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Kathryn Joy always wanted to be a writer.  But not before age fifty.  She thought she had to live a little before she would have something to say.  What she didn't expect is that the words would pour out of her as music.

 

It is hard to say where she is from. She’s not an army brat, but she’s lived in many places, including southern California, upstate New York, Washington, DC, and Vail, Colorado with many other places in between.  The constant for her over the last thirty years has been a love nest in Paris which she shares with her soulmate.  Ms. Joy has a BA in history and MBA.   She had a Washington, DC based career, retired early, and started songwriting for pleasure. 

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As one can imagine, moving from place to place changes you. You make friends quickly or not at all.  You carry home in your heart. You are enriched by those you invite into your life–some of whom will be your friends forever and your roots when life moves on to the next garden or the next desert.  And you open yourself to God who makes all things possible.

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Ms. Joy’s life as a musician took off when she met Joel Scott, a veteran pianist, who taught her the craft and took her music to a whole new level by introducing her to his friends, who are all highly accomplished, well-known sidemen in Los Angeles.  Great Aunt Ruth & the Saucy Cats began with them.  The band’s music is original, inventive, jazzy, and lyrical. 

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Ms. Joy’s songwriting is strongly influenced by her classical upbringing; her Cuban partner; the jazz and big band music they enjoy together; the rock-and-roll hangover of her childhood; and her world travels.

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Anyone looking for wonder, adventure, and nostalgia will enjoy Ms. Joy’s lyrics, which are an interesting mix of beauty, mischief, good humor, experience, and disarming candor.  She is currently writing a musical.

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Ms. Joy divides her time between Miami Beach and Paris.  

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