Singer/songwriter Jackie Bristow is a southern girl at heart. Born and raised in the South Island of New Zealand, this Kiwi has found her wings. Moving to Australia in 1994, she established herself as a professional musician and recording artist, signing to Mushroom and Liberation Music in 1999, Craving Records in 2005 and Native Tongue in 2007.
Beautiful songbird that she is, Jackie has flown halfway around the world with nothing more than her guitar and a dream. She has captivated audiences with her live performances in the USA, Australia and New Zealand, and has opened for the likes of Madeleine Peyroux, Phoebe Snow, Shawn Mullins, Jimmy Webb, Art Garfunkel, Renee Geyer, Mark Seymour, Daniel Lanois, James Reyne,and Wendy Matthews. She opens for Euge Groove, Ruthie Foster and Howard Jones in November 2012.
Jackie's songs have been used repeatedly in Australian and New Zealand film and television hit shows, such as "The Secret Life of Us," "Home and Away," "Outrageous Fortune," "Shortland Street," and "Go Big." Her original song "This is Australia" won Tourism Australia's Song Competition, which subsequently featured in a worldwide promotional campaign for three years. Her videos have been added to ME Television (Texas) and J2 (NZ ), and she has had charting songs on CMC (Australia). Music from her third album, "Freedom," currently is programmed into rotation at 7,000 Starbucks locations nationwide in the US.
In 2010, Jackie returned to the USA for the national release of "Freedom." She had a prestigious US tour in 2011, opening for internationally-acclaimed guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel in February. She's had many great shows in the US since then, opening for Marc Cohn, John Waite, Bob Schneider, Jimmy Lafave, John Oates, Bettye Lavette, Charlie Robison, B.J. Thomas, Joe Ely, and Marcia Ball.
At one, heartfelt and sophisticated, Jackie Bristow combines subtle but beautiful melodies and hooks that hypnotize the listener, demand complete surrender and then stick around with the backbone of a real friend.
Live review, Desert Highway Magazine:
…. "It didn't take long, sitting there in Hollywood's Hotel Cafe. to realize that Jackie Bristow was special. She brings to the stage a soulful voice, acoustic guitar with pop accessibilities and folk sensibilities. She offers rooted music that is fresh and modern and uniquely her own."
About the "Freedom" (2010) album:
Recorded between Austin and Sydney, co-produced by Jackie Bristow and Mark Punch. Musicians include: J.J. Johnson (John Mayer), Mark Punch (Kasey Chambers), Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson), Matt Fell (Josh Pyke), Jeff Young (Steely Dan), Clayton Doley, and Rob Woolf (Jimmy Barnes).
Some recent press quotes:
"Freedom is a brilliant work of art, from a brilliant singer. However, more than just a singer, Bristow is a story-teller and she has many tales to tell." -- Muzic.net.nz
"This album confirms a major talent." – Graham Reid from Elsewhere.co.nz
"Bristow is a true original, well worth your attention." Chet Flippo, Country Music Television (CMT)
"Bristow returns, and she's totally in control. 'Freedom' is red hot. *****" Waikato Times, New Zealand
Quotes for the "Crazy" Love album:
"Jackie Bristow's 'Crazy Love' is a hypnotizing collection… Bristow is a true original, well worth your attention." – Chet Flippo, Country Music Television (CMT)
"This woman makes you feel as if she's talking to you the whole way throughout the album; storming heaven's gates, taking no prisoners as she goes. There are love songs throughout which will leave you breathless. 'Crazy Love' is superb musicianship, good hooks that flow naturally rather than being contrived, and awesome melodies." – John Shelton Ivany's Top 21
"… a seriously credible songwriter with the sound of a poet. Plenty of signature elegant subtleties in her music, and the album's sound is immediate and engaging. You'll find beauty right here in 'Crazy Love.'" – Chris Chilton, Southland Times, New Zealand
"Bristow's voice is sophisticated and soulful. Lovers of finely-crafted tunes combined with perfectly delivered vocals should definitely listen up." – The Press, New Zealand
