Jackiem Joyner

Jackiem Joyner
Background information
Birth name Jackiem Charvez Joyner
Born (1980-02-09) February 9, 1980
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Genres Jazz, rock, funk, gospel
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Saxophone, flute
Labels Mack Avenue
Associated acts Keiko Matsui
Website www.jackiemjoyner.com

Jackiem Joyner (born February 9, 1980), also known by the stage name Lil Man Soul is a saxophonist and flute player from Norfolk, Virginia. He has worked in contemporary jazz, gospel and world music.

Biography

Born in 1980 in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Dianne Joyner Barnes and Jackie Charles Ray Smith. Joyner inherited some of his musical gifts from his professional bass player father, Jackie Charles Smith. Joyner grew up in a Christian household while developing most of his musical sensibilities from singing in the church choir and playing drums behind uptempo gospel songs.

After moving further north, Jackie began playing saxophone while attending Fowler High School in Syracuse, New York under the leadership of his music teacher and mentor Lou Adams. He decided to compete in the NAACP's youth achievement program "ACT-SO" (geared towards African Americans demonstrating academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise) representing the city of Syracuse and won the state competition three years in a row in three different categories: instrumental contemporary, composition and classical music.

Sterling Middle School, Virginia 2011: Jackie Joyner Musicians Clinic.

After high school, he moved back to Virginia, where Bishop Michael Patterson of the World Harvest Outreach Ministries in Newport News made him head of the music department. Joyner not only sharpened his keyboard and production skills in this capacity, he also had a chance to play for audiences in Nigeria, Sudan and Kenya on a missionary trip in 2002.

At the young age of 21, Jackie became the saxman for Marcus Johnson. While playing with the keyboardist from 2001–2004, Joyner also had the unique opportunities to play the national anthem for a Bulls-Wizards game at Washington D.C.'s MCI Center, perform with Three Keys legendary artists Bobby Lyle and be featured at such events as the Bermuda Jazz Festival. R&B singer Angela Bofill was also on the bill in Bermuda, and it was she who suggested that Joyner participate in the 30-city tour with Ronnie Laws, Jean Carne and herself in 2003. Other artists Joyner has opened for over the years include George Duke, Najee (a true inspiration of Joyner's on both sax and flute), Phil Perry and India.Arie.

Jackie married wife Lola Joyner in December 2003 then relocated to Los Angeles, CA to try his hand in music and further his career. In 2006, he was signed to Artizen Music Group founded by Trumpeter Rick Braun and Saxophonist Richard Elliott. In 2007, under the Artizen Record Label Jackie released his debut album "BabySoul". The first single "Stay With Me tonight" featured guitarist Peter White and reached #17 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts.

In 2008, Jackie Joyner was featured on the cover of BMG magazine as his career began to blossom.

At the beginning of 2009, Artizen Music Group was bought out by a larger record company called Mack Avenue Records which also acquired several other smaller labels. Joyner went on to release his sophomore album "Lil Man Soul" under Artistry Music a contemporary jazz subdivision of Mack Avenue Records.

His first single "I'm Waiting For You" was an instant No.1 hit on the Billboards Contemporary Jazz Chart. it remained at the number one spot for 12 straight weeks. "I'm Waiting For You" went on to become the No.2 song of the year on the billboard charts and was also nominated for Song Of The year in 2010 at the American Smooth Jazz Awards. The second single entitled "Take Me there" was released early 2010 and also went to the No.1 spot on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts and remained there for 6 weeks straight.

As of 2010, his current project is self-titled Joyner Joyner, a funk/pop/groove mix including musician Paul Jackson Jr on guitar and Kayta Matsuno on acoustic and electric guitar. The first single "Dance With Me" reached No.3 on the Billboards Contemporary Jazz Charts while the second single "Push" peaked at No.2 on the Billboards Contemporary Jazz Charts.

Also in 2010, Joyner was presented with The Keys To The City by Mayor Stephanie Miner of Syracuse NY for Outstanding Achievement in Music along with a Proclamation of August 5, 2010 as "Joyner Joyner Day".

Joyner has also been on tour with a notable jazz pianist, Keiko Matsui from Tokyo, Japan. Keiko Matsui has released more than twenty albums in the United States alone. In touring with his own band and sometimes with Keiko, he has performed in many jazz clubs, jazz festivals, theaters and philharmonic halls sometimes with up to a 50- to 100-piece orchestra. He has performed in many countries including Germany, South Africa, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Azerbaijan and more.

Discography

Solo

As guest

Awards and honors

References

    External links

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