““It’s easy to hear Ike’s fervor laced throughout
every note and lyric; she’s a fresh breath of air...”
- NPR All Songs Considered”
JOY IKE: Singer / Songwriter / Storyteller
Polished and precise, yet buoyed with an airy grace, Joy Ike paints with a broad palette that defies easy categorization. Born to Nigerian immigrants, the singer/songwriter’s music, voice, and writing have drawn comparisons to female musicians such as Nina Simone, Laura Nyro, and Regina Spektor. But her percussive piano-playing and soaring vocals give homage to her African upbringing.Leaving her career as a publicist in 2008, Joy has spent the last 12 years playing thousands of shows across the country. A write-up on NPR's All Things Considered says "The depth of subjects she tackles in her poetic lyrics are perfectly complemented by a unique blend of neo-soul, with just the right dash of pop...a truly compelling act to watch in person, with the ability to create an intimate setting in locations big and small." READ FULL BIO...NOTABLE PERFORMANCES + VENUES
+ Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
+ Longwood Gardens Summer Residency - Philadelphia, PA
+ Rittenhouse Soundworks - Philadelphia, PA
+ Listening Room Festival - St. Petersburg, FL
+ Culture Care Conference - Los Angeles, CA
+ Three Rivers Arts Festival - Pittsburgh, PA
+ Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Guest Artist - Pittsburgh, PA
+ WITF NPR Harrisburg - Studio Session & Interview
+ Benedum Center for the Performing Arts - Pittsburgh, PA
+ Baltimore Book Festival - Baltimore, MD
+ The Ladybug Music Festival - Wilmington, DE
+ ArtsQuest - Bethlehem, PA'
+ FCNL, Friends Committee on National Legislation - Washington, DC
+ France Tour 2020 w/ Hureau Booking + Management
Storytelling through Song
Joy’s giftedness lies not only in her performance, but in her ability to weave songs into stories that connect listeners from all backgrounds. Her unique storytelling concert style pulls the audience in transforming entertainment into engagement.
Public Speaking
Joy’s background as a former publicist gives her a unique angle and voice. She speaks often on entrepreneurialism, pursuing a career in the arts, social media marketing, pursing dreams, fan engagement, music as activism, and the art of storytelling. Whether she’s speaking to college students, young grade school children, or fellow creatives, her words are captivating, her advice is practical, and her experience is inspiring.
Community Engagement
“I love spending time with young people! Teenagers, small children, children at heart! I love daring people to dream, daring people to thinking outside the box, reminding people that they are ‘bigger than their box’! When I released Bigger Than Your Box two years ago, I had no idea it would turn into opportunities to speak to young people about conquering their fears. I want to remind people they can step outside of the boxes that try to keep them small and hidden. You are in fact BIGGER THAN YOUR BOX!” -Joy
Private & Special Events
“Even with opportunities to play larger events, there’s nothing quite like playing to a room of eager ears and ready hearts. For me these often happen in art galleries, library concert series’, non-traditional spaces, and house concerts (dinner parties in people’s homes). Private and invitation-only listening events transform an ordinary event into a special moment and I love helping hosts make this happen.”
NOW BOOKING:
Spring/Summer Outdoor Concert Series + Music Festivals