About Me

My name is JoJo Zawawi and I have seriously crazy curly red hair, which should tell you something.  (I'm not sure what!)  Even though I don't live there at the moment, I'm mostly from Los Angeles.

Why “Mysterious Person”? Well, here's the backstory: When I was a young'un and had no credit rating, no credit cards, no nada, and was working as an employee doing data entry in Glendale, American Express sent me an invitation to apply for a fancy-schmancy corporate card. I KNEW they wouldn't approve me (heck, I didn't even have a business!), so I sent in the app just for fun. I put “Mysterious Person” as the company name. Two weeks later, the card came in the mail. It was AWESOME. “JoJo [+ my maiden name], Mysterious Person.” And this was in the days when you handed your credit card to the merchant, long before electronic terminals. Man, was that fun. And thus, Mysterious Person was born.

And what about me? I've lived all over the world and had a pile of adventures (see my Blog).  I compose all sorts of music and the occasional film score (nominated for Best Composer/Documentary at the 2018 Burbank International Film Festival!).  I write.  I love learning languages.  I paint and draw and carve wood and make stuff.  I cook.  I take pictures.  (All photos on this site, except those of me!, and except one of the pictures of Mister Fuzzy the cat, were taken by me.) You can visit the About Me page for more Stuff About Me!

Testimonials!

I always did like your composing. It's refreshing. ... Genius composer.

Chick CoreaMultiple Grammy-Winning Jazz Pianist & Composer
 

IT’S BEAUTIFUL ... beautiful. That’s ****ing amazing. You are so alive!!!!!

Stanley ClarkeGrammy-Winning Bassist, Producer, Composer
 

You have chops!

Steve RochinskiJazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Author, Music Professor at Berklee College of Music
 

I am blown away with the raw talent of JoJo Zawawi...

... makes me want to cry and laugh. I only hope that you know how outrageously talented you are. In the Middle-East when you hear or see something that is brilliant you shout Allah! Allah! That is what I am doing right now.

Elen GhulamArtist, Author, Flamenco Dancer
 

OMFG!! I'VE JUST LISTENED TO YOUR MUSIC!!

My dear JoJo, you are a true genius!! You are increeeedibly talented, as a musician, composer, arranger, and all-round artist!

Nicky BakerActress, Singer, Artist
 

I LOVED LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC. I COULD DO SO ALL DAY.

F.K.Artists' Rep
 

I’m the daughter of a classical musician starved for good improvisational sound. You are a delight and relief.

K.W.
 

You are a musical genius like I’ve rarely seen.

V.R.Writer
 

Wow Wow. What a beautiful gift you have sent me.

Your playing is exquisite. Lyrical. Everything. Just wonderful. I have been looking for piano CDs ... yours is just wonderful. Thank you so much—just love it.

A.T.Flamenco Guitarist
 

“Went to your site and listened. First calm moment I had all day.

I loved it. So beautiful ... your music is superlative.

P.K.
 

That is my favorite type of sound.

That understated, beautiful Piano. Great stuff.

Lightfield LewisFilmmaker
 

It’s breathtaking.

Your improv is magical. Listening to the notes as they play out is like following a path and not knowing where it will lead and being overwhelmed by beauty at each turn. It touches the soul ... beyond amazing. If I could only take five CDs to my desert island, one of yours would be on my list of must haves.

S.K.Author
 

Really beautiful writing/improv.

Your piano improv is just exquisite, I really mean that. I’ll be listening to this again and again.

Kennard RamseyComposer, Musician
 

You are so talented. Beautiful. You have a unique ‘voice’.

Sparkle V. HayterAuthor
 

WOW!!!! What an amazing artist!

Michael DovenPhotographer
 

Beautiful JoJo!!!!! Wonderfuuuuuuuuuuuulllllllll my friend.

Harmony is wonderful. Thank youuuuuuuuu. It is very beautiful!!!!! You made me very happy tonight. Always so lyrical and dreamy. Thanks for your music JoJo.

Fulvio LiuzziComposer, Musician, Music Teacher
 

Holy crap. This is AWESOME. Just off the charts epic.

D.D.Event Producer, PR Executive, Musician
 

JoJo!! LOVE it!!!

So beautiful!!! I hear you in this music, JoJo!! Beautiful.

Jenna ElfmanActress, Dancer
 

Haunting and gorgeous and so beautifully done. Wow.

C.L.
 

Darn beautiful stuff!

Marc BossermanComposer, Musician
 

Chopin couldn’t hold your chopsticks.

P.A.V.P. of a tech firm
 

Totally beautiful score, JoJo. Wow!!!!!!!

Daniel LirFilmmaker
 

Wow! Haunting. Powerful. Such a story in the music!

Listening to this, you’d think you were Armenian!!! Brava, JoJo!!!!

Anoush NevartActress, Musician
 

Wow, such gorgeous music. I’ve been listening to it these past few days.

Many pieces got to me. But I just listened to one tonight which REALLY got to me. Had me in tears, actually.

Michael ManoogianArtist, Graphic Designer, Photographer
 

Your music touched my soul...

I’m just listening to your tracks now, they’re all so beautiful. I haven’t had a lot of chances to listen to your tracks before, but seems like I had a sudden shock listening to them, they’re so truly beautiful and emotional ... I’ll be on the stage in a concert tomorrow night, I was feeling a bit nervous tonight, but your music touched my soul, and inspired me so much. I don’t normally write messages but just really wanted to say ‘thank you’ for your wonderful music. With big respect.

K.Pianist, Composer
 

Dependable, reliable, uber competent and delivers what she promises.

T.J.Marketing Professional
 

JoJo is an upbeat and creative person with integrity and talent.

H.M.Graphic Designer/Printer
 

JoJo is an honest and easygoing person. She's professional...

...and takes the time to provide good work. I like her style.

L.C.Writer
 

JoJo is very imaginative, innovative and creative.

R.H.Computer Programmer