Born and raised in Salinas, Ca., Effie enjoyed success playing piano and singing in clubs in Northern and Southern California for over 25 years performing under the name, Joy Ferris.She was the favorite student of the late Jeri Southern, the pianist/singer well known for her smoky voice with such hits as You Better Go Now and Fire Down Below. Well known for her work in intimate clubs, Southern knew her way around a lyric and Effie credits Jeri with learning impeccable phrasing. “I’ve had people tell me that they feel as if I am singing right to them. For that, I have Jeri to thankâ€.Although Effie enjoyed playing and singing, she yearned to take center stage. When her beloved teacher passed away in 1991 she was heartbroken. And in 1992, when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she felt as if her song had been silenced. With therapy she learned to "deal with it". " I have MS, it doesn't have me" is her attitude.Effie stayed in the game by studying with well known vocal coach and singer in her own right, Sue Raney from 1995 on, but ultimately avoided getting back in the spotlight – until a fellow singer and friend got so exasperated with her procrastinating and demanded she take a musical performance class. She did and hasn’t looked back. Effie's spirit was rejuvenated and she has been singing at open mics throughout Los Angeles and befriending the crowd at Mundy on Tuesdays, a popular open mic night at the legendary Gardenia. In October 2004 she made her debut at the Gardenia to a standing room-only crowd and again in Nov. 2005.She and dear friend Tom Culver have been writing songs together and their first song “Endlesslyâ€, a gentle bossa nova made the finals in the United Kingdom Songwriting Contest. “We didn’t win but were told that our song shows great promiseâ€. Tom and Effie's songs, Quiet and Forever Didn't Last Til Spring made the semi finals in the UK Songwriting Competition recently.Myspace Graphics
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