Arresting Jazz-Pop: Joan as Police Woman

JOAN WASSER is the Kevin Bacon of the music world. In some 15 years, she has played and collaborated with so many people that she can conceivably be connected with any other musician in six quick steps.

Following the dissolution of her first band, Boston alt-rock quartet the Dambuilders, in the mid 1990s, Wasser became a gun for hire, playing in various groups (Those Bastard Souls, Antony & the Johnsons) and touring or recording with many more (Rufus Wainwright, Sheryl Crow, Dave Gahan).

"Collaborating," she says, "is one of the great pleasures of being a musician. As a writer, you work alone. As a painter, I think you rarely collaborate. But music is something that can be shared."

Wasser, however, has been sharing much less in recent years, thanks to the success of her own band, Joan as Police Woman. She began performing solo shows in 2000, although finding a name to fit her music took some time. "I was wearing some sort of '70s pantsuit and had my hair dyed blond for a show, and my friend told me I was channeling Angie from 'Police Woman.' So from that day forward I was Joan as Police Woman."

In this incarnation, Wasser has released two albums of intricately arranged, often emotionally devastating jazz-tinged pop songs. Her latest, "To Survive," draws from the range of artists she has supported in the past, as well as her own musical history.

"Growing up, I listened to a lot of punk rock," the well-connected musician says. "I still feel the same amount of anger, but I've thankfully learned to channel it into a much more positive outlet. There's so much ugly in the world that I feel like if you make something as beautiful as possible, then you'll really be able to make a positive influence in other people's lives."

» Iota, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; Sun., 8:30 p.m., $12; 703-522-8340. (Clarendon)

Written by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner
Photo courtesy TellAllYourFriendsPR