Music
Press
City Swing starts a new chapter in 2007 with jazz singer Joyce Grant. The great-great-niece of famed ragtime composer Scott Joplin, Grant has been singing jazz in Bay Area venues like the Plush Room and the Donatello Hotel for 20 years. A mezzo-soprano with a voice like dark honey, Grant has a performance resumé that includes a wide range of venues including the Empire Plush Room and the Donatello Hotel (9 years) in San Francisco, the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma, Cetrella in Half Moon Bay, the Liberty Hotel in Pittsburg, Slates in Walnut Creek, Joe's of Lafayette, the Woodminster Amphitheater, and the Zingari Ristorante (5 years) in San Francisco.
Born in Texarkana, the town where Scott Joplin was raised, Grant moved to Oakland as a child where she started singing with the North Oakland Baptist Church Youth Choir. Since that time she has earned the respect of singers and musicians alike performing professionally in San Francisco, the East Bay, Walnut Creek, Napa Valley and beyond. Her unique shows consist of a blend of jazz, blues, country western, Rhythm and Blues, and funk. Her vocal interpretations range from sensitive to powerful to cheeky over a broad spectrum of charts.
- Gualala Arts
Swinderman next acknowledged that he wished (and he dreams) that he could sing, but he can't except for when he's down in his basement with a martini. However, he does know a lady that can sing was meant to sing, and we should hear her sing and her name is Joyce Grant. Oh Mr. Swinderman, you are right on all accounts. Vocalist Grant strolled up on the stage, gave us a smile that lit the hall, then sang the first verse of "Amazing Grace" a cappella. Able to caress phrases, to move through spellbinding notes with power and dignity, Ms. Grant's shimmering husky alto casts a spell of grace. Grant rolled out that vocal instrument of hers and layered the hall in snap and color. Using the microphone chord like a wagging finger, Grant purred out "After You've Gone", "Ain't Misbehavin" by this trio used some honeysuckle guitar, muscle pumping congas and sip and sigh vocals to tell its story. - Pacifica Music Review
Discography
Currently I only have one song that has been getting radio airplay. The song is called "Speak To Me". It is on Eric Swinderman's cd "In Pursuit Of The Sound".
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Bio
I have been performing as a "duo" in a hotel for over ten years. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to learn ALL TYPES of music from Caberet to Country. When I perform at other venues with the full band, it's just icing on the cake. Music has always been a part of my life. I have a talent for connecting with my audience and knowing what type of songs to sing at any given moment. Music is my passion and I believe that is why I have been consistently giging for over twelve years.
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