Joyce Cobb is recognized as one of Memphis Tennessee's finest vocalists. For decades, Joyce Cobb has been delivering her unique elegant style of jazz, pop, contemporary, and soul music to audiences throughout the mid-South region and across the country! Joyce Cobb definitely has one of the deepest song lists you'll ever hear, - everything from jazz to blues, standards to pop, r&b to country, and even some "scattin'" and reggae thrown in for good measure. Joyce Cobb is a master at reading the audience and playing to them, and leading them on a magical musical journey!
I first met Joyce Cobb on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee back in the mid 1980's, and she was every bit as popular then, as she is today. Joyce Cobb stays popular! Partly because she is just great to listen to, and partly because she is so much fun to be around! She's had her own radio show for years, had one of the first clubs on Beale Street in the 'new' era, and has bee a solid staple of Memphis Music - and a quality role model for young musicians and artists to look up to. As far as Memphis Bands, Memphis Music, and Memphis Entertainment are concerned, there is none better than Joyce Cobb!
Not only is Joyce Cobb one of the most versatile vocalists in the region today, but she can also scale her show to your needs, performing as a trio, quartet, large band, and even a full orchestra! Her seven piece band is comprised of some of the finest players in the region:
Joyce Cobb: vocals & harmonica; Jim Arnold: guitar; Mike Adams: electric & upright bass; J.T. Page: piano; Kim Trammell: drums; Nokie Taylor: trumpet; Sonny Williams: saxophone
Her status as a favorite at high end venues, clubs, and private parties is unequaled! A Class Act!
"One of Memphis's great musical treasures." -- Christopher Blank, Memphis Commerical Appeal
"Singing rock and pop, soul and jazz, and even a little country, Joyce Cobb--theatre star, former nightclub owner, recording artist, and electric entertainer--weaves music into the soul of the Mid-South." --Andria Lisle, Southern Women Magazine
"Bessie Smith's soulful sound comes back to life through the voice of local jazz legend Joyce Cobb."-- Memphis Flyer
"We had on Joyce Cobb, and a station in Colorado said, 'Our phone just lit up--where can we get this woman?'"--Sid Selvidge, Beale Street Caravan syndicated radio show producer, Memphis Daily News
"Joyce Cobb's big, vivacious voice can interpret everything from pop to country to classical to her truest love, jazz." -- Bill Ellis, Memphis Commercial Appeal
As a singer, teacher, and actor, Joyce has done it all: Signed a deal at Stax Records, cut a Top 40 hit, "Dig The Gold," for the Cream label, opened shows for The Temptations, Muddy Waters, and Al Jarreau, toured Europe, performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and starred in local productions of Ain't Misbehavin' and the Center For Southern Folklore's Beale Street Saturday Night (which she co-created).
Born in Oklahoma and reared in Nashville, Joyce has been immersed in music since her childhood days singing in her grandmother's church. A popular and sought-after performer, she is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Memphis' Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, where she teaches jazz vocals.
Joyce Cobb's many awards and honors include:
* Best Female Singer (The Recording Academy/NARAS)
* Best Memphis Band (Memphis Flyer Readers' Poll)
* Music Pioneer Award (United Music Heritage)
* Women of Achievement Award for Initiative
* Beale Street "Walk of Fame" Brass Music Note
* W. C. Handy Heritage Award (2007)
* Honorary PhD in Music (Grand Valley State University)
* Only Woman to Have a Beale Street Club Named in Her Honor
In 2004 and 2006 Joyce received rave reviews and was nominated for Ostrander Awards for her performance in Theatre Memphis' one-woman musical plays Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill and The Devil's Music: The Life and Times of Bessie Smith.
You can hear Joyce Cobb on the radio every Tuesday 2-4 pm and Wednesday 8-10 pm central time on WEVL FM 89.9 in Memphis, or click here to listen online!
