Core. Presents: Jo Quail

Jo Quail is a renowned composer and virtuoso cellist from London. Widely known for her innovative use of looping techniques Jo’s live performances delight and inspire audiences across the world. Whether performed solo, with bands, choirs or orchestras her unique compositions combine organic fluidity with intricate sonic architecture.  Majestic and sensual, Jo’s music is a masterful blend of contrasting elements, seamlessly weaving together crushing heaviness and filigree intimacy, inviting listeners to embark on a transformative sonic journey that is both personal and universal.

With a background in contemporary, classical, metal and avant-garde Jo’s music appeals to a truly broad audience, evidenced in her ground breaking concerts at esteemed venues and festivals worldwide, including Hellfest (FR), the Melbourne Recital Centre (AUS) and the Royal Festival Hall (UK). As an invited artist Jo has collaborated with acts as diverse as Caspian, Damo Suzuki, Enslaved, Emma Ruth Rundle, FM Einheit, God Is An Astronaut, MONO, My Dying Bride, Myrkur, and Poppy Ackroyd, as well as touring with many of these artists and others including Amenra, Boris, Heilung and Wardruna.

As a commissioned composer Jo’s works include The Cartographer (By Norse), a composition commissioned by Roadburn Festival with a brief to ‘redefine heaviness’. This ambitious symphony, scored for electric cello, electric violin, piano, male vocal, female vocal, 8 trombones and multiple percussions, was recorded with generous support from the PRS Women Make Music fund. The premiere performance of The Cartographer took place in Tilburg at Poppodium 013 in April 2022, with a live performance video released in March 2023.

Other commissions include ‘This Path With Grace’ and ‘The Breathing Hand’ for the choir and orchestra Cappella Gedanensis, Gdansk, Poland, ‘The Pilbara’ for Australian film collective ND5, ‘Where the Moon Meets the Sea’ for ABC documentary series ‘Shark Bay’ Australia, and various film scores, among others. 

In September 2024 Jo will perform her most recent commissioned work, Macha, scored for two symphonic brass orchestras, 10 percussionists, choir, and soloist Maria Franz alongside Jo at the Ahoy Rotterdam. This orchestration of Macha is commissioned by the Dutch Nationale Taptoe.

Jo is grateful for the support of Roland BOSS, specifically her RC600 and GT1000 pedals, Cosmic Ears for In Ear Monitoring and D’Addario Orchestral for her Kaplan cello strings.