My Life
jocelyn B.Smith was born in Queens,New York on the 22nd August 1960.Her parents Joan and Kenneth recognized her passion for music early.Jocelyn started classical music training at the piano with the age of five.
With her basis of over 17yrs.in classical music,there arose a natural instinct to expand and compliment the many and often chartered waters of music´s dictinctions.
Early 80´s jocelyn was invited to tour with Lenny White shortly after his tour with Chick Corea´s "Returm to Forever".Which immediately opened an even wider musical world for her.On this tour she was introduced to Marcus Miller who would leave a great musical effect on her music.
One year later,1982,Jocelyn toured with the band"CHANGE" which opened up for Rick James as he toured the United States.During that tour Jocelyn became friends with Lisa Fischer(who recieved a Grammy for her work which was produced by Luther Vandross.)"CHANGE" was the first "R&B"pop band that exploded on the international charts for the pioneering of the
"synthy bass".Another highlight was singing with Ellen Foley(former Meatloaf)while touring with the Electric Light Orchestra in large stadiums across the USA.
In 1984 during the European "Tribute to the Platters"tour she had her first appearance in Berlin which was her major breakthrough in Germany and would later name her second home.And for her audiences an experience of a special class."Berlin is a large,multicultural city like New York and first of all alive!"her concerts at the Quasimodo (www.Quasimodo.de) include her famous"Live in Berlin" CD recorded live at the Quasimodo. For many fans this has become a classic recording.A dedication of art and musical consciousness.Not only to say but to undoubtedly know the spiritual presence in Jocelyn´s music in this special recording with only 2 weeks before the birth of her first child.
In1999 the the internationally acclaimed composer Heiner Goebbels www.heiner goebbels.de invited Jocelyn to participate as soloist in his work "Surrogate Cities".The opus was played live at the Jahrhunderthalle with the "Bochum Philharmonic Orchestra",2001 in Dessau,2002 in Edinbourg,UK and 2003 in Brisbane Australia for the Biennale as well as Luzern(CH) and Berlin with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle.In 2005 she opened at Venice´s Teatro La Fenice and in 2006 in Stocholm with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra.
In 2001 the Hymn "Amazing Grace"was sung by Jocelyn 14.09.2001 for the mourning demonstration of 200.000 at Berlin´s Brandenburg Gate for the victims and families of 9/11.
In 1999 while performing with Germany´s Sinatra Harold Juhnke on his farewell tour,Jocelyn and Harold were confronted with cultural views of skepticism between Jazz and german text.What was a result for the national press and national T.V. an explosive success.Again for Jocelyn another challenge for her.Achievement as her instinct never misses the beat,celebration was her´s with the birth of her 2nd child.
After a meeting with Meastro Mikis Theodarikis internationally known for great works such as "Zorba the Greek" and "Canto General" together developed the idea to work on songs and texts of the greek composer and to translate them into Jocelyn´s language of everexpanding music.The highlight of this recording is the duett in greek and english with the Meastro himself"Der Lindenbaum""Margarita"is this CD and was blessed by Theodorakis as Jocelyn´s discovery of "Greek Gospel".Cheered concerts in Athens with Maria Farantouri and in Delphi follow with George Dalaras in the antique temple of Apollo where the Oracle of Delphi resided.The CD appears 2001:Margarita-Love Songs of Mikis THeodorakis"
For a ficticious meeting of Weill and Gerschwin Jocelyn recieves the Jazz award of the IFPI in the year 2003 for the CD "Blue Nights and Nylons.The FAZ writes" This woman is an entire work of art itself."
Meanwhile as life calls the mother,creativity and deep faith are the engine of various activities.Jocelyn was asked to sing the translated text of Sir Elton John´s " Circle of Life" for Walt Disney´s film "The Lion King"for German speaking countries.
After the success of her special Christmas CD "My Christmas Experience"Dec.2001 "Back To Soul"appeared in 2002.with over 70 concerts the artist toured through the year and in March 2004 produced her second SOUL"OLE SCHOOL" ALBUM:"Phenomenal Woman"a dedication to Maya Angelou´s classic.
With 10 albums already under her own label"BLONDELL PROD."Jocelyn felt the creative pause nearing.After a concert appearance as opener for Bobby McFerrin 2004Jocelyn took the good advice given and (woodshedded)for 1 1/2 yrs.A creative quietness indeed was the engine that fueled her latest release Nov.2006
"EXPRESSIONZZ" DVD/LIVE CD an experience in the Higher Spritual Quality of music.Texted with poems from the "BOOK of PSALMS"taken from the Bible.It is the much debated topic of tradion applied to the person and her/his life today.Critics applaud Jocelyn´s Mystic Jazz (aus und andersetzung)!!!!! of the Journey of The Soul and Ecumenical views that scope the much needed bridging of cul´tural and spritual tolerance.The live taping of "EXPRESSIONZZ"was in Berlin´s"TraenenPalast"Palace of Tears,the former known East Border of entrance for Germans into the DDR.The concert was in honor of the 75th anniversary of ArchBishop Desmond TuTu.Under the patronage of Berlin´s Mayor Klaus Wowereit and as a gift from the "Rainbow Children of Berlin".
For national critics Jocelyn has always taken much space in her texture applied for vocal signature and persona.
In "EXPRESSIONZZ"we now see that this "Mystic Voice"applies personal and authentic character to the conceptual depth of this work.
Jocelyn B. Smith - Any Song
