J2oh
J2oh are a hybrid-jazz duo based in the north, with Jenny Walinetski on drums and Jemma Freese on keys and vocals. Their energetic and emotionally epic sound comes from a hybrid of hiphop/trap/dnb/electronic and contemporary jazz, using cross signatures, melodic phrasing, rhymical hooks, complex harmony and vocal soundbites to create their sound.
Each composition is rooted in improvisation, which is part of their creative process and is also how the two met. Influences include; Floating Points, Gretchen Parlato, Yussef Kamaal, Portico Quartet, Slowly Rolling Camera and Richard Spaven. Jenny and Jemma met at Key of She (an improvisation night in Sheffield) a year ago and have been playing together since then.
Jemma studied Pop Composition and Jazz Vocals at Leeds Conservatoire (where she graduated with a First and received The Directors Prize), is a member of J Frisco and plays for Maximo Park. She has been on several jazz schemes (Jazz North Introduces, Jazz North northernline, Music:Leeds Launchpad, Manchester Jazz Festival Hothouse Scheme, Serious Take Five Scheme, Arts Council DYCP), performed at many jazz festivals and venues (EFG London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Vortex jazz club), has had radio play on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Radio 3, and been reviewed by Jazzwise, LondonJazz and Jazz In Europe.
Jenny studied Orchestral Percussion at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, and she predominantly works as a drummer in the UK Jazz scene. She has toured with Moonlight Serenade Orchestra (one of the UK’s leading Glen Miller big bands) and is the drummer in the house band for Matt and Phreds. Jenny has played for artists such as IORA, Holly Redford Jones and a special BBC Philharmonic/Halle orchestra session with Little Mix. Performance highlights include Kendal Calling, Manchester International Festival and Tramlines.