Joy Kills Sorrow’s sound is a veritable melting pot of American music. Though soundly rooted in bluegrass, their music owes a large debt to jazz, classical and contemporary stlyes. Combining virtuosic award-winning talent and unique vision, Joy Kills Sorrow offers a fresh take on acoustic music. As a bluegrass band that hails from Boston, Joy Kills Sorrow stands out a bit amongst the jazz and rock bands they share the city with. But after hearing their music or reading a bit about the influences that have informed their sound, you get the feeling that their sound would be unique no matter where they were from.
You can thank (or blame) Bostons music schools for bringing the musicians who make up Joy Kills Sorrow together. With several members having studied at the New England Conservatory, one who teaches there, and one who studies at the Berklee College of Music, Joy Kills Sorrow brings a lot of book learning to their sound. Equally important to this sound, though, are the years of performing experience in bluegrass, jazz, contemporary and classical music that have helped to shape these musicians. And with members having shared the stage with such influential musicians as Earl Scruggs, Tony Trischka, David Grisman, Darol Anger, Dave Holland, Emmylou Harris, Chris Thile, and Gillian Welch, it’s clear that Joy Kills Sorrow plays on an exceptionally high level.
Joy Kills Sorrow blends traditional and contemporary influences with original compositions and age-old melodies, creating a sound that is inherently American and uniquely their own. Featuring the soulful vocals of Emma Beaton the one of a kind styling of banjoist Wes Corbett, the internationally award-winning songwriting and bass chops of Bridget Kearney, the 2006 national flatpicking champion Matthew Arcara, and Berklee College of Music’s pioneering first mandolin student Joe Walsh, Joy Kills Sorrow has deftly crafted a home for itself on the borders between bluegrass, jazz, old-time and pop styles.
Thanks for joining our circle of friends, and thanks for helping to keep Redd's legacy alive! Billy & Sharon www. reddstewart. com (Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys)
hey there matt. it was great hanging at greyfox. i was blaming red knuckles for a while but then i was reminded me that it was you who said we should "just pour the rest of the rum in there". i suppose i'll let you blame red knuckles too. he's a good scape goat. you and ben should totally have come to rockygrass. we missed you guys.
Howdy Boston! I'll be playing this Friday night at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge (lizardloungeclub. com) w/The Wiyos, Curtis Eller, and Josh Lederman. Come on down!
Thanks for visiting our neck of the woods! I sure had fun listening/picking with you guys. You’re really a great bunch of folks--and so talented! Keep up the great music.
Hi! I really enjoyed your music! Nice arrangements and the vocals are really beautiful! hope that I'll get the chance to see you guys live sometime.. take care /oskar
I wanted to drop you a note to thank you for taking the time to listen to our music.
We appreciate the gesture and are grateful that you enjoyed the material enough to add us to your community of friends. After all, having people connect with our music is why we do this.
I hope you'll come by often to say hello and let us know what's happening with you, and when you have a spare moment, please visit our CD baby page http:/cdbaby. com/cd/crosstimbers there you can listen to more of our music and find out more about us.
hi how are things goin? your myspace is looking sweet! but anyways, i just downloaded some sweet new tones from www.groovytones.info for FREE! they have the newest selection!
getting better - almost 100%. I didn't order Levon tix yet. I can do it tomorrow. think it's just you and me, unless you know anyone else who wants in.
Thanks for the add. Thanks also for playing "Weary Blues from Waiting." I was just listening to Hank Williams sing it last night, and I love that song. The vocals are beautiful.
