Gospel, jazz, soul and blues are the backgrounds of Joyce Elaine Yuille. Starting her venture into the world as a runway model she eventually found her true path…The union between her soul, love of music and God given talent as a singer.

Being born in New York City has definitely taught her the art of entertainment. A mixture of multi ethnicity that only a city like New York can offer, a melting pot that has aided in her creativity and way to approach life. Accepting everyone as they are and always striving to share a dream and vision. Extremely influenced by diverse styles of music not to mention she is born and and raised in the same El Barrio a.k.a Spanish Harlem, neighborhood as the legendary Tito "Mambo King", Puente.

As a teen, Joyce entered into one of the most prestigious high schools in New York City, which was introduced to the world in Alan Parker's film "FAME". It was during her attendance at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of The Music and the Performing Arts where she began to focus on studying music. After a career as a runway model and eventually relocating to Milan Italy, she united with two local musicians and formed the group 3*D. The group recorded a version of Toto’s "Georgy Porgy". The track was stylishly remixed by JP “Bluey” Maunick of Incognito fame and by Steve Lyon (Paul McCartney, Tears for Fears, The Cure). With the latter remixing the whole project entitled “Deep Inside” on Sony/Tristar. After reaching international commercial success with the “cover single” the group unfortunately was forced to retire.

 

Her admiration for divas such as Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Etta James, Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald and all time favorite, Phyllis Hyman, have influenced her to create a personal style that is respectfully appreciated and admired by her audience. Always fearless on stage no matter what the circumstances, her heart and soul are the keys during her performances, her quick wit, sassy style and ability to touch the public profoundly, always leave them with a “special feeling” and something memorable to take home.

 

Joyce has been fortunate to work with many international and italian artists and served as a background vocalist with the celebrated disco diva Gloria Gaynor with whom she toured with for six years. There have also been a few appearances on Italian television and with her extensive past role as a studio singer her voice has been featured on numerous dance tunes, commercial and radio jingles from 1999 until 2014. Nonetheless, Joyce’s smooth and more profound true vocal talents are far more easily recognized and appreciated in jazz, which is her primary genre and blues/soul where she has demonstrated her more get down “nitty-gritty” style.

 

Her first solo album, “Welcome to my World”, was released in April 2015 and in a short time gifted with rave reviews from major music critics and radio stations across Europe, Japan and the United Kingdom. Her collaboration with Finnish saxophonist, Timo Lassy and his band; One of the best North- European jazz groups visibly present on the international jazz scene, has created an album that expels a strong jazz and blues feeling, a 14-track collection which includes original songs co-written by Joyce, as well as four cover tracks from the soul/jazz repertoire.

The album was produced by Luciano Cantone for Schema Records, a record label specialized in retro, Brasilian and nu-jazz, that also released Mario Biondi’s debut hit “Handful of Soul” among many others.

 

Joyce continues to display her talents and constantly travels, performing at numerous jazz and blues festivals and has been on the stages of well known jazz clubs and prestigious venues around the world.

 

She has participated at events such as the Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), Five consecutive editions of the Rapperswil Blues & Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Treviso Blues Festival (Italy), Jazz Is Back (Croatia), Donne in Jazz (Italy), Mara Jazz Festival (Italy), Alma Jazz Festival (Italy), Ferrara in Jazz (Italy), Jazz Sotto Le Stelle Festival (Italy), World Music Festival on the Beach (Italy), Ascona Jazz Festival Switzerland, Trasimeno Blues Festival (Italy), Mantova Music Festival (Italy), ISEO Jazz Festival (Italy), MITO Settembre Musica (Italy), Riccione in Jazz (Italy), Schio Jazz Festival (Italy), Aosta Soul & Blues Festival (Italy), Negroamaro Wine & Music Festival (Italy), Irpino Jazzin’ Fest (Italy)…(also as artistic director), Lovere Jazz Festival (Italy)l, Lario Jazz Festival (Italy), Chieti D’Autore Jazz (Italy), Umbria Jazz Winter, We Jazz Festival Helsinki, Jazzenatico (Cesenatico) and the list continues…

 

She has also graced  the stages of well known clubs and prestigious venues such as consecutive sold out performances at renown jazz club Blue Note Milano, the Sporting Club (Nice), Teatro Piccolo (Milano) Teatro Delle Verme (Milano) Auditorium di Milano, Baluardo Della Cittadella (Modena), New Museum (Berlin), Bravo Caffè (Bologna), La Salumeria Della Musica (Milano), La Casa Del Jazz (Rome), Alexanderplatz (Rome) in addition to many other venues in Italy and around Europe.  She has also on occasion taken on the role as artistic director of a few smaller jazz festivals in Italy.

 

Her musical journey continues with an intense charisma that gently but forcefully touches and falls deep into the hearts of all who listen.Her vocal style, sultry wittiness and on stage energy is sure to capture the attention of one and all.

For booking please contact:

Maurizio Della Fortuna - Live Music Band Agency

maurizio@livemusicband.net