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Joi Cardwell (born October 8, 1967) is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she performed in various singing competitions as a child and rose to fame in the early 1990s as a guest vocalist for Lil Louis on the number 1 Dance singles "Club Lonely" and "Saved My Life". The release of Cardwell's debut album, The World Is Full of Trouble (1995), established her as a solo artist worldwide and featured the Billboard Dance top-five singles number-one singles "Jump for Joi" and "Love & Devotion". Her second album, Joi Cardwell (1997), spawned the top-charting singles "Soul to Bare", "Run to You", and "Found Love".
In 1999, she released her third album, Deliverance, on her own record label, No-Mad Industries. Her fourth album, The Plain Jane Project (2005), yielded the top-ten singles "Freedom" and "It's Over". She continued to release albums on her recording label including Wanderlust (The Soundtrack) (2009) and Must Be the Music (2011). In 2014, Cardwell resurfaced with her seventh album The Art of Being, which was released on her new recording label Curly Gurly Records.
In 2016, Billboard magazine ranked her at No. 43 amongst the Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists. Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists. Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2017
Cardwell's experience as a vocalist and songwriter turned out to be exactly what Lil Louis had been searching for in a singer. He proved to be an early influence for Cardwell's sound, which melds a new dance beat with a thoughtful lyrical twist. Cardwell creates material that sounds as though she's musing quietly about life while a dancing throng gyrates with joy nearby, and her lyrics are soulful, romantic, and thought-provoking. Shortly after meeting Lil Louis, Cardwell conceived the single "Dancing in My Sleep", and within a week of penning it, she was in Chicago cutting demos and well on her way to a career as a dance-hall diva and R&B songstress. When "Club Lonely" reached the number one mark, Cardwell distanced herself from the Lil Louis project. In 1993, she toured in Japan for eight months as a background singer for Japanese soul singer Toshinobu Kubota. Cardwell gleaned experience from the large overseas tour returned to the U.S. significantly more focused and ready to tackle a solo singing career.
Cardwell's eponymous second solo album Joi Cardwell was released on November 11, 1997, in the US. The album's lead single "Soul to Bare" reached the top five on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. The second international single "Run to You" was a commercial success, reaching number one in the United States. The album also produced two other singles; "Found Love" Joi Cardwell – Found Love. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 and "Power". Joi Cardwell – Power. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 By December 1997, Cardwell had sold a total of over 1.5 million records worldwide. Interview with Joi Cardwell. Music Dish Magazine. Retrieved February 11, 2017 In 1998, Cardwell left Eightball Records. In November 1998, she released a two-disc compilation Clubland's Greatest Hits which features a few club mixes of her earlier singles on Eightball Records. Joi Cardwell – Clubland's Biggest Hits. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017
In September 2003, Cardwell released a compilation album More (1992–2003), which featured unreleased songs and new remixes. Joi Cardwell – More (1992–2003). iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (August 9, 2003). Cardwell Compilation Covers 'More' Ground. Billboard
Her compilation album A Beautiful Life was released on May 7, 2007, in Japan-only. Joi Cardwell – A Beautiful Life. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 The eleven-track album featured a combination of past singles and DJ mixes. On April 7, 2009, she released her fifth album Wanderlust (The Soundtrack). The album spawn the singles "Imperfect", Joi Cardwell – Imperfect. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Happy",
In 2013, she released a single "Love Somebody Else", which earned an IDMA award for "Best House/Garage/Deep House Track of the Year". In September 2014, Cardwell released her seventh album The Art of Being on her own independent recording label Curly Gurly Records. The album spawned the singles "Return to Love", "Feels Like Heaven", "Indian Giver", "Lucky Charm", "Shot through the Heart", and new remix of "Jump 4 Joi".
On October 13, 2017, Cardwell was featured on the track "State of Confusion" from the debut album by DJ and producer Honey Dijon, The Best of Both Worlds. In March 2018, Cardwell released a new version of her single titled "Trouble 2018". Joi Cardwell – Trouble 2018. iTunes Store. Retrieved June 3, 2018 On June 1, 2018, Cardwell released her eighth album "Pride and Joi". Joi Cardwell – Pride and Joi. iTunes Store. Retrieved June 3, 2018 The album contained new remixes of her previous singles.
Cardwell's music is generally House music,Published by Gay & Lesbian Group of the American Musicological Society. (February 17, 1996). GLSG Newsletter for the Gay & Lesbian Study Group of the American Musicological Society. Gay & Lesbian Group of the American Musicological Society
She has received co-writing credits for most of the songs recorded with Lil Louis and her solo efforts. Her songs were personally driven by dance themed compositions like "Run to You" and "You Got to Pray". Cardwell believes that, "Lyrics have to be meaningful and memorable enough that people will insist on keeping the vocals on the tracks."Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 5, 1994). Dance Music Confab Passes in a Twirl of Activity. Billboard
Supporting
/ref> The album spawned the singles "After the Rain" and "If You're Ever Lonely", which were released on her manager's label, Junior Vasquez Music. In 2004, she participated in the Keep Hope Alive Project to benefit LIFEbeat, the music industry AIDS-awareness organization. Cardwell appeared alongside other House music on the song "Keep Hope Alive" and she also co-wrote and recorded a song "Be Yourself", which appear on the Underground Dance Artists United For Life: Keep Hope Alive album. Keep Hope Alive. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017 In 2004, she released her greatest hits album entitled Hits and More.
2005–2010: The Plane Jane Project and Wanderlust (The Soundtrack)
On November 18, 2005, Cardwell released her fourth studio album, The Plain Jane Project. The album features more R&B-styled songs as opposed to her earlier electronic dance and House music records. The album's lead single "Freedom" spent thirteen weeks on the Dance Club Play chart before peaking at number 7. The second single "It's Over" peaked at number 4 on the chart. The album's final single "What It Feels Like" peaked at number 30 on the Dance chart.
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Joi Cardwell – Happy. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "People Make the World Go Round", Joi Cardwell – People Make the World Go Round. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Come Together", Joi Cardwell – Come Together. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Change the World", Joi Cardwell – Change the World. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 and "What's Freedom". Joi Cardwell – What's Freedom. discogs. Retrieved February 7, 2017 Her single "People Make The World Go Round" received an IDMA Awards' nomination for "Best House/Garage Track". IDMA Winners for the year 2008 presented in 2009 . Winter Music Conference. Retrieved February 8, 2017
2010–2015: Must Be the Music and The Art of Being
In June 2010, she released a maxi-single "All Night", which features the original version and various remixes of the song.
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Joi Cardwell – All Night. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 A single "We Got the Night" was released, which featured production and mixing by Chus & Ceballos and DJ Koutarou.A. Joi Cardwell – We Got the Night. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 Caldwell released her sixth album Must Be the Music on March 19, 2011. Joi Cardwell – Must Be the Music. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 In July 2011, she released her original song "How Deep Is Your Love?". Joi Cardwell – How Deep Is Your Love?. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017
2016–present: Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame and retirement from music
In 2016, Cardwell released a single "What Love's Gonna Do". In May 2017, she re-released her business book titled "Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame", "Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame" by Joi Cardwell. Blurb Books. Retrieved June 10, 2017 which was originally released in 2001.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (August 18, 2001). The Art of the Deal. Billboard
/ref> On May 26, 2017, Cardwell announced through her Facebook that she would be retiring from the music industry, following a few more music releases and that she would open a wellness center. Joi Cardwell Facebook Post on May 26, 2017. Facebook. Retrieved June 10, 2017 On June 2, 2017, she released a single called "We Can Do Better". Joi Cardwell — We Can Do Better. In collaboration with DJ Gomi, a maxi-single was released featuring six remixed version of "We Can Do Better".[29]. Traxsource. Retrieved June 10, 2017 On June 16, 2017, Cardwell released another single titled "Days of Our Lives". Joi Cardwell — Days of Our Lives . Urbano Records. Retrieved June 10, 2017
Artistry
Voice and songwriting
Cardwell's voice is a mezzo-soprano despite sometimes being classified as an alto.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 17, 1996). Spreading Joi. Billboard
/ref> Barry Walters of The Advocate highlights her tone and timbre as particularly distinctive, described her voice as "more subtle, more ethereal and seductive."Published by Here Publishing. (December 23, 1997). Sapphic Soul Sister. The Advocate
/ref> Other critics praise her vocal abilities, with Larry Flick of Billboard saying she "proved her potential as a multiformat star with a funk version of "Jump for Joi" that exploded with Ella Fitzgerald-style scatting."Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 4, 1995). Divas Unplugged Icing On Rich 2nd Dance Summit. Billboard
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/ref> but she also incorporates traditional jazz, funk, and blues into her songs.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (July 29, 1995). Album Reviews. Billboard
/ref> Deliverance demonstrated Cardwell's exploration of neo soul, as well as further use of soul and hip hop than compared to previous releases.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (January 15, 2000). Reviews & Previews. Billboard
/ref> While she exclusively releases English songs, Cardwell have performed several Japanese songs for Toshinobu Kubota (as a backup singer during his concert tours for a Japanese audience). To perform them, Cardwell was coached progressively by Kubota.
/ref> She has also received production credits for many of the records in which she has been involved, especially during her solo efforts. As an accomplished pianist, Cardwell incorporates piano into a majority of her songs and often writes about love. She also played a violin, and piano, on the song "Brittany" for Lil Louis' album From the Mind of Lil Louis. Lil' Louis & The World – From the Mind of Lil Louis. discogs. Retrieved February 11, 2017
Influences
Her musical influences included Billie Holiday, Barbra Streisand, and Minnie Riperton. Cardwell credits Ashford and Simpson, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield as her songwriting influences. The Art of Joi Cardwell: EXCLUSIVE Q&A. Dj Buddy Beaverhausen. Retrieved February 11, 2017 Her influences also include Sarah Vaughn and Donna Summer, the latter of whom she has been compared to.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (June 17, 1995). Single Reviews. Billboard
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Business and ventures
Jump for Joi Wellness Center
In 2017, Cardwell announced her plans to open a wellness center. She later earned certifications in yoga, meditation, and as a holistic health coach. About Us . Jump For Joi. Retrieved June 19, 2019 She also trained in trauma informed practices, Modern yoga, and yoga nidra. In 2019, Cardwell opened the Jump for Joi Wellness Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The wellness center offers classes and programs in gentle yoga, asana, yoga nidra, pre-natal yoga, and guided meditation for children.
Discography
Tours
Headlining
Books
Awards and nominations
GLAMA Awards
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|1997
|"You Got to Pray"
|rowspan="2"|Best Dance Song
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|2000
|"Last Chance for Love"
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IDMA Awards
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|2009
|"People Make the World Go Round"
|Best House/Garage Track
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|2013
|"Love Somebody Else"
|Best House/Garage/Deep House Track
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See also
External links
Categories: Www.joicardwell.com Official Website, 1967 Births, 20th-century American Pianists, 20th-century American Women Singers, 20th-century American Singers, 20th-century American Singer-songwriters, 21st-century American Pianists, 21st-century American Women Singers, 21st-century American Singer-songwriters, African-american Activists, 20th-century African-american Women Singers, African-american Women Singer-songwriters, American Women Singer-songwriters, African-american Pianists, American Businesspeople, American Contraltos, American Women Pop Singers, American House Musicians, American Multi-instrumentalists, American Music Arrangers, American Contemporary R&b Singers, American Soul Keyboardists, American Soul Singers, American Women In Electronic Music, American Yoga Teachers, Brooklyn Funk Essentials Members, Aids Activists, Lesbian Songwriters, Lesbian Singers, American Lesbian Musicians, American Lgbtq Songwriters, American Lgbtq Singers, Life Coaches, Living People, American Dance-pop Musicians, 20th-century American Lgbtq People, 21st-century American Lgbtq People, 21st-century African-american Women Singers, 20th-century American Women Pianists, 21st-century American Women Pianists, American Lesbian Writers
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