Joyce Cobb

Bio:

"Singing rock and pop, soul and jazz, and even a little country, Joyce Cobb--theatre star, former nightclub owner, recording artist, and electric entertainer--weaves music into the soul of the Mid-South." --Andria Lisle, Southern Women Magazine

"Bessie Smith's soulful sound comes back to life through the voice of local jazz legend Joyce Cobb."-- Memphis Flyer

"Joyce Cobb's big, vivacious voice can interpret everything from pop to country to classical to her truest love, jazz." -- Bill Ellis, Memphis Commercial Appeal

"We had on Joyce Cobb, and a station in Colorado said, 'Our phone just lit up--where can we get this woman?'"--Sid Selvidge, Beale Street Caravan syndicated radio show producer, Memphis Daily News

As a singer, teacher, and actor, Joyce has done it all: Signed a deal at Stax Records, cut a Top 40 hit, "Dig The Gold," for the Cream label, opened shows for The Temptations, Muddy Waters, and Al Jarreau, toured Europe, performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and starred in local productions of Ain't Misbehavin' and the Center For Southern Folklore's Beale Street Saturday Night (which she co-created).

Born in Oklahoma and reared in Nashville, Joyce has been immersed in music since her childhood days singing in her grandmother's church. A popular and sought-after performer, she is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Memphis' Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, where she teaches jazz vocals.

Joyce Cobb's many awards and honors include:

* Best Female Singer (The Recording Academy/NARAS)
* Memphis Symphony League's HEBE Award (2009)
* Best Memphis Band (Memphis Flyer Readers' Poll)
* Memphis Music Commission Emissary of Memphis Music (2009)
* Tri-State Defender Women of Excellence Award (2008)
* W. C. Handy Heritage Award (2007)
* Women of Achievement Award for Initiative (2002)
* United Music Heritage Music Pioneer Award (2000)
* Beale Street "Walk of Fame" Brass Music Note
* Honorary PhD in Music (Grand Valley State University)
* Only Woman to Have a Beale Street Club Named in Her Honor

In 2004 and 2006 Joyce received rave reviews and was nominated for Ostrander Awards for her performance in Theatre Memphis' one-woman musical plays Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill and The Devil's Music: The Life and Times of Bessie Smith.

You can hear Joyce Cobb on the radio every Tuesday 2-4 pm and Wednesday 8-10 pm central time on WEVL FM 89.9 in Memphis, or click here to listen online!


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Pete Pedersen Rest In Peace

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Photo Credits: Ella Fitzgerald & Bessie Smith by Carl Van Vechten; Billie Holiday by Robin Carson

Sounds Like:

Beale Street "Walk of Fame" Brass Music Note

Memphis Flyer Readers' Poll 2008
Best Local Singer: Harlan T. Bobo, Joyce Cobb, Amy LaVere, Susan Marshall, and Di Anne Price..

Joyce Cobb & Bobby Rush at WEVL 11/14/06

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