Jori Costello is a singer-songwriter, multi instrumentalist, performer, playwright, visual artist, and teacher. In her fifth decade of performing, Jori has been in several bands, choirs, been a solo performer, a dance DJ, radio host, festival emcee, and has been delving into her lifelong love of acting.

As a teacher, Jori offers private music lessons in multiple instruments, directs ukulele groups and small musical ensembles, and is a coach for summer music programs and festivals. 

In Fayetteville, Jori is well known for her involvement with OMNI Open Mic for Peace, leading songs at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, performing and nationally touring with the band Big Bad Gina, and for her active contribution to women’s community at large and other local groups and events. On the radio, you can hear Jori’s women’s music radio show, Go Sistah Go as DJ Sistah JoJo! Tune in Fridays at 3pm CST on your community radio, KPSQ 97.3FM or online at KPSQ.org.

In the area of theatre, Jori’s one woman play, Songs of My Soul, is a musical tribute honoring the beginning of the women’s music movement. It has been featured at 7 women’s music festivals and venues. In Northwest AR theatres, collaborating with actor/director Jules Taylor, Jori has added soundscape, original music, music direction, and live performance.

Among her accomplishments, she’s received winning recognition in the Ozark Music Awards “Folk Artist of the Year” for 2002 and “Best Solo Female Singer/Songwriter” for the 2005 Northwest Arkansas Music Awards (NAMA). Jori’s first CD, “Home Grown” was nominated “Best CD” in the Ozark region. She has been featured on many compilations including her song, “War Games” on the OMNI Peace Center’s Peace CD, her song, “Past the Pain” for the Arkansas Children’s Shelter, and in 2016, her song, “Are You There?” was included on the Green Burial CD, Livin’ and Dying. Big Bad Gina, awarded Best New Band in 2012, currently has 3 CDs featuring original songs by each band member as well as arrangements of iconic women’s music.