Jesse Ware

Jesse Ware, better known as Jessie Ware, is an English singer-songwriter and podcaster. She is active in pop, soul and electronic music, and is known for combining solo recording with collaborations, as well as for her podcast work with her mother.

Early life and education

Ware is born in London, at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in Hammersmith, and is raised in Clapham. She is the daughter of Helena, a social worker, and John Ware, a BBC Panorama reporter. Her parents divorce when she is 10. She is the younger sister of actor Hannah Ware. Her mother is Jewish and she is raised in the faith. Ware attends Alleyn's School in Dulwich and then studies English literature at the University of Sussex.

After university, she works briefly as a journalist at The Jewish Chronicle, does sports journalism at The Daily Mirror, and works behind the scenes at TV company Love Productions, where she is a colleague of Erika Leonard, later known as E. L. James.

Career beginnings

Before releasing her first solo album, Ware sings backing vocals for Jack Peñate, including on tour in the United States, and for Man Like Me. She says this period gives her useful live experience. Through Peñate's bandmate Tic, she is introduced to SBTRKT, and she collaborates with him on "Nervous" in 2010. She then works with Sampha on "Valentine", released on a special edition heart-shaped vinyl by Young Turks in 2011. The song is partly inspired by James Blake's "The Wilhelm Scream" and by the pair's own experiences in love. Marcus Söderlund directs the video.

"Nervous", "Valentine" and another collaboration with DJ Joker, "The Vision", lead to a record deal with PMR Records. Ware also features on Florence and the Machine's 2011 album Ceremonials.

Solo albums

Ware releases her debut solo single, "Strangest Feeling", in October 2011 on limited 10-inch purple vinyl. Her debut album Devotion follows in 2012 and reaches number five on the UK Albums Chart. The album includes the singles "Running", "110%", "Wildest Moments" and "Night Light". "Wildest Moments" becomes one of her best-known songs. Devotion is nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Her second album, Tough Love, is released in 2014 and reaches number nine in the UK, making it her second top-ten album. The title track is the first single, and Ed Sheeran co-writes "Say You Love Me". The album is produced with BenZel, the duo of Two Inch Punch and Benny Blanco, and Ware has previously worked with Blanco on "If You Love Me".

Her third album, Glasshouse, is released in 2017 on Island Records and reaches number seven in the UK. It features contributions from Francis and the Lights, Ed Sheeran, Cashmere Cat and Julia Michaels, and is preceded by the singles "Midnight", "Selfish Love" and "Alone". She also releases the non-album single "Overtime" in 2018.

Ware's fourth album, What's Your Pleasure?, is released in 2020 and reaches number three in the UK. Its singles include "Adore You", "Mirage (Don't Stop)" and "Spotlight".

Collaborations and other work

Ware contributes "The Crying Game" to Nicki Minaj's 2014 album The Pinkprint, initially receiving a songwriting credit before being added to updated versions of the album. She also co-writes "New Man" for Ed Sheeran's album ÷ and provides background vocals on that song and two others.

Podcast, charity and other projects

Ware presents the food podcast Table Manners with her mother for Acast and Island Records. The show focuses on family, food and conversation, and features a weekly guest. Early guests include Sam Smith, and later guests include Ed Sheeran, Randy Jackson, Nigella Lawson, Sandy Toksvig, Daniel Kaluuya, Paloma Faith, George Ezra, Annie Mac and Kylie Minogue.

She also launches the premium childrenswear project Anyware Kids in 2019, developed with designer George Reddings. Ware is a UNICEF UK ambassador and travels with the organisation to Bangladesh, Cameroon and North Macedonia. She joins Band Aid 30 in 2014 to record a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and is part of the charity single "Artists for Grenfell" in 2017.

Personal life

Ware marries her childhood friend Sam Burrows in 2014 on the Greek island of Skopelos. They had previously become engaged there. She later has a daughter. Ware has shared a flat with Felix White of The Maccabees, is friends with Adele, supports the Labour Party and endorses Jess Phillips in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.