Sarah Jory

About Sarah Jory

Sarah Jory (born Sarah Elizabeth Jory, 20 November 1969 in Reading, Berkshire, England) is an English musician and vocalist. A multi-instrumentalist of extraordinary range, Sarah plays electric guitar, power slide guitar, acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, and vocals. In 2015, she was voted the World's Number One Female Pedal Steel Guitarist — an achievement she holds to this day.

Early Life

Sarah began learning musical instruments at the age of five, when she obtained her first steel guitar. In 1978, she was featured on BBC Radio 2's Live from Golders, backed by the group Poacher. At nine, she joined the band Colorado Country after her father, Arthur Jory, secured her an audition. Jory played with the band for four years, during which time they renamed themselves Sarah and the Colorado Country.

Her first album, Sarah's Steel Line, recorded with the band Poacher, was released by Crow Records in 1980 when she was just eleven years old. At thirteen, she first visited the United States, playing at the Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis alongside the legendary Buddy Emmons.

Career Highlights

From 1984 to 1992, Jory played thirteen steel guitar conventions in the US, appearing with Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, and Paul Franklin. She has worked with Ricky Skaggs, Porter Wagoner, Kenny Rogers, Charley Pride, The Bellamy Brothers, and Gene Watson.

In 1985, the British Country Music Association voted Jory "The Most Promising New Act," followed by being voted "Female Vocalist of the Year" for nine consecutive years. She was also voted "European Country Rock Entertainer of the Year" and "British Female Vocalist of the Year" in 1995, 1996, and 1997.

In 1988, Jory formed her own professional band, opening for Eric Clapton in Dublin and touring with Glen Campbell. She played with the Van Morrison Band from 2006 to 2012, performing on his albums Keep It Simple and Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

Since 2013, Sarah has been Musical Director for Phil Mack Promotions and Keep It Country TV. She has performed with Cyndi Lauper, Imelda May, Duane Eddy, Albert Lee, Ray Scott, Dale Watson, and Darryl Worley, among many others. In March 2017, she played at the Texas Steel Guitar Convention, and in April 2017, headlined the famous Basel Blues Festival in Switzerland.

Sarah has won in excess of 500 awards throughout her career, has been inducted into the British Country Music Awards (BCMA) Hall of Fame, and is an active Ambassador for the international campaign Women In Music. She is also a prolific session musician, having played on over 300 recording projects, including work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra.

Endorsements

Sarah is fully endorsed by Mullen Pedal Steel Guitars, D'Addario Strings, San Lorenzo Slide Guitars (France), Telonic Amps, Jackson Steel Guitars, Peterson Strobe Tuners, Sarno Musical Solutions, and Peavey Amps & Guitars.