Artist description Echo was born from NYC's live drum & bass scene. Askew initially discovered Nakamura playing trumpet and keyboards at the SoHo nightclub Shine's popular party "Prohibited Beatz". The rotating live line-up of DJs, MCs, and diverse musicians (including tabla virtuoso Karsh Kale and guitarist Vernon Reid (plus "real time audio deconstruction" by future Echo mix engineer Roli Mosimann) inspired Askew instantly, because it reminded her of one of her biggest influences: Miles Davis' late-'60s electric period.

Music Style Fusion of traditional vocal jazz and downtempo electronic grooves

Artist History Joy Askew has enjoyed a successful career playing and singing alongside a variety of musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Joe Jackson, Laurie Anderson, and Rodney Crowell. A Lilith Fair alumnus, her previous solo releases include Tender City (1996), Gorgeous Creature (1997), When (1998), and The Same Desperado (2000). Takuya Nakamura has played with such jazz notables as flugelhorn great Clark Terry, drummer/arranger Bob Moses, and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane.

Group Members Joy Askew, Takuya Nakamura

Instruments Joy - Vocals, Keyboards, Drum Programming, producer; Takuya - keyboards, trumpet

Albums ECHO; Joy -

Press Reviews -Andrew Katchen (Billboard Magazine) This 11-song collection pulses and coos so gently with its soft and hypnotic electronic beats and Askew's tender, yet commanding vocal magic. The end result is completely stunning, irresistible, and, well, sexy; -Andy Barrett (Heckler Magazine)Prepare to meet your new favorite band. Echo know how to jazz almost better than they know how to chill. But what Echo knows best is how to spin comfortably in your cd player and temporarily easy your pain, your problems and your mind.

Additional Info ECHO - released September 10th, 2002 (New Line Records)

Location New York, NY - USA

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