Joy Wilson - Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/Kazooist
"She's f#$%-ing brilliant!"
-Michael Gaiman, L.A. Mission Control
Joy Wilson is a recording artist with three albums under her belt, each on her own independent label, Yu Go Girl Records. Her most recent release, In the Meantime, was mastered by Grammy Award winning producer, David Glasser and produced by the incredible experienced ear of Scott "Scooter" Smith.
Joy has performed in a wide range of venues including New York City's famous songwriter's joint the Sidewalk Café, a formal theatre setting opening up for Maria Muldaur (Midnight at the Oasis), at the annual National Songwriter's Expo as a two-time showcase finalist, at the Daisychain Music Fair (the largest Pacific Northwest gathering of female fronted acts), at the Taste of Denver, at The Bite of Portland, at the Rose Garden Coliseum as a half-time act for the WNBA, and as an opening act for Steppenwolf, Foghat, and Blue Oyster Cult at a rowdy outdoor summer festival. Joy was even asked to tour with Jefferson Airplane sitting in for all of Grace Slick’s vocals!
Whether she's busking in the NYC subway, raging with her band in lively bars, or behaving herself on live public radio shows, Joy Wilson continually mesmerizes audiences with her imagery and clever lyrics. Armed with her beautiful voice, frank, vivid, thought-provoking lyrics, natural stage presence, and her witty soul-folk style, she never fails to connect with a crowd.
Joy's fanbase includes Putumayo World Music executives, Michael Gaiman of L.A. Mission Control (boasting such projects as Jazz is Dead, Robbie Kreiger of the Doors and Jefferson Airplane/Starship), as well as Jeff Fellers of GIG Magazine, but namedropping isn't going to win you over… Joy's music will do that on its own merit.
Jeff Gadette AKA: HOS - Bassist/Guitarist
Jeff is a recent transplant from Utah. Thanks to the miracle of the world wide web, Jeff joined forces with the JWB via email prior to his physical arrival in Portland in the summer of 2004.
Jeff has been playing bass and guitar in rock and metal bands for over 25 years. Jeff's bass influences include John Paul Jones, Doug Pinnick (King's X), and Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash). He was a founding member of Mocha Joe, one of the most popular classic rock bands still performing in Salt Lake City today. He also played with the SLC metal band, Vermin. During his 5-year stay in Los Angeles, Jeff played with various groups including the Deep Purple tribute band, Made In Japan, and the hard rock cover band, Sonic Circus. During his 1-year stay in Raleigh, North Carolina, he was a founding member of the rock group, Maximus.
Jeff is clearly versatile in his ability to assimilate to different environments, both geographically and musically. Armed with a harder edge, Jeff is combining efforts with Joy's softer side... and the middle ground is perfect.
Brud Giles - Drummer
Brud met Joy on the sidewalk of NW 23rd Ave in Portland, Oregon while she was busking. He heard her voice from down the street and thought "Wow, she doesn't suck." A few years later, after changes to their current bands, they teamed up to reinvent the Joy Wilson Band.
Brud started late on the drums (20 years old) but has been going almost non-stop ever since. Influenced by more musical drummers (Starr, Copeland, Fishman), rather than flashy technically minded players (the Neal Pearts of the world), Brud's style is mature and song oriented. You won't hear a solo, but your feet will be moving to the solid Backbeat.
Moving to Portland from Evanston, IL in the fall of 1995 he's been in a number of different bands on the west coast. From folk, to new age, to rock, to funk, his experiences helped him to grow musically. To him it's not about HOW MUCH you play in a song, the trick is playing the right thing at the right time.
Jason Barlow - Lead Guitarist/Fiddler
When most kids were learning how to ride a two-wheeler, Jason was busy learning instruments. As a child prodigy he won national music ranks, but don't expect to hear that from the oh-so-humble, Jason. (Joy got that information from his mother). He continues to place in top rankings in fiddle competitions.
Jason has shared the stage with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Joan Baez, and Little Feat. To add to his bragging rights, he's even toured the United Kingdom with Warner Brothers' country artist, Joni Harms.
Jason is the longest standing JWB member. Either Joy is impossible to get along with or Jason is just very loyal. Joy likes to think the latter. Jason oozes talent and steals the show with his musicianship. On several occasions, Joy has threatened to change the band name to the Jason Barlow Band. He's amazing.