Stephanie Joyner

Growing up with "Philly Sounds" contribute as unique and powerful influences. First vocal performance, classic folk with 3 siblings at age 11, with the paralleled interest of scatting improvisational harmonies, inspired by the memorization of Ella's "How High the Moon" from "Ella Live in Berlin". Typical vocal family jams included standards, blues, rock, Motown, and R&B. First composition...rock, at age 14 while singing in a local band, while belting out classics like "White Rabbit" and other classic rock. A few years later (freshman year of college) performing vocal and congas in a funk/pop dance band, covering Chaka, Carol King and Bonnie Raitt, began the formative performance exposure in the molding process. Senior year in college, arrived at a 2 female front, horn-section dance-band that threw jazz and standards in the middle...of disco tunes? Samples included "Last Dance", "Lady Marmalade", and many classic disco tunes. Off to a short stint of a show band exploring, country, 50's, Elvis and pop. The symbol crashed upon a family funeral...the curtain fell, no vocals for 13 years...the only exception, a family wedding. A dear friend returned the gift of music with requests of hearing PP&M tunes during a very slow passing... in the 13th year, awakened the urge to peek through the curtain.
A re-emergence to the world of music and the serious beginning to song writing. With a well-rounded vocal background and minimal guitar knowledge, chords fell into place and the moment of true accompaniment arrived when a classically trained guitarist offered the compliment of “good rhythm chops” at an open Mic. The formative practice years were paralleled with amazing vocal exposure to an array of music styles. From a “one-woman-your-host show” to “almost-anything goes” entertainment at this resort, for 4 years. Ringers from NYC mixing with local novices, both found broad-rimmed smiles at evening's end...now "that's entertainment". Texturing background with character building, then fusing with the "school of informality" would set the stage for quite an interesting mix. Launching the family heritage of "story-telling" with musical narration, creates the base for compositions expressed as ballads, folk, standards, swing, blues, rock, and R&B originals...delivery of these musical creations is relaxed and honest, while the styling depends upon, “the song”!