Jazz Vocalist "Diva JC" Joan Cartwright

Joan Renee Cartwright (born December 7, 1947, in Kew Gardens, New York) is a Jazz and Blues singer, composer, author and educator. She has toured five continents and 15 countries including the United States, eight European countries, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, Gambia, South Africa, the People's Republic of China and Japan, with her swinging brand of jazz and blues. She is known around the world as "Diva JC". Her online radio show MUSICWOMAN TALK RADIO features guests, including women who compose and perform their own music, and discussions about Music and how it activates consciousness, divinity, the senses and improves character.

In 2008, Cartwright initiated an ensemble of WOMEN IN JAZZ with Sandra Kaye (TX) and Cynthia Saunders (FL) that performs a concert/lecture, telling the history of jazz and blues singers and musicians, including Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Mary Lou Williams, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Melba Liston, Alice Coltrane, Marian McPartland, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Betty Carter and Joanne Brackeen. Cartwright's entries about Women in Jazz and Blues are contained in the Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora published in 2008, published by ABC Clio and available at Amazon.com.

Composer and author of the book, In Pursuit Of a Melody, containing 40 songs and lyrics to standard songs: "A Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Blue Bossa" by Kenny Dorham, "Tune Up" by Miles Davis and "Bessie's Blues" by John Coltrane. In November 2008, Joan began a Borders book signing tour. Her second book, Rhythms of the Heart contains poems written since 1977.

Artist-in-Residence for the 2007 Pan African Bookfest in South Florida, Joan teaches two lectures that she's given to over 6,000 children and college students, in the U.S., Switzerland, Sicily, China and Japan: Women in Jazz and So, You Want to be a Singer?. Her workshops are considered dynamic and educational, highlighting the pitfalls and benefits of the music business. She contends that, "Knowing music theory is a step in the right direction for any singer who truly wants to excel in the world of music!"

Known as the "Hip hop Mom of Atlanta", Joan performed "Jazz Meets Hip Hop" in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Italy, France and England. During her 30-year career, Joan has performed with Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Dorothy Donegan, Philly Joe Jones, Shirley Scott, Milt Hinton and hundreds of musicians in the U.S., Europe and Asia, where she toured with Li Yang's Crazy English program, in Beijing, in 2006.

In 2007, Ms. Cartwright incorporated the non-profit organization WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. to promote women musicians locally, nationally and globally, through contacts, articles, interviews, newsletters, events, courses, clinics, workshops, lectures, research, history, archives, websites, film, audio and video recording, concerts, performances and recognition. In 2008, Ms. Cartwright presented her program WOMEN IN JAZZ at York College and she was an honored guest at the Women in Jazz Festival at St. Peter's Church in New York City.

Diva Joan Cartwright has toured five continents and 15 countries including the U.S.A., 8 European countries, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, Gambia, South Africa, China and Japan, with her swinging brand of jazz and blues. She’s performed with Philly Joe Jones, Shirley Scott, Sonny Stitt, Freddie Hubbard, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Dorothy Donegan, Oliver Jackson and hundreds of other musicians, during the course of her career, in the U.S., Europe and Asia!

She is a composer and author. Her book, IN PURSUIT OF A MELODY contains 40 songs and lyrics to standard songs: "A Night in Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Blue Bossa" by Kenny Dorham, "Tune Up" by Miles Davis and "Bessie's Blues" by John Coltrane. (LYRICS)

Joan's book also contains two lectures that she's given to over 5,000 children and college students, in U.S., Switzerland, Sicily, China and Japan: WOMEN IN JAZZ and SO, YOU WANT TO BE A SINGER? Her workshops are dynamic and educational, highlighting the pitfalls and benefits of the music business. She contends that, "Knowing music theory is a step in the right direction for any singer who truly wants to excel in the world of music!"

Diva JC names any ensemble of musicians she works with "Jazz Hotline" because the music swings and it's always HOT! Her most famous Blues are "Nobody's Husband", "OH, Baby!" and "Treat Me Right And You Don't Have To Marry Me".

Visit Joan's websites: www.divajc.com, www.fyicomminc.com and search "Joan Cartwright" on www.cdbaby.com for her two cds, FEELIN' GOOD (Sicily: 1995) and IN PURSUIT OF A MELODY (U.S.A.: 2006)

Joan Cartwright is available for bookings around the world. Her knowledge of music and her professional attitude enables Joan to travel alone and work with professional jazz and blues musicians, wherever she is contracted to perform.

This talented lady is bound to bring a smile to your face with her swinging jazz and blues! Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy her performance when she comes to your side of town!