Jo specialises in performing French accordion music and is drawn to the bal musette era of the 1930’s and ‘40’s – music by artists such as Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Juliette Greco, Django Reinhardt and Gus Viseur. From the traditional waltz through to tango; gypsy swing and chanson (popular French song) – this is music to inspire dancing & reminiscing!
Jo also incorporates into her accordion repertoire instrumental music from Italy, Hungary, Russia, and Argentina.
Jo has played and performed for many different and varied events in and around Melbourne; performed at events and gigs in Europe and entertained crowds at many venues and festivals including Wangaratta Jazz Festival; Stonnington Jazz Festival; Melbourne Bastille Day French Festival; OzManouche Festival (Brisbane) and Melbourne Recital Centre.
“Please thank Jo very much for performing at the [……………] Dinner.
Her performance was a real highlight of the night!” (client)
“French themed party host”
With bands and as a roving accordionist, Jo has entertained at corporate functions and events such as French wine tastings and gourmet dinners, weddings, French restaurants and functions including Gabriel Gate’s ‘French Christmas in July’; ‘200 yrs. of the bike (Bicycle Network); Sofitel Hotel’s ‘Fete de la Musique’; ‘Spring Racing Carnival’; ‘Tour de France’ functions and for many Bastille Day events.
Sample Songlist
Jo Abbott French vocals and instrumentals
Playtime/Supermarket (french
waltz)
• C’est si bon – Yves Montand
(chanson)
• Sous le ciel de Paris – (chanson)
• I love Paris – (vocal) Cole Porter
• La vie en rose – (vocal) Edith
Piaf, Louiguy & Monnot
• ‘Amelie’ theme – Yann Tiersen
• Mado – Emile Vache (Gypsy
waltz)
• Plus je t’embrasse (vocal) –
Blossom Dearie
• Autumn Leaves (classic French
song)
• Chez Jacquet – Django
Reinhardt (Gypsy waltz)
• HCQ Strut (Gypsy jazz)
• Sous les ponts de Paris(vocal)
• C’est si bon (vocal)
• Le charmeur du serpent
• Chanson d’amour (vocal)
• La Seine
• I can’t give you anything but
love (gypsy jazz)
• Toute le jour, toute la nuit
(vocal)
• En Septembre dans la pluit –
vocal
• Si tu savais (instrumental)
• Mysterieuse (gypsy valse)
• I will wait for you
• Que rest-i-til de nos amours
(vocal)
• Mon amant de St Jean (vocal)
• Ou es tu, mon amour? (vocal)
• J’ai deux amours (vocal) Josephine
Baker
(chanson)
• Indifference -Tony
Murena/Joseph Colombo (Gypsy
waltz)
• Valse des niglos – Gusti Mahla
(Gypsy waltz)
• J’attendrai (vocal) – (classic
French song)
• Minor swing – Django
Reinhardt/Stephane Grappelli
(Gypsy Jazz)
• Nuages (Gypsy Jazz)
• Il neige (vocal) – Jacques Brel
• Complainte de la butte
• Smoke rings (vocal)
• Bluesette (vocal)
• Bossa Dorado (gypsy swing)
• Café au lait (gypsy swing)
• Avalon
• Douce ambiance
• Limehouse blues
• Japanese sandman
• Rhythm Gitane
• Crazy Rhythm
• Dinah
• Swing 39
• Swing 42
• Poor people of Paris
• Minor swing (gypsy swing)
• Manoir des mes reves (gypsy
swing ballade)
• Cou Cou (vocal)
• Padam Padam
• Milord
• Non, je ne regrette rien
• La foule (valse)
• Brise Napolitaine (valse)
• Minor Blues (Gypsy swing)
• Passion (gypsy valse)
• Stompin’ at Decca (gypsy swing)
• Micro mike (gypsy swing)
• Nature Boy (vocal)
• Russian Lullaby (vocal -gypsy
swing)
• Je suis seule ce soir (vocal)
• Je ne repartirai pas (vocal)
• Chez Jacquet (valse)
• Petite fleur (tango)
• La Javanaise
• a Paris
• + more!
• Menilmontant (vocal)
• La mer (inst.)
• C’est magnifique