Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Singer/songwriter Chris Joyner is Mavis, and it’s easy to draw instant comparisons to the likes of John Mayer and Jack Johnson. This is feel-good acoustic pop but Mavis’ vocal tone has a depth that rivals folks like Mayer and Lenny Kravitz. There’s also groove ala Dave Matthews and implicit beauty like Nick Drake here. Mavis’ debut on Pete Yorn’s label has some great material, but something tells me there’s a lot more to come.
-Mike Farley - Bullzeye.com
Ordinarily known as a keyboard player, Joyner’s voice proves irresistible, falling somewhere between Isaac Hayes and Ben Harper. The strength of “Dreams” lies in its patience, deliberately slow and heartfelt; it also benefits from a playful arrangement.
-Travis Johnson
- nighttimes.com
Mavis (Chris Joyner) has a gift for placing clever, introspective lyrics over a background of enchanting harmonies in a way that has me begging for more than the four tracks on this pre-release CD. His relaxed, breathy vocal delivery keeps the songs light and free – this keyboardist-turned-vocalist lets his words ebb and flow with the instruments in a way that ties every note together to tell moving, yet understated stories. Finding music like this is the reason why I write reviews. When Mavis' debut album, hits shelves some time in the near future, I will be the guy pushing you out of the way to get my hands on a copy.
-Matthew W. - Scorerocks.com
...and Chris Joyner added vital and tasteful elements to the recording process. On the soul-stirring “Skipping Stone,” Joyner plays a gorgeous, churchy Hammond B3, setting the stage for one of Lee’s strongest vocal performances. - Blue Note Press Release
Discography
Artists I have been asscoiated with...The Freewheelers, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, The Wallflowers, Marc Ford, Peter Himmelman, Sheryl Crow, Tom Freund, Jeremy Toback, Luther Russell, Michal, Rosey, Dave Pirner, Gigolo Aunts , Deborah Falconer, Rickie Lee Jones, Minnie Driver, John Gregory, Amos Lee, Ivan Neville, Chris Robinson, Tom Morello, Perry Farrell, Counting Crows, etc..
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
From bruises to bottle caps singer/songwriter, Chris Joyner’s musical journey began at the age of five when he learned the foundations of boogie-woogie piano from his mother. Educated across the globe as a youth and classically trained as a teenager he would soon embrace his musical ability as a salvation to play his way off the streets of Los Angeles.
Later, continuing his studies at UC Berkeley he left college to join The Freewheelers (DGC records) who would go on to sign with Rick Rubin's American Records. Chris played as a featured keyboardist with the likes of Natalie Merchant, The Wallflowers, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, Sheryl Crow, Citizen Cope, and recorded with dozens of others. Most recently he has been recording and touring with Amos Lee.
Chris has emerged as an enchanting live performer with a strong following, playing to a devoted group of followers at L.A.’s most coveted venues.
In his first solo effort “Loved” recorded with Stevie Blacke, Chris’ delivers dreamy and introspective lyrics with a melancholy joyful bliss. His smoky and sweet single "Only in My Dreams" was included on Pete Yorn’s Trampoline Records Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Compilation, on Rounder Records.
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