Joanne Griffith
Montréal, Quebec, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
http://www.radio-canada.ca/radio/emissions/document.asp?docnumero=24362&numero=1830
With musical influences as diverse as those from Africa, India or South America, clear-voiced Joanne Griffith presents a world music album that is well-grounded in Montreal. 'The project is a cultural blend representing my city's cosmopolitan encounters.' - Je ne fais que passer, 08-10-06, Radio-Canada/CBC
YôYê
Born in Montreal to West-Indian parents, singer Joanne Griffith was a member of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir for ten years. Her first CD, YôYê, underscores the brotherhood between the West Indies, Africa and Brazil and shows how inspiring Montreal's cultural métissage can be. (...) Several texts comment on our children's future and could reach a wide audience. Griffith's voice offers the negro spiritual's colour and the natural ease of singers from the 70s (...). Arranger and musical director Jean-Francois Garneau chose to work with some of Montreal's best known musicians who, through the use of a variety of instruments, bring a rich texture to each and every song.
Denys Lelièvre
- Voir Montreal
Born in Montreal to West Indian parents, Joanne Griffith brings a multicultural perspective to her music. Incorporating African-American, Caribbean, and African styles - and French and English lyrics - she moves seamlessly through melodic tunes that highlight her soft, clear voice. On the gentler side of the world music continuum, Joanne Griffith's music will have particular appeal for fans of Izaline Calister, Maria de Barros, Lhasa, and the like. - Spin the Globe, world music news
Discography
YôYê
12-song CD, released in October 2004
Buy it at www.cdbaby.com/joannegriffith, where excerpts of all the songs are featured.
For other info, please visit www.joannegriffith.com. All the songs are available on iTunes or on www.broadjam.com/joannegriffith, where the song Talaté has been in the Top Ten of the World music chart for months.
Joanne's joyful Filosofia pura (ÉaÉo) has won a spot on Global Rhythm's September compilation CD.
Photos
Bio
Born in Montreal to West-Indian parents, Joanne Griffith grew up in a vibrant multicultural environment, speaking English at home and French at school. As a member of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir for more than 10 years, Joanne performed in more than 100 shows, including one for Nelson Mandela when he visited Montreal in 1989, and in 5 recordings, in North America and Europe.
In 1999, Joanne Griffith launched her career as a soloist with a concert entitled Prima at Club Soda, in Montreal. Since then, Joanne has been singing regularly, developing and expanding her repertory with the help of her musical director, Jean-François Garneau, whose influences go from bluesmen Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee to Brazilian poet songwriter Caetano Veloso and great French composer Maurice Ravel. Her musicians, Fabrice Laurent, Christophe Papadimitriou and Richard Lalonde are joined on the début album by Paulo Ramos, Vovo, Karl Surprenant, Nathalie Cora, Jean-Pierre Zanella, Vincent Beaulne, Lilison Cordeiro M. and Kristin Molnar, offering listeners a cd that is highly touching and original.
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