Jazz-soul vocalist Sarah Jane Morris has released 15 albums over the last 30 years becoming one of Britain’s great jazz-soul vocalists since first finding fame in the 80s with bands like The Republic, Happy End and The Communards. She has collaborated with musicians in genres ranging from rock to soul to African blues, including Ravi Shankar, Gil Scott Heron, and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Sarah Jane lives in St. Leonards on Sea and has a twenty eight-year old son.
UKJazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling motherhood and career?
Sarah Jane Morris: Breast feed for as long as possible as it makes travelling with your baby an easier affair.
UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?
SJM: Don’t check all your luggage in the hold, make sure you have at least one change of clothes for the baby and you, and enough nappies to cover all eventualities. I had that journey going to Italy for a concert, and not only did my baby sick up all over me, but he had the nappies from hell and we arrived and the luggage never made it. I had to wash everything I was wearing and hang it out of the window to dry so I had something to wear on stage.
UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other mothers in jazz:
SJM: When I was breastfeeding, I would use my breast pump in the toilets in between sets so I had milk ready for when I returned home very late at night, and I could then sleep.
UKJN: Baby/child gear tips for travel/touring/gigging:
SJM: When doing concerts in the UK I found a travel cot very useful. For abroad concerts I would invite a friend to come too so at the concert they would hold my baby whilst I was on stage.
UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:
SJM: Involve the band and get the baby used to being handed to various members of the band, especially on flights. It’s also part of their education preparing them for when they become parents.
UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?
SJM:You learn how to get so much done when your child is sleeping during the day. That sense of organisation and juggling several things at once is vital and useful in all aspects of your life.
UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a mother in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?
SJM: My son travelled everywhere with me until he was the age where he had to be at school, so it meant we were very bonded, and there wasn’t separation anxiety. My son is now a singer songwriter himself and understands the life of the travelling musician, and the ‘wherever you lay your hat is your home’ approach.
Sarah Jane’s new album, ‘The Sisterhood,’ will be released on 8 March 2024. It is an ambitious project celebrating ten female artists who’ve inspired and shaped Sarah Jane’s life. One song written about each of the following groundbreaking women: Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Annie Lennox, and Kate Bush – written with her long standing collaborator jazz/blues guitarist Tony Rémy. Release performances takes place at The Tung auditorium in Liverpool on the 8th March and at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on March 9th with a 12 piece band and a 40 piece choir.
(*) Mothers in Jazz was started by vocalist Nicky Schrire. The initiative aims to create an online resource for working jazz musicians with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Mothers In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a mother and a performing jazz musician.
LIVE: FRIDAY 8 MARCH THE TUNG AUDITORIUM, LIVERPOOL (TICKETS)
SATURDAY 9 MARCH ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE, LONDON (TICKETS)
