What defines a Legend? It is longevity, an ability to create a unique place in the world, a recognizable brand, creativity, beauty, and long-lasting memories. Well, If those attributes are what a Legend is then Joi Cardwell certainly fits the bill.
With a career that is rooted in Black Music History, storied venues, spectacular pairings, and momentous events, Joi Cardwell stand alone as a vocalist, songwriter, producer, Gay Icon, and maverick who has always walked a path all her own.
Ms. Cardwell’s professional career started at Amateur Night at the Apollo where as a college freshman she won 5 times. From there she claimed her spot in the Pop/R&B Producer Kashif’s (Whitney Houston) girl band “ The Promise” at a cattle call audition and sang her way into an Arista recording contract after one song at the piano by Music Industry Icon Clive Davis. Her chops were honed by background work for Jermaine Jackson, Johnny Kemp, Phyllis Hyman, the Pointer Sisters, LL Cool J, Paula Abdul, and Kashif himself.
Soon after leaving Arista, another fateful audition with Sony recording artist Lil Louis led to the classic album “ Journey with the Lonely” which spawned the Number One records” Club lonely “ and “Saved My life”, along with the flawless “Do U Luv Me” and “Dancing in My sleep” securing Joi’s place on the dance floor for the next 15 years.
As a solo artist, Joi was the center of NY Indie House Label EIGHTball records, where she created Two albums,” The World is full of Trouble” and “Joi Cardwell”, each of whom produced Four singles, an additional Two Number Ones, and Six Top Tens. “Trouble”, “Jump for Joi”, “You got to Pray”, “Run to You”, “Found Love”, “Love and Devotion”, “Soul to Bare”, and “Power “ showed the world that Joi could play with the Big Boys and make them shake it to her very own groove.
With the demise of EIGHTBALL, Joi took control of her publishing and Master catalog and released the nu-soul gems” Deliverance” and “the plain jane project” to let the world know that she had more than one trick up her sleeve. In the same vein, she hooked up with Towa Tei to create a “Luv Connection” and guest starred with The Brooklyn Funk Essentials on “The creator has a master plan” performing at the Worlds finest Jazz festivals including Montreaux, North Sea, and Nice Jazz festivals
As a brand, Joi has successfully aligned herself with powerhouse companies: Reebok, Starbucks, Sony Pictures, Nestlé’s Powerbar, AEI/DMX, NEC Computers, NY & Company, Target/Stars on Ice, Audi, and many others.
Her music has been featured in fashion week shows, “Queer as Folk”, international commercials, film, and television, and has been recorded by other artists internationally such as Towa Tei and Toshi Kubota in Japan, to Czech Idol Martika. She also has appeared in “Godfather of Disco”-Mel Cheren’s Bio-Documentary.
Premier labels have licensed Ms. Cardwell’s songs worldwide, including Kinkysweet, EMI Japan, Electra, SonyBMG, Nervous, Slip and Slide, Warner Music, Ultra Music, Defected, Tommy Boy, Hed Kandi, AVEX, and legendary West End, amongst others.
2010 is here and Ms. Cardwell plans on letting the world know that after two decades of non-stop recording, she has no intention of fading into the sunset. Experience the LEGENDARY MS Cardwell live, or discover her online.
“LEGEND” THE CD/DVD Experience coming Spring 2010
