Joyce, an acclaimed hall of fame saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist hailing from Dallas, TX, showcases a diverse array of musical influences and styles. ...
By: Darrel LeJeune Editor
Holloywood, CA - Long before she was winning awards on national stages and gracing the covers of jazz magazines, Joyce Fontenot Spencer was a young saxophonist marching with the Bearcat Band belting soulful solos with the Basile Sing Out Group.
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VoyageDallas Magazine - Conversations with Joyce Spencer
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Conversations with Joyce Spencer
Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Spencer.
Hi Joyce, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My initial introduction to music, specifically in relation to playing instruments, came from my older siblings. All three of them played instruments in the school band, so in 5th grade I joined the beginner’s school band playing the clarinet. I sounded so bad my dog would howl, and my father would laugh. I continued with the clarinet through 11th grade. I switched to saxophone at the request of my band director, Carole Bergeron, because our marching band of about 40–45 members didn’t have enough saxophones. I found the saxophone to be easier and more interesting than the clarinet.
From Bearcat Band to Jazz Royalty - Basile native hits all the right notes
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By: Darrel LeJeune Editor
Holloywood, CA - Long before she was winning awards on national stages and gracing the covers of jazz magazines, Joyce Fontenot Spencer was a young saxophonist marching with the Bearcat Band belting soulful solos with the Basile Sing Out Group.
Smooth Jazz Life - Joyce Spencer - Cherish
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As an award-winning saxophonist, flutist and vocalist from Dallas, TX, Joyce Spencer covers the gamut of musical influence, style and genre from traditional to contemporary jazz and classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. The mixing and blending of musical styles in her upbringing is definitely her forte and an asset to writing music and entertainment. Whether it’s upbeat music or sultry smooth jazz or ballads, Joyce provides sensational musical entertainment on saxophone (soprano, alto, and tenor), flute and vocals that caters to the fans.
Spencer explains the title to her new single “Cherish”:
“After we lost our Mother to COVID-19, my siblings and I struggled to find ways to deal with our loss. Coping became more difficult as we observed a steady increase in deaths across the country. More relatives fell victim to this virus, including two additional deaths. Now I cherish the memories of my Mother so much that I just poured my grief into this song and titled it, Cherish”.
Listen to Cherish on Smooth Jazz Buzz (Playlist 19/5).
Spirit, Fire and the Expression of Grace
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You can hear her wailing on the soprano sax, digging into the music with a fierce flute or singing from the spirit that moves her: Joyce Spencer is all that plus a jazz radio host. Crediting the support of her husband and family members as well as her strong faith in God, she never forgets the long list of those who helped her career and were wonderful to play with.
Her “Many Colors” CD shows depth and flavor, from jazz and funk to ballad and zydeco.
Did you always want to play sax?
No. I just wanted to be “in music” or in the band like my older siblings. Besides, in the small town where I grew up, there weren’t a lot of extracurricular activities available other than sports, and no private lessons were available.
I started playing clarinet in the 5th grade and saxophone in the 12th. After my first year in college, I switched majors from radio and TV broadcasting to instrumental music education. Later, I added flute and theater.
Your family was supportive?
After I graduated from college, I had to face the harsh reality that there was not a demand for female saxophone players and I refused to “sell my soul” to make it, so I went to work in the retail business and married this wonderful man, LaDarien.
Later, after corporate America and children, I pretty much gave up on my dreams; however, my husband would not let me sell my saxophone. Thank God for him encouraging me to hold on because in 2010, I decided to “light the fire” again and the candle has been burning ever since!
He has been acting as my manager with help and assistance in bookings, critique of live shows and professional recordings, sound engineering, roadie etc. He has also taken the burden of working two jobs while I pursue my career. He is definitely a blessing from the most-high God!
How do faith and gospel inform your music and your style?
My life experience and exposure to multiple musical genres form my musical style. And I believe that it is forever evolving, as I am forever a student of life and music.
Since I’ve had such a variety in terms of challenges and victories, the music I play is anywhere from traditional to contemporary jazz, R&B, funk and fusion, gospel/Christian and some blues, pop, and classic rock with one genre bending and crossing over to another genre.
Everything I do is under the auspices of faith and gospel, which is an uncontested journey of faith and love of the Gospel.
Other instruments – and do you sing?
I play soprano, alto and tenor sax and flute. I also sing.
Which embouchure was hardest to master- sax or flute and why?
Flute, because a lot of the air escapes over the lip plate. I was dizzy for about two weeks before I finally got the embouchure and aperture right.
I never got dizzy on the clarinet or saxophone. I had a great flute teacher in college, Dr. Patricia Bulber, who taught me how to angle the air and place the flute on the bottom lip correctly to control air flow and achieve good tone quality.
Which is your favorite instrument?
Alto Sax.
What’s the music scene like in Texas now? Were venues affected by the hurricane?
The music scene is very much alive in Texas in cities like Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and surrounding areas with large and small music festivals and other venues from bars or restaurants to arenas or coliseums; however, I believe all cities in Texas were directly or indirectly affected by the hurricane.
I felt I had no choice but to suggest canceling my event in the Beaumont area after talking to local supporters about the damages suffered by so many people. The venue and I agreed that it was best to postpone the event. Even in the Dallas area where the hurricane did not reach, one of my events was cancelled due to the gas shortage that resulted from the natural disaster.
Why isn’t jazz promoted more in mainstream culture – like in movies, TV, advertising, etc.?
I think it’s all about the dollar. The media is a business and will tend to cater to areas that provide high ratings or sales. The only solution I can think of right now is to encourage jazz lovers to spend money by attending jazz shows, buying jazz music and merchandise. If a jazz artist can pack a venue with an audience like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, etc. can, I assure you it would gain more respect and become more mainstream. Your local venues would cater to jazz if their small- or medium-sized club or restaurant would incur record sales and repeat customers.
But we also have to keep in mind that music has been developing and evolving since the Gregorian chant. Even classical composers included the culture of that time into their compositions from the Middle Ages to the modern or 20th century era.
If we remain in a horse and buggy world, we will be left behind as the modern cars speed by you. Yes, there is still a place for a horse and buggy, like a romantic ride in the park, but the mainstream streets and highways are filled with motorized vehicles with a much faster speed.
When and why did you get involved in online radio, specifically GHP Indie Live Spot?
I’ve known the owner/founder Gary Fuston of GHP Radio for about seven years, but joined the crew as a co-host in February 2017. I created a profile on his radio’s social network where I uploaded tracks from my first CD (2010), and he has been playing my music ever since.
In the interim, I’ve been a guest on the show a few times, and Gary and I have performed on the same bill at live shows in Texas and Oklahoma.
I absolutely love how GHP Radio continues to support the music of independent artists and provide a platform where we can come together and celebrate our music, achievements and accomplishments. So, when I was asked to join the crew as a co-host and report entertainment news, it was definitely an easy and resounding yes!
Trinity River Blues Society
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Musicians Corner Feature – Joyce Spencer
Oct 18, 2021 | Blog, Trinity River Blues Society
Woodshed Jazz Magazine
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JOYCE SPENCER
Written by Bridgid Brousseau
”Your sharp three- piece suit and shiny shoes, howling like a dog singin down- home blues but I see you." ~Joyce Spencer~
It’s always fortifying to have a conversation with someone whose beautiful spirit, soul and principles in life mirror the lyrics and music they share with the world. I was fortunate enough to catch up with her and toss a few questions her way. She is a saxophonist, flutist, vocalist, songwriter and composer. She is Joyce Spencer.
Bridgid: What were you like as a child?
Joyce: I was like a tomboy. I climbed trees. I would even climb to the roof of our house. I don’t like the expression daredevil I prefer dare angle. I would jump from the second floor of my grandfather’s barn, out of the window to the ground with my cousins. I was always just very daring and curious about things.
Bridgid: What do you do physically and/or emotionally to keep it together between touring, writing, producing and just everyday life?
Joyce: I listen to very soft music. I even wrote one a song that is fifteen minutes of just flute and strings. As much as I like upbeat music like jazz, funk and fusion, all that I need is something very simple to get myself into prayer mode and to connect with God. That’s how I escape. Sometimes I just call a friend and ask “can we just talk?" It’s amazing what happens when you express yourself. Once you verbalize the experience or what's challenging you in life to a true friend it loses it’s power.
Bridgid: There are some songs that are just so comforting and powerful lyrically that they seem to be speaking to you personally at just the right time. It's the type of song one can just listen to repeatedly. Is there one particular song that you listen to?
Joyce: There is one song I wrote called “Sweet Dreams” from my album of the same name. I have a list of music that I prefer without vocals. To have soft songs without words to them helps me settle down. For example, “The Rose of Sharon” on my “Many Colors” album is the type of music I resolve to. It doesn’t have any kind of percussion or drums to it. It’s soothing. I guess you can say I’m an artist that goes from one extreme to the other. I’ll write a song that has a whole lot of instrumentation with drum kicks and high hats. Then I’ll write another. “Sweet dreams” from my first album has drums but I didn’t want it to be rhythmic. I wanted dynamics, accents, crescendos and decrescendos. It was so beautiful the way it was done.
Bridgid: What is your favorite song to perform?
Joyce: My original song “I See You” also from my "Many Colors" album is my favorite. The reason is that I used to work in corporate America for years. I found it to be very frustrating. So I quit corporate and became more involved in church and the music ministry. I found out that same spirit that is in corporate America was also in the church. When you love the Lord you go to church to assemble with others. When you experience the abuse of power and other things like getting hit on by the pastor etc, it puts a bitter taste in your mouth whether it happens to you or someone you know. I know so many people who no longer go to church because of that . It’s major turn off.
It’s simply church abuse when you violate a rule that is not written anywhere, especially not in the bible. It’s one thing to make an honest error because you were trying to do your best. But it’s another thing to know from the beginning that you were never going to be truthful. People can see through that. So I wrote “I See You.” One line of lyrics says ”your sharp three- piece suit and shiny shoes, howling like a dog singin down home blues but I see you." That’s why I enjoy singing that song because it’s so therapeutic.
Bridgid: What has been your most memorable audience reaction?
Joyce: When I was playing at a retirement center. I was also playing for the residents and they wanted an encore. I started playing “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. This man raised his hands in the air as if he was praising God in church. The staff came in and started dancing and he joined in. He was so happy, laughing and twirling around in his wheelchair. Everyone was getting a kick of him being so happy. To see what music does to people is so inspiring. After I played there he was but he could not speak. He was signaling to my husband to come to him. I went over, hugged him and leaned over to take a picture with him because he was in a wheelchair. That's when I saw the tear coming from his eye. To imagine what that meant to somebody! That’s being a servant!
Bridgid: The audience is totally into your performances and it shows. It’s contagious! Everybody stays pumped up and into it. I’ve been in audiences where it seemed more like a funeral. Does the energy of the audience affect you in any way?
Joyce: That’s okay. I give my best. Everybody responds differently so I just keep the atmosphere. I never underestimate or judge the audience by the way they react. It’s like the song “Mr. Magic” by Grover Washington. Many musicians had stopped playing that song because it was being covered too much. So I decided I wasn’t going to perform that song ever again either. Suddenly, it was like I had a tap on the shoulder by God that said “it is not about you.” If the audience loves “Mr. Magic" I’m going to play it. I had to realize that we were being arrogant. The audience wants to hear it and that’s what I’m here for.
I do what flows. I don’t want t be mechanical on the stage. If I were acting it would show. What works for someone else may not work for me. If it’s not comfortable I don’t do it. I like engaging people. That’s me!
Bridgid: With all of the universal turmoil, atrocities and chaos, if given a chance where would you go and what would you change?
Coffee Talk Magazine - Front Cover Feature
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Joyce Spencer
Featured Artist
As an award-winning saxophonist, flutist and vocalist from Dallas, TX,
oyce covers the gamut of musical influence, style and genre from traditional to contemporary jazz and classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. The mixing and blending of mu- sical styles in her upbringing is definitely her forte and an asset
to writing music and entertainment. Whether it’s upbeat music or sultry
smooth jazz or ballads, Joyce provides sensational musical entertainment on saxophone (soprano, alto, and tenor), flute and vocals that caters to the fans or venue.
Saxophonist
JOYCE SPENCER
New Album “Many Colors”
Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education where she also studied saxophone and flute, classical
and jazz, theater, and radio and TV broadcasting. She also participated in the college choir, stage plays, and musicals. After a brief period with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra on flute, Joyce moved from Louisiana to Texas where her career shifted to corporate America; however, she returned with sheer determination over seven years ago with her first album, “Sweet Dreams”, and has since released several more projects, including the latest jazz album. “Many Colors”, “It’s Christmas Time” and other singles releases like “Cherish” and “Sax-O-Phunk”.
She has graced the stage of many music festivals, concert venues, and corporate shows in the United States, but radio stations all over the world are playing her music. Radio stations have honored her with awards and special recognitions such as the GHP Radio Music Award, Sound Fusion Radio Song of the Week, Ssassy Radio Top 20, etc. along with several special features with radio stations like The Jazz Oasis, Coffee Talk Jazz, Jazzy100 and Amazing Smooth and Jazz Radio.
In addition, David McLorren featured Joyce as the lead soloist in two tracks on his Grammy consideration album, “Life Happens”. Other notable awards and nominations are the Black Women in Jazz Female Saxophonist of the Year, GHP Radio Virtual Music Award for Best Groove Featuring Sax, NAACP Music Award (Garland), Coffee Talk Jazz Radio “Heart & Soul Instrumental” Award, ASCAPLUS Awards Panel Recognition and the Akedemia Award for best funk song (Many Colors). South Florida Gospel Music Awards, Best Female Jazz Flutist and Best Producer/Arranger/Composer by Black Women in Jazz and Fine Arts also nominated her Best Female Artist.
When Joyce is not performing, she is hard at work on her next project, collaborating with other independent artists or co-hosting on GHP Radio, “The Indie Live Spot”.
CONNECT JOYCE SPENCER
www.joycespencermusic.com
Coping With COVID
A Musical Journey of Healing
“Cherish” A Musical Dedication
As we approach another year of the pandemic whirlwind, we continue to face challenges like social distancing or limited
contacts, restricted air travel and lodging, various cancellations, anxiety, and the feeling of boredom and isolation. However, the greatest challenge
in my life has been dealing with the death of my mother from COVID-19 when we weren’t even allowed to be by her bedside due to the heavy hospital restrictions at that time. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine my mom’s last breath being this way. My siblings and I took it for granted that we would be by her bedside, just like our father when he passed away. This certainly added fuel to the fire of grief, but of course, we persevered. When two more relatives (father and daughter) lost their lives to COVID months later, I was triggered again and again. But, thank God for music! I released
a track, “Cherish”, honoring and cherishing the memories of my mother in 2021. When I shared my story at a BBA Yacht Club performance, Jesse Johnson said we need a video, and the rest is history. I hope this video will bring some comfort to everyone who has lost a loved one to covid.
Q&A With Joyce Spencer
Q. If you can have steaming hot Coffee with any musicians past or present, who would it be and why? It would be with Eddie Harris and living
legends like Vi Redd and Frankie Beverly.
If I had the opportunity to have coffee with a
legend who is no longer with us, it would be Eddie Harris. He was a phenomenal musician and composer who pushed the envelope of jazz constantly. He also added some humor to this recordings as well, which I thought was awesome.
He seemed to be free to create anything from the more traditional style of jazz and crossing over to a mixture of jazz and funk. Furthermore, he had success in charting in both jazz and R&B. I love that freedom. I would ask him a load of questions
about how he evolved in terms of composing music.
I see Vi Redd as one of the originators of women in jazz. I think she is one of the most under
rated jazz musicians and, in my humble opinion, should have had more recordings; however,
I’m intrigued that she was also an educator and would like to know more about that. She is as
great a singer as a saxophonist. I want to know what it was like having a father who was a jazz/ blues musician and share stories about the
struggles of a professional female saxophone player. Also, I would like her view of women in jazz today. I think she would really understand our struggle as women in jazz and would offer “motherly wisdom”.
Another living legend would be Frankie Beverly. I feel like I was born listening to Frankie Beverly and Maze, and they are still as powerful and influential today as they were when they released their first album in 1977. It doesn’t matter how many times you hear their music, it is still fresh and powerful, with continued sell out performances. They have proven that success is not just on the billboard.
John Coltrane, Eddie Harris, Ronnie Laws, Grover Washington, Hubert Laws, Gerald Albright, Sade