Bio
About Carolyn Joyce
“Carolyn has a clear tone and a great sense of time.” Rebecca Kligore, internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist
“A sensitive and subtle performer who matches a beautiful sound with a sophisticated lyrical sense, Carolyn’s fresh interpretations are a quiet pleasure” Darrell Grant, jazz pianist, professor of jazz studies, Portland State University
“She has a most pleasant voice - smooth and resonant. Her diction is impeccable and she delivers a lyric with an honest feeling and respect. “ Dick Bogle, KMHD radio disc jockey, and jazz critic
Ask Portland jazz musicians and singers alike - vocalist Carolyn Joyce merits respect and admiration for her vocal talents. Carolyn’s warm, sensual vocal beauty has been likened to that of the late Irene Kral, a singer treasured by jazz aficionados. Carolyn uses her distinctive voice to deliver effortlessly swinging renditions of standards that make toes tap, and intimate ballads that leave couples cuddling a bit closer.
Carolyn Joyce was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her mother was a classically trained pianist who had studied at the Peabody in Baltimore, and her father loved Shubert “Lieder” which he sang in a rich, baritone voice in the family home, accompanied by Carolyn’s mother on piano. As a young child, Carolyn would sing with her mother accompanying her, performing such numbers as “The Good Ship Lollipop” at family parties. ”Singing with my mother was my favorite form of play”, says Carolyn.
By adolescence, Carolyn had moved from singing to playing the viola in her high school orchestra, studying viola privately, and playing in local community pit orchestras for semi-professional musical productions.
At Indiana University, friends introduced Carolyn to jazz, and she was soon listening to Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, Charles Mingus, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, and Wayne Shorter. She discovered Ella Fitzgerald, and the enticing world of singing and interpreting jazz standards. Carolyn learned a core of standards, practiced them with student musicians, and started working local gigs. While at IU, Carolyn was selected by audition as the only non- music major to participate in Eileen Farrell’s vocal jazz class one year, and studied jazz history with trombonist and J.J. Johnson disciple David Nathaniel Baker.
After college, Carolyn spent ten years in Chicago, honing her craft with local musicians such as saxophonist Von Freeman, pianists Joe Vito, Creighton McGrath and Bobby Schiff, drummer Rusty Jones, and violinist Johnny Frigo. She appeared at many of Chicago’s top jazz venues including Andy’s, The Green Room, Toulouse, Morgan’s, The Zebra Lounge, and The Saber Room.
Carolyn relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1994, and has performed at the Brasserie, Jazz De Opus, LV’s, Abou Karim, The Heathman, Wilfs, and Jimmy Mak’s with pianists Dave Frishberg, Randy Porter, Tony Pacini, George Mitchell, and Creighton McGrath. She also is the featured vocalist with the Mazel Tov Orchestra, singing Klezmer and Latin Jazz numbers in Yiddish. The band features some of Portland’s best jazz musicians: George Mitchell, piano; Dave Captein, bass; Reinhard Melz, drums; Stan Boch, trombone, and leader Sammy Epstein, clarinet and saxophones. To find out more about the Mazel Tov Orchestra and to hear samples from the band’s CD, “Yiddische Tam”, visit www.mazeltovorchestra.com.
Carolyn’s extensive repertoire includes hundreds of the best jazz standards and lesser known gems. She enjoys taking requests and learning special songs for weddings and other occasions.
email Carolyn: carolyn@carolynjoyce.net
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