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Joyce Cobb Performs For Memphis Public
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Joyce Cobb


Memphis Legend Joyce Cobb

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! And she cultivates one of the deepest song lists you'll ever listen to - everything from jazz to blues, standards to pop, r&b to country, and even some "scattin'" and reggae thrown in for good measure. Joyce is a master at reading the audience, leading it, engaging it, playing to it! Any setting, any scene, any occassion.

Joyce Cobb is one of the few entertainers you'll ever hear who can 'hop-scotch' from one musical genre to the next - sometimes a selection from completely across the musical spectrum from the last song she played, sometimes adjacent; it doesn't really matter. Joyce performs them all with the expertise and command that only come from knowing her craft, and having the heart to perform it...well.

Although most know Joyce by her legendary vocal stylings, she's had her own radio show for years, (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!) had one of the first clubs on Beale Street in the 'new' era, and has been a solid staple, mentor, first class representative, and major contributor to the legacy of Memphis Music - and a quality role model for anyone to look up to. As far as Memphis Bands, Memphis Music, and Memphis Entertainment are concerned, there is none better than Joyce Cobb! She would be any EDITOR'S PICK!

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!


.....for Event or Booking Information contact:
    Heidi Smith, Special Events Coordinator
    901.861.0500
    Service@MemphisSound.com

JOYCE COBB'S Partial Songlist

  • A Song for You (Jim Webb)
  • My Girl (Temptations)
  • Celebration (Kool & the Gang)
  • Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)
  • Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Fats Waller)
  • As Time Goes By (Dooley Wilson)
  • Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson)
  • Soul Man (Sam & Dave)
  • Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
  • Beast of Burden (Rolling Stones)
  • Blue Bayou (Linda Ronstadt)
  • Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis Presley)
  • Sweet Soul Music (Arthur Conley)
  • Down Home Blues (Z.Z. Hill)
  • Broadway (The Drifters)
  • Can’t Stand the Rain (Ann Peebles)
  • Chicago (Frank Sinatra)
  • Chain of Fools (Aretha Franklin)
  • Come Together (Beatles)
  • Constant Craving (kd lang)
  • Three Times a Lady (Lionel Richie)
  • Crazy (Patsy Cline)
  • Every Breath You Take (Police)
  • Always on My Mind (Willie Nelson)
  • Fever (Madonna/Peggy Lee)
  • Gee Whiz (Carla Thomas)
  • Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman)
  • Memphis, Tennessee (Chuck Berry)
  • Georgia (Ray Charles)
  • Good Morning Heartache (Billie Holiday)
  • Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis)
  • Harvest Moon (Neil Young)
  • Hey Goodlookin’ (Hank Williams)
  • Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley)
  • How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
  • When a Man Loves a Woman (Percy Sledge)
  • New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
  • I Believe I Can Fly (R. Kelley)
  • I Fall to Pieces (Patsy Cline)
  • I Feel Good (James Brown)
  • Knock On Wood (Otis Clay)
  • For Once in My Life (Stevie Wonder)
  • I Thank You (Sam & Dave)
  • Misty (Earl Garner)
  • I Just Want to Fly (Sugar Ray)
  • I’d Rather Go Blind (Etta James)
  • Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
  • When Something Is Wrong (Sam & Dave)
  • Shout (Isley Brothers)
  • I’ll Be Around (The O’Jays)
  • I’ll Tumble for You (Culture Club)
  • I’m So Lonesome (Hank Williams)
  • Yesterday (Beatles)
  • Is This Love (Bob Marley)
  • It Don’t Mean a Thing (Ella Fitzgerald)
  • It Had to be You (Ray Coniff)
  • Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
  • Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett)
  • Love & Happiness (Al Green)
  • 634-5789 (Wilson Pickett)
  • Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack)
  • Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
  • Leave Your Light On (Santana)
  • Let’s Stay Together (Al Green)
  • Twist (Chubby Checker)
  • Like I Do (Melissa Ethridge)
  • Hound Dog (Elvis)
  • Jailhouse Rock (Elvis)
  • Love Your Ways (Peter Frampton)
  • Dr. Feelgood (Aretha Franklin)
  • Low Rider (War)
  • It’s Your Thang (Isley Brothers)
  • Mambo #5 (Lou Bega)
  • Midnight Hour (Sam & Dave)
  • Memphis in June (Nina Simone)
  • Minnie the Moocher (Cab Calloway)
  • Mood Indigo (Duke Ellington)
  • Walking the Dog (Rufus Thomas)
  • Moon Dance (Van Morrison)
  • Kansas City (standard)
  • Memphis/Beale St. Blues (W.C. Handy)
  • Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin)
  • Old Man River (standard)
  • My Funny Valentine (Sarah Vaughn)
  • Ooh Baby Baby (Smokey Robinson)
  • Possessions (Sarah McLaughlin)
  • Never Make a Move Too Soon (B.B. King)
  • Proud Mary (Tina Turner)
  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Aretha Franklin)
  • Nobody’s Business (Bessie Smith)
  • Brown-Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
  • Rock Me Baby (Willie Dixon)
  • Rockin’ Pneumonia (The Coasters)
  • The Thrill Is Gone (B.B. King)
  • Rocky Top (standard)
  • Respect Yourself (Staple Singers)
  • Roll the Dice (Delbert McClinton)
  • Satin Doll (standard)
  • Love Sneakin’ Up On You (Bonnie Rait)
  • Slowhand (Pointer Sisters)
  • Spoonful (Howlin’ Wolf)
  • Steal Away (Johnny Taylor)
  • Still the One (Shania Twain)
  • Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley)
  • Sweet Dreams (Patsy Cline)
  • Sweet Georgia Brown (Ray Charles)
  • Sweet Love (Anita Baker)
  • Sweet Home Chicago (Z.Z. Hill)
  • Tell Mama (Etta James)
  • The Rose (Bette Midler)
  • Take Me to the River (Al Green)
  • Wonder of You (Elvis Presley)
  • Unforgettable (Natalie Cole)
  • Time after Time (Cyndi Lauper)
  • Walking in Memphis (Mark Cohen)
  • Watch Your Step (Anita Baker)
  • Wang Dang Doodle (Koko Taylor)
  • You Gotta Be (Des’ree)
  • You Send Me (Sam Cooke)
  • You’ve Changed (Billie Holiday)
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.....for Event or Booking Information contact:
    Heidi Smith, Special Events Coordinator
    901.861.0500
    Service@MemphisSound.com