Celebrated singer/songwriter Joanna Eden to release new album – ‘The Road to Paysandu’

Described by Claire Martin as the “jewel in the crown of the UK jazz scene”, hailed by Dame Cleo Laine as “bloody marvellous”, and praised by Jamie Cullum as “brilliant”, Joanna Eden’s influence reaches far and wide. Global superstar Sam Smith credits Eden as “the reason I sing… she inspired me to start writing”, recently calling their duet at the BBC Proms “a career high”.
This May, 2nd, Joanna Eden releases her seventh album of original songs, The Road to Paysandu. She will be performing in concert on 4th May at Pizza Express, Soho – Joanna Eden | Pizza Express Live

Unmistakably English – in the same way as Christine McVie, Steve Winwood, or Nick Drake – singer- songwriter Joanna Eden grew up in the heart of England, immersed in the sounds of UK artists blending American blues, jazz, and pop influences.
With six solo albums to her name, Joanna is widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest singer-pianists. Her distinctive style spans jazz, soul, bossa nova, and blues, while her beautifully crafted songs combine melody, mystery, and bite – qualities praised by Mojo Magazine. Like her songwriting hero Joni Mitchell, Joanna’s personal and expressive lyrics reflect on life’s changes with honesty and warmth.

A natural storyteller on stage, Joanna has built a devoted following over 20 years of live performances at iconic venues including Ronnie Scott’s, The Stables, and The Apex. Her world-class band has supported legendary artists such as Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum, Roy Hargrove, and The Buena Vista Social Club – testament to the calibre of her live work.

Why Uruguay?
The answer is less mysterious than it seems. Joanna’s new husband and long-time musical collaborator, bassist and songwriter Andrés Lafone, is Uruguayan. Their first trip to the country – nestled between South American giants Brazil and Argentina – sparked a creative journey, with the couple writing songs inspired by a place that, like Joanna herself, is enigmatic, often overlooked, yet quietly remarkable.
Just as Uruguay is celebrated as South America’s greenest and most stable nation, Joanna Eden has built a career producing heartfelt, life-affirming songs rooted in jazz, Latin rhythms, and storytelling. Her loyal following continues to grow, drawn to the warmth, honesty, and exquisite musicianship that define her music.

Eden’s partner, co-writer, producer and bass player Andrés Lafone has been less shy about their music. He approached long-time collaborator and mentor Grammy winning Uruguayan keyboard player Hugo Fattoruso to play on the album – who not only obliged (he described Joanna during rehearsals as “la mejor musica de todos nosotros” ) but insisted they record in one of South America’s oldest and most lauded recording studios, Montevideo’s Sondor Studio where, since 1938 the music of South American’s finest artists from Zitarrosa to Ruben Rada has been absorbed by the acoustic bricks in the vast recording space.

The single The Kindness of a Friend is probably the catchiest of songs with its easy groove and ear-worm sing-along chorus reminiscent of a Stevie Wonder classic. We’ve all had a friend who humbles us with their generosity and this is a song about one of those people.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky. My friends have all leapt up to help me do my music! My artist friend Evi Antonio did my single artwork and takes my photos, my husband is my music rock and the best bass player I’ve ever played with, my family are all behind me, my artist son has created 4 of my album covers and Sam Smith has rocked my world in so many ways whilst remaining the sweetest kindest friend!”

Following her Montevideo launch in March, Eden will launch The Road to Paysandu in the UK with her band at Pizza Express Jazz Club (with her ‘on theme’ band featuring Uruguayan guitarist Guillermo Hill and drummer George Double) on 4th May and a long tour ensues taking them to Milton Keynes, Lincoln, Brecon, Fishguard, Oxfordshire, Suffolk and back to her home in the little market town of Saffron Walden near Cambridge.

Now, with The Road to Paysandu, the world is finally ready to discover what Joanna Eden’s devoted fans have known all along – that she is one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters, crafting timeless music with heart, soul, and quiet brilliance.