Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Jude Johnstone began writing songs at age 8.  At 18, she was "discovered" by E-Street Band saxophonist, Clarence Clemons.  After spending some time in New York and New Jersey under his wing, in 1979, she moved to Los Angeles, where her songs quickly became sought after by other artists. She has been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Stephen Bishop, Jennifer Warnes, Trisha Yearwood,  and more,  including a #1 song for Yearwood's debut album called "The Woman Before Me" which earned her a BMI award, as well as several other Yearwood cuts, incuding the title cut to Yearwood's sophomore cd, "Hearts in Armor". She also penned the title track to Johnny Cash's 1992 Grammy winning album "Unchained."  

 

Johnstone's songs have also been featured on Lifetime/ABC's hit television series "Army Wives", Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" and Fox TV's "Lie To Me." Her song "In This House" (featured on "Army Wives") won a 2008 Independent Music Award (IMA) for best song in a dramatic series.

 

In 2002  Johnstone released her own debut CD "Coming of Age" on BoJak Records. The album received critical acclaim leading to an interview on NPR's Morning Edition and reached #6 on Amazon's Best Seller's List. It also featured guest vocals by Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Yearwood, and others.  Her sophomore cd "On A Good Day" generated more favorable press which led to a performance on CBS's "The Early Show."  It, too, featured memorable guest vocals from Browne and Raitt as well as Rodney Crowell & Julie Miller.  Her third and fourth cds

  "Blue Light" and "Mr. Sun" were both jazz/blues projects recorded LIVE in the studio with some of LA's top session musicians.  With  "Quiet Girl", she returned to the Americana flavor of her earlier work.  The album featured vocal collaborations with Emmylou Harris, Jimmy LaFave and J.D. Souther, and showcased her late mentor, Clarence Clemons, on sax. 

 Jude received a 2013  International Acoustic Music Award (IAMA) for first prize in the Americana category for her song "Quiet Girl, sung with Emmylou Harris." Jude's 6th album "Shatter" combined elements of Gospel, Jazz, Celtic, R&B and even Big Band influences. Below are some reviews.

 

"If Jude Johnstone is not yet a musical household name, she sure as hell should be."
Henry Carrigan, No Depression

 

..."She’s patently a master at capturing the heart’s dark and desperate moments, just as she’s capable of  encouraging belief in its resurrection."
 Mike Davies, Roots and Branches/The Beat

 

"For those who once zoned in to the mean streets Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones and other young bohemians walked, these lucky 11 songs will offer a ray of light which promises to never go out."
Bill Bentley/The Morton Report

 

"Johnstone is a songwriters' songwriter."
JAM Magazine, Italy

 

"A lesson in melodic grace delivered by as fine a singer-songwriter as any I know” ~ Rodney Crowell

 

"Her fertility in regards to songwriting is awe inspiring." ~ Bonnie Raitt

 

Jude is currently working on her next cd project called  "A Woman's Work.".