More about Joy Ike
Born to Nigerian immigrants, independent artist Joy Ike’s music, voice, and writing have drawn comparisons to female musicians such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, and Fiona Apple. But her percussive piano-playing and soaring vocals give homage to her African upbringing. Leaving her career as a publicist in 2008, Ike has since played hundreds of shows across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. She has had the opportunity to share the stage and open for Jeffrey Gaines, Cody Chestnutt, Denison Whitmer, Deas Vail, Butterfly Boucher, Serena Ryder, Tyrone Wells, Najee, Allen Toussaint, and Ken Whitely & The Levy Sisters to name a few. As a singer/songwriter who purposefully refuses to be pigeon-holed into any one specific genre, Ike’s path has consistently taken an “anywhere for anyone” approach playing for intimate audiences in coffeehouse, Universities, house concerts, churches, and small theater settings. A write-up on NPR's All Things Considered says "The depth of subjects she tackles in her poetic lyrics are perfectly complemented by a unique blend of neo-soul, with just the right dash of pop...a truly compelling act to watch in person, with the ability to create an intimate setting in locations big and small." A segment on NPR's World Cafe (December 2013) featured Ike as one of Pennsylvania's up-and-coming artists.