Jori Costello is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, performer, playwright, visual artist, and teacher based out of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, AR. In her fifth decade of performing, Jori has been in several bands, choirs, been a solo performer, festival emcee, stage manager, dance DJ, and now in its 3rd year, the radio host for the women’s music show, Go Sistah Go.
She is well known for her part in the nationally touring band, Big Bad Gina, with Renée Janski and Melodie Griffis, and in the art-rock duo, Jorian Oxygen which grew out of The Jori Costello Band. Her one-woman musical tribute, Songs of My Soul, has been featured at 7 regional festivals and venues. Collaborating with actor/director Jules Taylor, Jori has added soundscape, original music, music direction, and live performance for several Northwest Arkansas theatres. Jori teaches private lessons in multiple instruments, serves as a session staffer at Girls Rock Camp Madison, and is the creator of a summer camp music program.
Since becoming fascinated with the ukulele, Jori has written about 3 dozen songs on this tiny, portable instrument. Sharing the love of ukulele has become a favorite activity at home as well as at various festivals. 2023 marks the 5th annual NWMF Ukulele Chorus directed by Jori and the 3rd year at Women Play Instruments – WPI – Festival on The Land. This year’s theme is Reason to Celebrate and will feature songs by Therese Edell, Deidre McCalla, and an original by Jori herself.
Listen to Jori’s radio show, Go Sistah Go, every Friday at 3pm CST www.KPSQ.org