Mo Jays is the new collaboration between Jesse Morris, frontman and guitarist of roots reggae outfit Jesse Morris and the Shakedown, and Miss Jodie, upright bass player and blues funk songstress of The Hoochers, Bassix and Blue Skillet Rovers. Together they blend roots, reggae, blues, soul and groove, performing as a duo or as a full band with guests from some of Australia’s most prominent blues and roots acts.

Roots, reggae, blues and soul from two seasoned bandleaders, Jesse Morris and Miss Jodie, in duo or full band format.

Mo Jays brings together two of the hardest-working bandleaders on the Australian roots circuit. Jesse Morris has spent more than 15 years on the road as the frontman and guitarist of Jesse Morris and the Shakedown, with five studio albums and four EPs of roots reggae behind him. Miss Jodie is an upright bass player and blues funk songstress with The Hoochers, Bassix and Blue Skillet Rovers, and more than 20 years of relentless touring to her name, including stages at Woodford Folk Festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest and Tamworth Country Music Festival. Mo Jays is where those two worlds meet.

The sound sits where reggae and the blues overlap. Jesse’s rhythm guitar and songwriting lock in with Miss Jodie’s upright bass, and two lead voices carry a set that moves through roots, reggae, blues, soul and groove. It is music built for a dance floor but with enough space and feel to hold a listening room.

Mo Jays performs in two formats. The duo is stripped back and suited to intimate venues, wine bars and early festival slots. The full band scales up for main stages, with a rotating line-up of guests from some of Australia’s most prominent blues and roots acts. With many years of touring between them, Jesse and Miss Jodie know how to work a room of any size. Mo Jays is now taking bookings for festivals, venues and tours.