I’m in love with sound, honesty, freedom and laughter!

“She sings like she’s on fire and she’s fine with being on fire. She doesn’t want anybody to put her out.” (music producer Thaao Dill).

Joy’s culturally diverse background is reflected in the range of her musical tastes – from rock to country, gospel, jazz and opera. “I’m in love with sound, honesty, freedom and laughter! Rock? Country? Soul? Opera? Jazz? Dubstep? Gombey Riddims by Derek? Reggae? Bring ’em on!”. Joy graduated from Bermuda Institute and attended Oakwood College where she completed a B.M. in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy with Ginger Beasley. She has performed with Kathleen Battle and the Aeolians as well as a rock band in Huntsville Alabama and with The Channel in Bermuda. After placing in the first Bermuda Idol sponsored by Hott 107.5, Ms. Barnum enjoyed a night of Jazz with Adlev Entertainment and the Toni Barry Quartet and with the Toni Barry Quartet for the Fame Reunion.

2003 saw Joy’s recording debut when she contributed to Dill’s Glasshead album – a hip-hop centric instrumental project released through indie hip hop online distributor hiphopinfinity.com. Online audiences made it clear that they wanted to hear more from this fresh and vibrant new voice – a demand which led to an artistic collaboration between the two and the birth in 2004 of Phlegm in Tayo’s Closet – a groovy and eclectic compilation of Joy’s original verses. And Other Places, was rescued from the carnage of a hard drive disaster and released to the public in 2008. 2010 saw the release of her third album – a limited edition vinyl record Joy T. Barnum and the Channel.

She has opened for Yolanda Adams, Seal, and Smokey Norful and was privileged to open for Patti La Belle during Bermuda’s 2005 Music Festival. In 2009, Joy performed with Swedish indie singer Lykke Li. She has participated with Mathew Joseph and Friends at the Bermuda School of Music’s Annual Guitar Festival and in October 2010 she joined Heather Nova on a European tour for “A Special Acoustic Evening” and released her album, “Live at La Cafe de la Danse” in 2011 which was recorded in Paris.

Performances also include making music for charitable events such as with Gary Burgess for the Bermuda School of Music’s Suzuki Violin “Tsunami Relief Concert” and with Milton Repose for the United World College Benefit Concert. She has soloed for the “Spring into the Arts” production hosted by schools within the Department of Education, with The Channel for the Philippine Independence Day and The Center’s Annual street Festival. Joy T. Barnum won the 2006 Underground Music Awards Best Female Vocalist category and went on to perform in both the 2006 and 2007 shows as well as graciously host the 2008 show while opening the night with The Channel. She was also nominated in the Cellular One Roc the Mic competition.

In 2013 and 2014 she was the original female lead singer for the very popular and award winning Bermuda band The Big Chill with Tony Brannon and Felix Tod.

Joy is also an articulate and intelligent poet and was winner of Bermuda’s first national Poetry competition. Her work is published in the island’s first Anthology of poetry.

» Read about Joy on the Bermudians
» Learn about Joy - Vocal Teacher - on the Bermuda School of Music website
» Read "Joy T Barnum: I wanted to be an emergency nurse, blood and all" on BDA Sun
» Read "Jazz, grunge, reggae, opera … Joy offers something for everyone" on the Royal Gazette
» Read about Joy on Bernews
» Read about Joy at the Bermuda National Gallery
» Joy's discography
» Listen to Joy's music here
» Watch Bermudian Poet (Short Film)

BOOKINGS:
Joy: 441-799-1052
Email: bvibe2002@yahoo.com

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