From her sweet bluesy voice to asking not to be nominated for music awards, Jo Harman, is “merely a singer” – that’s her words. And yet her songs have touched audiences around the world.

Now she is about to sing one of her most well-known songs in an Intimate evening with Jo Harman and Mo Pleasure at Aldenham Memorial Hall as a tribute to her late father.

The concert not only will raise funds for the Aldenham Village War Memorial, but the Hertsmere village itself is a key part of the 32-year-old’s family history. We caught up with her to find out more.

Why is this concert important to you?

To be totally honest, a lot of the credit for that should go to Danny Williams, who is the landlord of the nearby Three Horseshoes pub. He is actually sponsoring the event to also raise money for Fairfield School’s solar project. Danny is obviously a big part of the local community but also has associations with the London music scene, having run various events and his partner, Lizzie Deane, is a professional singer so we have mutual connections via music.

My family – more than me personally – have lots of connections with the area and, obviously, in any event, I’m really happy to support community issues, particularly those connected with the arts.

What’s it like to work with world-class producer Mo Pleasure?

Mo’s a monster. It’s an honour to be performing with him. His resume is like a who’s who of music. Michael Jackson to Ray Charles via Roberta Flack with most points in between. More than that, he’s a very sweet, humble guy (as the best, often are) and understands female singers so well, having worked with, and often been musical director, for so many of the greats. We’re written together but this is our first real performance.

Can you tell me about the story behind your song Sweet Man Moses?

It’s a song to my father, who we lost to cancer ten years ago. It’s written in the form of a letter to my brother who was grieving quite badly, in some kind of delayed reaction, some years back. It’s a song a lot of people picked up on from my debut record. As you might imagine, it’s a very personal song and in some ways I’m surprised it got picked up on in quite the way it did.

I understand your father and grandfather was heavily involved in the resurrection of Aldenham Cricket Club. Can you tell me more about what they did?

So I understand. Although I was born in Dunstable, we moved to Devon when I was very young so that is really where I was raised; so for me it’s more about revisiting my family’s history, not least my father’s for obvious reasons.

When I was invited to lunch at the Three Horseshoes by Danny and Lizzie a few months back, I went up to the cricket club, as I had a recollection my father played there, and was surprised to see an old newspaper cutting about him on the notice board.

Apparently he and his brother and their father (my uncle and grandfather) were instrumental in building the new pavilion. so there are various family connections with the club and the area. My aunt even had her wedding reception at the adjoining social club.

Aldenham Cricket Club toured Devon, which gave my Father the idea to move to Dartmoor, where I grew up. I understand my grandfather was lifetime president at the Cricket Club and we held a memorial match for him there about ten or so years ago.

How often did you visit the village as a child?

Not that often because we moved away when I was so young, but my father and his brother, my uncle Mike, did very often and both even drank at the Three Horseshoes from time to time. It’s a strange co-incidence that Danny invited me here without knowing any of my family history.

When was the last time you came to Aldenham? Do you still have family here?

I’ve been back to the village a few times recently, thanks to Danny’s pub, and still have some family in area although nowadays mainly in the Watford and Berkhamsted area.

Can you tell me about your music career – did you always want to be a blues artist?

No, not at all. I see myself merely as a singer – okay one with a somewhat soul/blues voice – rather than a blues singer. I’ve never sung 12-bar blues as far as I can remember. But, for whatever reason, I’ve had a lot of support from the blues community – media and fans – which I’m very grateful for but not as any kind of plan, as such. I came to being an original artist quite late – I think it took my father’s death to put me on that track, to be honest – and I was a classical musician as a kid (grade 8 bassoonist, would you believe).

Where do you get your inspiration from for your music and songs?

I write about very personal things; my life really. I guess it’s a self-expression thing. I’m not the sort of artist you’ll find singing something I don’t believe.

After winning the Best Female Vocalist at the British Blues Awards in 2014 and being nominated for a further three awards, you asked not to be considered for future awards, why was that?

Firstly, because I don’t think music should be a competition. Secondly, I do have an ego but it is a kind ego that has no particular need for awards. Thirdly, it’s inappropriate. I don’t want people coming to my shows expecting “boom de boom de boom” blues. That doesn’t mean I’m not appreciative of the people who both nominated and voted for me – I’m very grateful – but I hope they understand my reasoning going forward.

What has been the highlight of your career?

Too many to mention. Almost every show is different and memorable. Playing Parkpop to 300,000 people has to be a highlight, but so was my first ever proper show at the Latest Bar in Brighton. I love French audiences, I loved playing at Farncombe Church with a choir, I loved our recent Dutch duo tour, working with Amnesty International (Joan Baez et al) playing with musicians I admire hugely, the list is endless.

I thank every day that I can make a living doing something I love so much and doing it entirely on my own terms. I feel very blessed. Perhaps recording my second record in Nashville – the whole experience of that – is the life experience to date.

Growing up, who were your musical influences?

My father’s record collection - everything from the Beatles to Cat Stevens - then I discovered Aretha Franklin, and that sparked something in itself. My influences though are many and varied - my classical background helps makes me think of music as ‘music’, however labelled.

What and where did you study?

I got a drama degree when I came to London and thereafter studied vocals for a year at Brighton Institute of Modern Music. My main education has come from being on the road and learning from some incredibly successful and talented musicians who were kind enough to donate their services when I first started out. Their belief in me was critical to my self-confidence and uncompromising independent sense of direction.

Can you tell me more about yourself?

My guilty pleasure is I like Neighbours and going to Hot Yoga.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have very little spare time so I just watch Neighbours and go to hot yoga. I say that as a joke but, actually, running my career – all the business elements included – means I have very little spare time; it’s full on.

Aldenham Memorial Hall, Grange Lane, Aldenham, WD25 8DY, Sunday, June 12 at 5.45pm. Details: 07973 558697, joharman.com.