed by a Canadian fan as a dance remix that is being played at raves in Canada. ÒWith all the WordsÓ has been covered in weddings throughout the United States.

 -Jodie was a cultural anthropology major at NC's Appalachian State University (1996). There she did historical preservation work and is published in the Appalachian Studies Journal. Here she also interned for Student Action for Farmworkers (based in Raleigh, NC) and worked with migrant farmworkers in the Appalachian Mountains. Since moving to Knoxville, she has been an emergency crisis social worker, GED teacher, and a children's librarian.

-Jodie embraces and is involved with many benefits and causes, including environmental causes, women's issues, and non-profit organizations, such as mpower (musicians for mental health).

 

 

For booking: Contact Jodie at jodie@jodiemanross.com

Website: www.jodiemanross.com (has tour information, bio, pics, mp3s, lyrics, on-line press kit, and links to buy t-shirts and CDs online (at CDBaby.com and amazon.com).