June 3, 2008

Dear Good, Kind and Generous Folk on my email list -

I know this to be true, because together we helped build a school in India when so many of you contributed to our Happy Ever After Tsunami Remix charity. If you’re not familiar, you can read more and watch the video at MySpace <http://www.myspace.com/juliafordham>.

The other week I was driving along listening to a distressing story on NPR about a man in China who was trapped under a collapsed building from the earthquake. He was frantically calling his relatives on his cell phone - they were trying to dig him out and find help to reach him.

I found myself consumed with concern at the thought of this scared man fighting for his life. I haven't been able to get him out of my mind, and keep wondering what happened to him. Did he make it? I felt helpless, but then thought of something I might be able to do to help those suffering so terribly in China at this time.  

This led me to the idea of offering a recent LIVE version of my song CHINA BLUE as a download, with ALL of the proceeds going towards a project called “Half The Sky” <http://halfthesky.org>.

This group is dedicated to providing nurturing care for China’s orphaned children. After reading about how this organization is already helping in Sichuan by offering
emergency and long-term relief in this devastated area, I felt compelled to get on board and support their efforts.

China Blue (Live in Osaka) was recorded during our Jazz trio tour of the Billboard Live venues in Japan earlier this year. Captured by our dazzling sound engineer, Tom Dube <http://www.myspace.com/tomdube> (who also took the photo) - the tour featured the fabulous Spencer Cozens on piano <http://www.spencercozens.com/> (he is currently working with 2 of my all time fave artists John Martyn and Joan Armatrading), the amazing Jason Smith on drums <http://www.alternityrecords.com/jason-smith.html>
and the indispensable Brett Simons <http://www.myspace.com/brettsimons> on bass.

Joan Armatrading - <http://www.joanarmatrading.com/>
John Martyn - <http://www.johnmartyn.com/>

Available only in the U.S, China Blue (Live in Osaka) is now downloadable on MySpace at <http://www.myspace.com/juliafordham> for the charitable sum of $4.99.

I will collect the proceeds and then donate ALL of the profits to “Half the Sky”.

Thank you for all of your continued support.
xo – Julia



April 25, 2008


Dear All,
Thank you sooooooooo much for making me the #1 most downloaded artist on NovaTunes.
For the tons of you who wrote back saying you were waiting for the actual China Blue CD, in a box with a photo on the front, it is now available at CD Baby
http://cdbaby.com/cd/fordhamjulia
And if you prefer downloading, it is now on iTunes http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=276017544

ALSO, this Sunday, April 27, on the top ABC telly box show ‘Brothers and Sisters’, “The World Keeps Spinning” (from China Blue) is going to be played.

I am not sure how loud or how long, but if you go over to 
www.myspace.com/juliafordham you can hear it and will then recognize it when it comes on!

It was so glorious to be back in the Philippines and Japan in February/March. We posted some pictures of our trip/tour on My Space if you want to check them out. Soon we’ll post some live songs too!

We are currently planning a few East Coast dates for October and will keep you posted.

Finally while you are over at CD Baby, check out my fab 3 gal pals:

Judith Owen - ‘Let’s Hear It For Love’ (from her upcoming June 3rd release “Mopping Up Karma”)
Check out her first digital single on iTunes & Amazon

Angie Giles – Life Project LP2
http://cdbaby.com/cd/lifeproject2

Amy Engelhardt (the sole female member of Grammy-nominated vocal quartet The Bobs)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/amyengelhardt

I also recommend Michael Jost. http://www.MySpace.com/MichaelJost
He is a fantastic guitar player who I heard at a party the other week.

Splendid things to you all.
xo Julia

January 14, 2008

Dear Family, Friends, Followers & Fans -

I can barely believe it myself, BUT ........... my brand new album, China Blue, is now available on NovaTunes.
An Internet music company, NovaTunes sells music to a global audience in high quality, digital album format,
complete with a social network that creatively links artists with their fans.
 
Faster than you can say, "Ooooo, she's gone all jazzy on this one" - you will be able to download the whole record
by going to juliafordham.novatunes.com. With the purchase, you will also receive liner notes, lyrics, musician information and credits.

What's completely incredible to me is that I don't even have a copy myself yet, you know, like it used to be in the golden days of yore, in a CD box with a photo of me on the front! Recorded this summer, back in London with my brilliant collaborator Grant Mitchell from the Happy Ever After/Porcelain era, we have re-recorded 2 songs from that album. China Blue with a jazz trio featuring the incredible percussionist Miles Bould on drums, (you may remember Miles from the Lock and Key video and Porcelain album), with his cool cat pals Simon Edwards on bass and Stelios Kalisperides on guitar. Also, For You Only For You, now features the superb jazz violinist Chris Garrick and Grant playing exquisite piano.

There are 7 other original songs, PLUS a cover of Michael McDonald’s I Keep Forgettin’ (We're Not In Love Anymore) with the man himself, as in, THE MICHAEL MCDONALD, as in, the one with the grey beard and the astonishing, magnificent heaven sent voice singing on it!

I SWEAR IT IS TRUE.

A wonderful musician/pianist I have been working with here in LA, Jon Gilutin, recorded a version of the song which we had been performing at recent gigs. Then, my dear friend and co-writer on Threadbare & Different Time, Different Place (from the Falling Forward album) Simon Climie played it to Michael when they were working in the studio on Michael's forthcoming album and, a second later, Michael was singing along with my vocal on the track. Simon pressed record, and hey presto, I NOW HAVE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ICONS SINGING BACKING VOCALS ON MY VERSION OF HIS SONG.

I may never fully recover from the excitement!

For those of you who still like to own an actual CD, NovaTunes will be making China Blue available.  Other online retailers (iTunes and CD Baby) will also soon sell the record.

In February, I am going to the Philippines and will be performing with my dear friend musician extraordinaire Toti Fuentes:

February 8 @ Alabang Town Center Mall
February 9 @ TriNoma Mall in Quezon City
February 10 @ Glorietta Mall in Makati City
February 13 @ Ayala Center Mall in Cebu

And YES, there will be California gigs in February ... They are all seated shows and will have no opener.
And we will have China Blue there too!

February 26 @ Soho in Santa Barbara
Doors @ 6 pm
Julia @ 8 pm
Tickets and more Info available at their website
<http://www.sohosb.com>

February 27 @ The Roxy in Los Angeles
Doors @ 8 pm
Julia @ 8:45 pm
Tickets and more Info available at their website
<http://www.theroxyonsunset.com>

February 28 @ Bimbo’s in San Francisco
Doors @ 7 pm
Julia @ 8:15 pm
Tickets and more Info available at their website
<http://www.bimbos365club.com>

There are no other touring plans but we will keep you posted.

So in the meantime -  race over to NovaTunes where China Blue is ready to download and you can also check out new releases by Jackson Browne, Graham Nash and a bunch of other amazing artists.  

Jazzably and Downloadably Yours -
xo Julia

And don’t forget <http://www.myspace.com/juliafordham> where updates, photos, videos and music will always be posted!

<http://www.novatunes.com>

August 24, 2006

Dear All -
The time has come for me to get back on the horse as it were. I will be riding into town to play at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Sunday, October 1st for the 3rd Annusal Santa Barbara Smooth Jazz Festival. Also performing will be: Craig Chaquico, Warren Hill and Ray Parker Jr.

Sponsored by our friends at Magic 106.3, the show starts at 3pm and I should be on from 5pm - 6pm. They tell me I will have a beautiful cage with a sign that reads PLEASE DON'T FEED THE SINGER (unless it's tea and cake obv!).

Tickets and more information are available at: http://www.ticketweb.com or http://www.santabarbarazoo.org

Then on Saturday, October 7th we will trot on down to Hollywood for an all-seated gig at the Troubadour. There will be no opener, doors open at 7:30 and I should be on stage by 8:30.
Advance Tickets - $17.50 / Day of show - $20.00
For tickets - http://www.troubadour.com

I'm plannning on trying out some of my new Jazz songs, along with the old faves, and a couple from the new Baby Love EP.
If you haven't heard it, you can listen to snippets on iTunes or hear a complete song at http://www.myspace.com/juliafordham

I recently did a little cameo in a new video for singer songwriter extraordinaire Judith Owen. Directed by Jamie Lee Curtis, you can watch "Here" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK_Gdog-BbU
I'm the one in the brunette wig (in case any of you have wondered what I might look like with brown hair) playing the part of of Judith's Mum ... when she was a kid, not now.
Motherhood hasn't aged me quite that much!

Thanks so much for the TONS of birthday wishes.
Love from the land of diapers.
Julia

May 5, 2006

Dear All - 
For the hip and trendy and modern and happening amongst you, click here where ITunes is available
http://www.itunes.com
And whizz over the cosmic intergalactic highway where you can download all 5 tracks from my recently finished Baby Love EP in an ITunes exclusive.

Although I say so myself, well I am the President of Little Boo Records afterall, the Baby Love EP really does make the perfect Baby Shower or Mother's Day gift. 
Folks who have heard it say they find the beautiful love songs work equally well for singing to their partners and pets!

If that isn't exciting enough, I will have my first ever PodCast.
You can check it out next week at http://www.awal.com/podcasts/fordham_babylove.m4a
I will also post the date on my websites.

I spoke to the Head Of Press for Little Boo Records this morning so I could ask how best to describe the Baby Love EP, and I said to myself, "This is Julia's most precious collection of songs yet, combining both her jazzy yet soulful range." There are 3 ballads and 2 upbeat jazzy numbers and you can check out 30 seconds of each track over at ITunes. 

Also, you can skip over to www.myspace.com/juliafordham and hear the whole of the delightful "How I Love You Baby".

Some of you have been asking about any live shows.
If you live in the Los Angeles area, I will be singing at What A Pair! A celebration of duets to benefit breast cancer research.
On Sunday, June 11 @ 7:30 at the Wiltern/LG Theatre
I will be singing a duet with my pal Judith Owen.
Other performers include:
Christina Applegate, Joely Fisher & Katey Sagal.
More Info and Tickets – www.whatapair.org

OK, that's it. I'm off for a pint of Earl Grey. Well I am the tea maker for Little Boo Records!

Love and best to you all,
Julia

December 7. 2005

Hello All –

On Saturday, December 17th at 2.30pm sharp @ Barnes & Noble - 189 The Grove in Los Angeles (3rd & Fairfax, behind the Farmers Market) Claire will be reading a chapter from her fab book “Plus One: A Year In The Life Of A Hollywood Nobody” about the time when Her Royal Holiness Joni Mitchell came to our house.

We will then be doing a rendition of Big Yellow Taxi where Claire is in fact uncannily good at the “oooooooo bop bop bop bit”. If only she could stick to the harmony part on the rest of my repertoire, as then she might actually be of some real use to me on the road, but oooooooooooooooh no, she just always HAS to start singing the melody at the top of her lungs … which is of course no use to man or beast, what with that being my job and all!

Also, I am going to do a set of songs – some old faves, a new song, and a couple of Christmas carols, including a duet of Silent Night with the marvelous Judith Owen. So come on down and get Merry.

In addition to all of this Holiday spirit, Judith and her ridiculously talented husband Harry Shearer, will be having a Holiday Sing-A-Long at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA on Wednesday, Dec 14. I will be joining Judith for Silent Night and I will be singing Have Yourself A Merry Christmas.

For more information - http://wdch.laphil.com/tix/performance_detail.cfm?id=2426

Love and Tinsel-Tinged Kisses,
Julia

May 26, 2005

Dear All,

My baby girl is not the only thing due out any second. My sister Claire has written a hilarious book that's going to be released on June 7th by Kensington Books. It's called PLUS ONE: A Year In The Life Of A Hollywood Nobody, and is all about her adventures here in LA LA land, tagging along with me as my Plus One as I go on tour and to parties in tinsel town. One of the reasons Claire moved to LA to live with me, after her kids grew up and left home, was she thought she stood more of a chance of meeting George Clooney if she lived in the same Country as him. I introduce her to him, and do I get any thanks for it? Nooooooooooooooooooooo! But the book is so funny I have somehow found it in my heart to forgive her for all the jokes about me and my divine four-legged angel that fell from the heavens, Muttley - the incredible magical dog I found dying on a beach in Fiji six years ago. Claire sees him more as a freak of nature - a devilish, third world puppy who cramps the fabulous lifestyle she assumes she should be living in sunny Santa Monica.

Plus One will be available in bookstores here in the USA beginning June 7th or you can order one via Amazon in the US –

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0758209185/clairefordham-20/102-2816964-5205746 and/or Amazon in the UK –

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0758209185/clairefordham-21/202-7961560-8073422.

Check out Claire's website for more info and exclusive family photos, including my precious hound Muttley – www.clairefordham.com. In case you’re wondering … she's publishing under her maiden name as there's already an established author called Claire Cross.

Claire will be signing copies of the book at Barnes & Noble in The Grove (behind the Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax) in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 15th starting at 7.30pm. I am hoping to be there with my little lady baby as she should be out by then!

Thank you all so much for your emails wondering how things are going with the pregnancy. Apart from the fact that I have feet that look like the paws of an elephant, all is swell (literally) and dandy and I am all ready for the due date of May 30th.

Love and Thanks,

Julia, Sister of Claire, soon to be a Hollywood Somebody (that would be Claire, not me obv').

"Without Sisters, Life Would Be A Mistake" - Anonymous


March 3, 2005

Dear All,

Caroline James, a gal I used to go to school with many moons ago on a tiny Island called Hayling
(just off the south coast of England) had a wonderful idea.

She was so overwhelmed by the images of the devastation of the Tsunami that hit Southern Asia,
she felt inspired to contact me about doing a fund raising version of “Happy Ever After”.

Next thing I know I am faxing new lyrics to where her kids go to school in Ashington W.Sussex.

Now, the former African chant is translated into spine tingling Malaysian/Indonesian which the children recorded at a local studio.

Then, original producer/arranger of the track, Grant Mitchell, mixed my voice with theirs and the result is a grab the nearest box of Kleenex, heart warming, show stopping CD single that I am hoping you will all want to buy!

All proceeds will go directly towards rebuilding the Panchayat Elementary Union School in the Tamil Nadu region of Southern India. Their building and village was totally destroyed by the Tsunami and 13 pupils perished.

Also on the CD are 2 bonus tracks that I recorded last year with Indian singing sensation, Bollywood star Aadesh Shrivastava. Aadesh has sold over 20 million records in India and is a phenomenal musical talent. He generously agreed to contribute our 2 songs that were produced by Grammy Award winning producer Hugh Padgham to this project.

For folks in the UK who are interested in supporting our cause, it is available online at:
www.ashington.w-sussex.sch.uk for 4 pounds 99 plus P&P

For those of you in the US, please make your cheque payable to ASHINGTON TSUNAMI APPEAL
for $10 per copy plus $1.50 for post and packaging per CD

Along with any further donation you might want to make.

And send to:

LORI LEVE MANAGEMENT
1366 MILLER DRIVE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90069

For another $5 – I will personally sign them

We have to import the CD's from the UK so please allow about 4 weeks for us to get them out to you.

It would also be incredibly helpful if US residents who are going to contribute could email us back letting us know
how many copies they are going to buy so we can have an idea how many to order from the UK.

This really is a FANTASTIC version of “Happy Ever After”
and I cried like a baby when I first heard the kids singing the new middle section. Both Sister Claire and I leapt to our feet and applauded when we heard what Grant had done with the new outro.

On another note …  thanks so much for the trillions of lovely and supportive emails about the new That’s LIVE DVD and CD, and for all the kind inquiry's about how the baby is coming along. She is hatching very slowly, and although the due date of May 30th is fast approaching, I still have the smallest lady baby bumplett but have FINALLY grown into that bra Mum and Dad got me for my 13th birthday! 

No gigs planned for a while, but I do hope to record a Jazz record next year.

Love and thanks to you all,   
Julia

November 30, 2004

Dear All,
Thanks so much for the tons of emails asking me what has been going on.

We made a DVD that was filmed at the Los Angeles’ House of Blues in the summer. It will be released here in the U.S on January 4th (hopefully it will also be available in the UK, Japan, Philippines and elsewhere sometime later in 2005). 

The BEST news is that DIRECT TV will be broadcasting it throughout the whole month of January on their free channel. It really did turn out great, it looks lovely and sounds fab … and most importantly my hair looks immaculate! India.Arie does a spectacular guest spot on “Concrete Love” and trumpeter/composer Mark Isham does a blinding solo on “Porcelain” and also plays on 4 other songs. It's a stellar line up of musicians playing in the band and Larry Klein is the Musical Director. There is also a live CD that will be released at the same time with all the same songs, except one as there wasn't enough room to fit them all on.

And if you are flying either Jet Blue or Frontier Airlines – they will also be showing the DVD during the month of January.
Also – thank you so very much for the wonderful opinions and memories you sent for the CD package. There were so many and unfortunately not enough room for them all … so we will post them on my website in case you would like to read them.

I will be going to Japan in January to play all the BLUE NOTE clubs there with guitarist extraordinaire, Mr. Mark Goldenberg. 
For those of you in Los Angeles, I will be singing SILENT NIGHT with my buddy Judith Owen, (who also does a star turn on “Happy Ever After” in the DVD) on Dec 15th at Largo. The gig kicks off at 9:15pm and will be in aid of a very noble charity, My Friends Place www.myfriendsplace.org/.
On a more personal and rather exciting note, the DVD is not the only thing coming out next year........... I am going to have a baby that is due to come out on May 30th! My boyfriend and I are so thrilled.

So for all of those of you who have written asking when I will be doing those Jazz Cafe gigs in London the answer is - ALOT LATER THAN I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE! I will keep you posted but I am really not sure when those dates will be now. 

So do have yourselves the most merriest of all Christmas's and the happiest of New Year’s.
Julia

P.S. For those of you who are longing to know what's on THAT'S LIVE (as that is what we are calling the Live DVD and Live CD) – here you are: 

Falling Forward, Lock and Key, Girlfriend, Foolish Thing, Porcelain, Lovin' You, Roadside Angel, Concrete Love, Perfect Me, Wake Up with You, Jump. Sugar, Love, Happy Ever After, Stay, More Than I Can Bear & Manhattan Skyline. There is a bonus track of I'm Sorry But...... and there are 2 bonus videos, Where Does The Time Go and Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. Plus interviews with me and Larry Klein and an audio commentary by me of the whole concert.  The CD has all the songs except Perfect Me and I'm Sorry But…… on it.

The Band: Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums, Larry Klein - Bass, Dean Parks - Guitar, Tim Carmon - Hammond Organ, Kevin McKeever - Keyboards and Piano, Additional Vocals - Amy Keys, plus special guests India.Arie, Mark Isham and Judith Owen

June 8, 2004
Hello There,

Starting this very Tuesday, 8th June 2004, you can, if you fancy it, check out a new song a week (for the next 10 weeks) from my forthcoming record "That's Life."
"Streaming" is the official trendy term for it apparently - so tomorrow (and every following Tuesday if you want to hear a new song) click on to www.juliafordham.com and you can listen to the opening track "Sugar."
If you don't have a fully fat 5 minutes to spare hearing the whole thing, then you can go to the label site www.vanguardrecords.com for a 30 second burst every Monday.
We are in the middle of preparing a tour, a new website, and for the many of you who write and ask if there is ever going to be a LIVE DVD, well ... we are in the middle of putting that together too!

Thank you so much for all of your lovely emails. I'm afraid it's all a bit bonkers busy at the moment so I hope you will understand that I just don't have time to reply.

Happy Streaming,
Julia

P.S. "That's Life" will be in U.S stores August 10 and hopefully around the World sometime later this year or early next.
It will also be available at the usual on line retailers.




March 8, 2004
Dear All,

On Sunday 21st March at 1pm, I am going to be doing a giglett at the fancy pants new Hear Music/Starbucks store on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

(I am currently in a 12 step program for those darn delicious raisin scones that have a vice-like grip around my soul/butt. The 4 o'clock hour is just not what it used to be, a pint of earl grey with a fist full of trail mix and a banana TEAdious! Clearly I have been in California wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too long.)

A 50 minute set of brand new songs and old faves, coffee and cake ... who could possibly resist!

See you there. It's free (the singing bit not the beverage and snack) and I will be playing an acoustic set with musician wunderkind Billy Goodrum.

We are almost done mixing the new album, "That's Life", which is scheduled for release on August 10th (my birthday!).

Tomorrow I fly back to the UK to work with an incredible Indian artist called Aadesh. Producer Hugh Padgham and guitarist from my Porcelain days, Dominic Miller, are also involved. What they have recorded so far sounds absolutely fantastic.

Surrounded by my fellow Brits, I am sure it will be only a matter of time before I have a relapse, and come crashing straight off the wagon into a treacle pudding.

XO,
Julia




November 7, 2003
Dear All,

Thank you so much for all of your lovely, supportive and inquiring emails. Here's an update for all you kind and goodly folks who have been wondering what the hell is going on, when the next record is coming out, when I am going on the road, and what I've been up to.
For those of you who care not a fig, push delete ... now.

On November 17th, I go back into the studio with Mr. Larry Klein, and a bunch of very musically gifted fellows, to cut a bunch of tracks.
This one is going to be more of a live affair.

Joey Waronker on drums, has played on most all of Beck's albums, and is all over the deluxe and delightful last one, Sea Change.

Larry Klein on bass. The man is so ridiculously talented. Somehow he is going to be playing and producing all at the same time.

Jamie Muhobevic, a gorgeous keyboard player, played on Seal's latest release, Seal IV.

Also, the King himself, Billy Preston will be coming in later with his magic organ.

Dean Parks will be playing guitar. He was on the Concrete Love album and has played with so many incredible folks. It's well, incredible.

And Jeff Young, who has been on my records and played live with me, will be singing backgrounds.

Luckily sister Claire will be on hand to provide refreshment throughout the proceedings.

Hopefully, Album 8 (working title obv) will be out in May/June of next year (again on Vanguard) and I will tour at that time.

Other news ...

In the last few months I have done 2 things that I have been meaning to do for the last 20 years:

1. Go back to Italy. Which I did with Sister Claire. We went on a sort of Thelma & Louise adventure. Trains, planes and automobiles.
Blimey, those Italians have got it down. A big bowl of pasta for lunch and then they rustle up some genius work of art before dinner!

2. I made a loaf of bread from scratch with my bare hands. That lovely chirpy chappy chef from England, Jamie Oliver, inspired me to stop dreaming of getting my hands into a blob of dough, but to actually start kneading like a crazy fool. It had nuts and raisins, and even rosemary in it. It was a bit salty but not bad for a first effort.

Also, after 7 years of yoga three times a week, the other day I suddenly came to my senses in the middle of a downward dog and thought, sod this for a game of soldiers, namaste my arse I want to smack the living daylights out of a big black punch bag. So ... I've started kick boxing!

In October, I was invited to perform at a benefit for the Grace Center. Their mission is to empower women to break the cycle of domestic violence, in their lives and in their children's lives, so that they can live in a safe environment and can regain their dignity and self-esteem. David Crosby & Graham Nash, Paula Cole and Judith Owen also played.
www.grace-center.org.

Before I go, for those of you who have been asking what I have been listening to lately - there is a major new talent I think you might just love:
Amy Winehouse - www.amywinehouse.com.
She is quite the tour de force. Only 19, from London, she has a wonderful voice. Very jazzy and alluring. The album, Frank, is a strong hybrid of soul, hip hop and jazz influences. It is a collection of truly fantastic songs. I'm not sure if the album is out in the U.S yet, but it is back home in the U.K. I think she is absolutely brilliant.

Also the new Rufus Wainright CD, Want One, is just glorious. I am addicted to track 3, Vicious World, and have to hear it every day.

Love, light and all good things all round.
Julia




April 15, 2003
Hi Folks,
Tons of you have emailed asking for more info' about the House of Blues gig this Saturday 19th April in LA. YES, glory be, it IS SEATED, YEP, THE WHOLE OF DOWNSTAIRS will have fancy pants tables and chairs.
So ladies, (and frankly lets face it, quite a few of you JF gentleman supporters) feel free to wear your high heel booties!
I for one will be sporting my sensational pointy black ones from Bebe.
Patty Larkin, is a fine singer songwriter on the same record label as me, Vanguard, and she is on first at 7pm - then I will be on at 8.30 pm with a splendid full band of men and women folk, doing the old favorites, as well as, songs from "Concrete Love."
click here

Also, it was just BRILLIANT to be back in London. Thank you so much for packing out the Jazz Cafe and for giving the young all dancing, singing and rapping lads from Leighton College such support on LOVE. Wonderful to be back in Dublin too. And that half a pint of Guniess that I had in the bar afterwards was SPETACULAR, the nectar of the GODS! Dark and creamy deluxe and apparently packed full of iron. Thank heavens it is rumoured to travel badly or I might develop a daily habit.

Love and thanks to you all,
Julia



February 8, 2003
Hi Everyone,
I am just back from my Japanuary Blue Note tour, and boy does it feel good to back home in Sunny California. It was thermal wearing weather in Tokyo. We had a blast though, and I had an excuse to buy tons of splendid matching scarves, hats and gloves from tiny helpful Japanese ladies.

Just wanted to let you know that you are all invited to my Valentines giglett where I will be doing a bunch of love songs and old favorites on SATURDAY 15TH of FEBRUARY at 7pm:
Borders
2110 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815
562.799.0486

Also, my very talented singing songwriting pal Judith Owen releases her super new album 12 Arrows on Feb 13th. There is a duet with me and Jude on it called "That Scares Me." You can check it out on www.judithowen.net.

Chocolate covered valentine kisses to you all,
Julia

P.S. For you UK folks, I am coming to play the Jazz Cafe in Camden London on April 7th and 8th and The Village in Dublin on April 10.



December 17, 2002
Batten down the hatches! El Nino has hit Santa Monica and the rains are belting down as I write. Good job sister Claire and I have created a snug haven in our little cottage by the beach, it's all warm and toasty and Christmasy, ready for the arrival of her kids. I say kids, but I mean huge, proper grown up people aged 23 and 21. Yes, she was a child bride!

Not quite sure how it got to be the end of the year already, but I just wanted to thank all of you who have supported me and Concrete Love throughout 2002. I think the highlights for me have been not only the day that India.Arie sang on the album but also when she showed up in Atlanta and surprised and delighted everyone there with her incredible live rendition of our duet. Another moment would be Chris Botti joining me on stage at The Getty and blowing us all away with his dazzling trumpet solo and presence. It was also completely splendid to make it back home to London and play there again to such a warm and welcoming crowd.

The fab and fun remix of the I Wanna Song (I Wanna Wake Up With You) ended up going all the way to NUMBER 10 in the Billboard Club Play Chart. Talk about an unexpected twist and turn of events!

Next up is Japanuary, I reckon that as I am going to Japan for such a large chunk of January for the Blue Note tour, it should have it's own word! Up next is the Jazz Cafe in London on April 7 & 8 - then back to the U.S for a tour.

Happy Holidays, (as they seem to say here) Merry Christmas, (as we say back there in the mother land).
Love, Julia



October 8, 2002
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that I am coming back home for a London gig ... in case any of you folks in the UK are interested:

I'm afraid all the seated venues were booked until next year, and I really wanted to do something this side of Christmas to support "Concrete Love", which comes out by the way, on Oct 7 in the U.K on Sanctuary Records. (HMV are the main retail outlet )
So, wear your comfy shoes and feel free to sit on the floor - you might even want to pack a cushion! I should be on at 8pm.

The gig will be a Jazz Cafe Promotion. They have just started to use the Subterania as a new venue to accommodate the overflow of artists they want to present, but can't squeeze into the heavy schedule in Camden.

On to Japan ......... I kick off in Nagoya on January 16th and will be doing a bunch of dates at THE BLUE NOTE in Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo:

January 16, 17, 18 - Nagoya
January 20, 21, 22 - Osaka
January 24, 25 - Fukuoka
January 27, 28, 29 - Tokyo
January 31 - Tokyo
February 1, 2 - Tokyo

"Concrete Love" will be released in Japan on October 23 on JVC Records.

There will be 2 one hour gigs a night - 7 and 9:30 - and I will be coming with one musician (not sure who yet!)
It should be a very cool and intimate affair.

Hmmmmmmmmm ... can't wait for that sushi!

This Thursday 10th Oct, I am doing a special guest spot with my pal Judith Owen at the Alterknit Lounge at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA. Jude is a terrific singer songwriter and we have recorded one of her gorgeous new songs for her forthcoming album "12 Arrows". We are going to be singing a duet called "That Scares Me" so come on down.
You can find out more by clicking on www.judithowen.net

Hot News Flash .........The fab and groovy remix of "The I Wanna Song" entered the Billboard Club Play chart at No 43 this week! The 12 inch vinyl, (you know, like they used to have in the olden days) and CD will soon be available at record stores.

Love and best to you all, and thank you again for coming to all the shows this summer and being so supportive of me and the new record.
Julia

P.S - I have decided that I am going to have to stop reading and replying to all of your beautiful email letters. I really do appreciate your incredibly kind and sweet messages. I am just spending wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much time stuck at the computer and just not enough time wafting round the house drinking tea and singing songs. However, you might want to start sending emails to each other which is exactly what happens if you subscribe here: LISTSERV@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM

My love and thanks to you all.
Jx



September 3, 2002
Hi Folks.

How can it be September already? I refuse to accept that summer is over and I am sitting here at my computer defying the fashion rule that white clothing is officially banned in the U.S after Labor Day. I now intend to bring you all up to speed with a few upcoming gig dates and then I will be out there trying to catch a wave on my boogie board - even if I have to don a wet suit!

First up ...
I will be at the Rocks in Santa Barbara this Thursday, Sept 5
Then I am really looking forward to the Jazz on the River Festival on Saturday, Sept 7 in Guerneville (North of San Francisco)
On Saturday, Sept 21 I will be at the Gardens in El Paseo (Palm Springs) for a breast cancer benefit
In October, I am back at the Coach House on Thursday, Oct 3 and then I am doing a private show at the Getty the following night
On Sunday, October 6, I will be performing at 2:00 in the afternoon at Hear Music at the Santa Monica promenade

Also, all of you sweet folks from across the universe that have been emailing me asking when "Concrete Love" will be available in your neck of the woods ... it is due out on Oct 7th in the U.K and Europe on Sanctuary Records, and yes ... I am hoping to make it back home to do a London gig later this year.
On Oct 23rd, it is coming out on JVC in Japan. The release is Sept 10 in the Philippines and Singapore on EMI Records.

One more thing ... if you get the Oxygen channel, Sister Claire and I will be featured on the hugely talented Tracey Ullman's show, "Visible Panty Line," about Women of Style and Substance on Thursday, Sept 5

Thanks for packing the clubs on the tour and for all your lovely emails about the gigs and "Concrete Love." I am trying to answer them all, 10 a day, but there have been literally 100's and 100's over the summer - so thank you for your kindness and patience.

And for updates, please click on www.juliafordham.com or www.vanguardrecords.com

Love, Light, Peace, Tea and Cake to you all,
Julia



July 20, 2002
I am sitting in the back room of Boston Borders and this is the first second there has been to catch up on all hectic and colorful events of the past few weeks.
Trust our luck to be in Texas for the 3 gigs during the torrential rains. There was a massive throbing cloud over the whole state on the weather channel so I knew we were in for a major downpour. We should have hired a boat, not a car, but it was all worth it in the end as the reception in Austin, Dallas and Houston were sweet, warm and big hearted.
Next we found ourselves in the Tampa Bay area for the Gay Pride Festival.
I had a most excellent encounter with a drag queen, 3 porn stars and a transexual - all of whom I shared a fancy limo with to the pre-show party. They all insisted on coming back to my tiny little bedroom afterwards to check out my boyfriend Robin, the soundguy.
Poor lambchop was happily sitting twiddling away on his computer, and suddenly me and my bizarre entourage burst through the door.
I do have photographic evidence for your pleasure and delight - so when we get home we will post our spectacular group shot all squashed together on my bed.
If that wasn't enough fun for one gal to handle, at the next stop - Atlanta - the sublime divine India.Arie actually leapt up on stage and absolutely knocked the crowd out with a live rendition of "Concrete Love" OH MY GOODNESS, I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS JUST THINKING ABOUT
I only managed to get hold of her about an hour before the show - she raced over to Smith's Olde Bar - magnificent in her head to toe beautiful pink outfit. Wow! What a memorable moment. Then I had the unexpected thrill of hearing 4 og India's excellent new songs (which are every bit as superb and seductive as the sultry tracks on "Acoustic Soul."
She really is a heaven-sent talent and I feel like she is this gifted fairy that has wafted into my life and sprinkled musical magic dust everywhere.
One of my all time favorite venues, the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA was next.
The last time I played Joe's Pub I remembered how a certain stlish Filipino lady called Joy joined me for an all dancing, singing and jangling rendition of "Manhattan Skyline."
When my pal singer/songwriter Judith Owen missed her special guest slot on "Happy Ever After," as she got held up on the frantic Manhattan traffic, Joy jumped into her place and made a soulful and noble effort on the high "umbay yeahs" - she charmed everyone with her sweet fun filled personality and aplomb. Wonderful stuff.
Philly might just be my most fave show yet. We played at the local Borders in the afternoon and this cool guy called Robert Stone came up to me and said he was a big fan of the Porcelain album and that he was a saxophone teacher and played in a band. So that night I invited him up on stage and he did a knockout, unrehearsed guest spot on "Genius" and blew everone's socks clean off with his stylish contribution to the song. He was such a hit, I got him back up again for "Manhattan Skyline," along with 4 fantastic lassies who had sung along to every song and snapped their fingers in time throughout (I dubbed them "The Philly Clickers")
A total blast - I loved it.
What a groovy little town Northampton is - loved that place and the venue The Iron Horse. We had another spontaneous audience member called, Evy, I think, who sang her sweet heart out on "Manhattan Skyline."
I first came to Boston 20 years ago when I was the back up singer in the zany Brit pop band Mari Wilsin and the Wilsations.
I used to wear fancy 40's frocks and had this fun little peroxide white pixie punk hairdo! We played local hot spot The Paradise Club and met this great bunch of gals called Lizzie Bordon and the Axes (who were on before us)
Here I am 2 decades later and my ol' pal Lizzie made a triumphant effort at helping our busy butts out.
My incredible guitarist, Mark Goldenberg, all around chap that he is (and I say all this even though he gave me that bloody heinous cold) left to join his prior comittment - Jackson Browne.
It's a huge club that was absolutely packed full of all the fine and fabulous local folks. We had a really special moment when a local lass, and Banana Demon, Angela Sullivan, joined us for "Manhattan Skyline."
Previously, her husband had sent such a lovely email saying she was truly a great singer and musician and her dream was to join me on backing vocals on a song. He was right, she was terrific! First rate. Great tone and timing - a total pro. She got a warm deserved standing ovation and the troops of Washington went bonkers for her. Just FABULOUS!
The whole band joined us for the Birchmere and NY events. Bit of a bummer though, I'm afraid, we had come into soooo many coughing, sneezing, plague infested folks, that during the longgg drive from DC to NY, I started to feel quite wretched - my nose was running and my talking voice - ummmm - DISAPPEARED!
Somehow my hardworking indespensable manager, Lori Leve, tracked down the highly respected and renowned throat expert, Dr. Gwen Corovin. We raced over for an emergency appointment. I had read all the press about how Dr. had restored Celine Dion's voice to glory after she had lost her chops from too much work.
However, having clasped hold on to my tongue and dragged it down to me knees and somehow sliding this massive mirror PAST MY THROAT DOWN TO THE ACTUAL VOCAL CHORDS ... (GAG CITY BELIEVE ME), she concluded, as we suspected, that I had inflammation due to the lurgie! So a bunch of tonics and a cortisone shot later, we sped like crazy in a big yellow taxi downtown to Joe's Pub - arriving only 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime! Let's just say the drugs worked and on we soldiered.
Check out my sweetie pie supportive journalist friend Roger Friedman's version of events here.
My new chap, Italian musician Simone Sello, is doing great though and really shone at his first show last night at the beyond packed Club Passim in Cambridge.
Its been heartwarming to meet so many kindly and supportive folks who wait patiently each night afterwards.
Detroit here we come!




June 30, 2002
Hi Everyone
Here I sit at San Jose airport looking back on the first week of the tour.
I had forgotten how bonkers busy it can be out here on the road and have to keep playing back the home video of my little house and dog Muttley over and over again. Sister Claire sent me off with approx. 4 thousand earl grey tea bags, 2 cases and 1 guitar, and so far so good!
Wonderful to see Seattle in the glorious sunshine. Such a good looking town, everytime I visit though it's usually hissing down with rain and blowing a hooley (Brit term for irritating gusts of wind). The I Spy Club was PACKED as was the next night in Portland where we played a gorgeous old theatre, the Aladdin. Most of the gigs are with me and my super extraordinaire guitarist Mark Goldenberg.
The whole band joined us for the 2 San Fran shows, and they will also be flying out for the Birchmere and NY gigs. We had a blast at the gay pride festivities here in SF and I did an impromptu rendition of "Something Right" at this huge really cool commitment ceremony of about 200 couples.
Mark has just announced that he has a cold so I am avoiding him like the plague, paranoid that his germs will mess with my voice. AHHHHH!
Austin here we come ...



June 20, 2002
Well what a wonderful kick off to the release of Concrete Love.

June 18th has been officially dubbed Summer Xmas Day by sister Claire and I.

First thing there was the radio performance on my personal favorite radio show, Nic Harcourt's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" at KCRW, the local NPR station here in LA. Infact, you can check out the whole thing as it is archived on their website at
http://www.kcrw.org/show/mb - I sang 6 songs from the new record.

That night there was a terrific party and gig at the Knitting Factory, and I was just thrilled at the reaction from all the troops who came along both nights. Love, love, love my new live band. They will also be joining me for the San Fransisco's "Bimbo's" gig and for "The Birchmere" and both nights at Joe's Pub in NY.

I really must get around to packing as I hit the road for 5 weeks on Monday!
Hope to see you out there on the road somewhere.
Julia x



June 5, 2002
Hi Everyone,

Now where do I start on the first ever diary entry.......

Well as I type, my very cute dog Muttley is stretched out like the Fijian Prince he is on the couch.

Yep, found that dog dying on a beach in Fiji and flew him all the way back to Sunny California. He went from a 4lb flea infested bag of bones into what can only be described as A GIANT JACK RUSSELL, crossed with the RCA gramophone pooch with a twist of a third world hound. Now when I say giant, we are talking the size of a small lab, and mercifully with that kind of sweet personality.

What else can I tell you.......I am busy with the preparations for the tour, I have had to start doing my daily scales, as the schedule is fairly formidable and I am worried my voice won't hold up. So it's going to be no talking during the days when I hit the road.

I know many of you will be there and I'm looking forward to seeing you all.

I am literally counting the seconds to June 18th! Later,

Julia