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Joss Stone Profile |
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Birth Date: April 11, 1987
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Birth Place: Dover, Kent, England, UK
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Birth Name: Joscelyn Eve Stoker
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Height: 5'10"
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Biography |
Joss Stone was born on April 11, 1987, in the
pastoral country of Dover, England. She spent her teen years
in the rural town of Devon, where she bought her first
album, Aretha Franklin's Greatest Hits, which inspired her
to become a singer. At the age of 14, she auditioned for a
popular BBC show, Star for a Night.
Therein, Joscelyn thought that she could do better than the
indistinguishable flock of pop star wannabes, who were
mangling the popular classics. Once onstage, the audience
expected another squeaky blonde cutie to sort of entertain
them; but out of this giggly teenager came a vocal
reincarnation of Gladys Knight rolled up with Janis Joplin
and a dash of Dusty Springfield, as she performed Aretha
Franklin's classic "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural
Woman." She was signed to an agent right away.
Anticipating her impending career as a singer, Joscelyn and
her mother, Wendy, changed her name to the catchier and
sultrier Joss Stone. They then flew to New York to meet with
Steve Greenberg, CEO of S-Curve Records (known for
popularizing Hanson and the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs
Out").
Entranced by her soulful power, Greenberg signed her on and
hired Miami soul legend Betty Wright to refine her singing.
Greenberg and Wright teamed her up with a Miami soul dream
team, including guitarist Little Beaver, organist Timmy
Thomas and keyboardist Latimore. In just four days they
recorded a suite of lost soul gems and a cover of The White
Stripes' "Fell In Love With a Girl" (renamed "Fell In Love
With a Boy") with hip-hop heavyweights The Roots.
The result was her debut album, The Soul Sessions, which
came out on September 16, 2003, to the delight of critics
and to the horror or Britney and her candy-pop cohorts.
Joss' mother manages the young diva's shows and tours. In
her very short career, she has performed at such noted
venues as Joe's Pub in New York and The Troubadour in Los
Angeles. She has also appeared on the Late Late Show with
Craig Kilborn, Ellen, and in People magazine. She even
finished a tour in which she opened for Simply Red;
Chicago's House of Blues was among the venues.
Practically a year after her debut release, Joss' followup
album Mind, Body & Soul proved that Joss could take on
original music. Hits like "Right To Be Wrong" and "You Had
Me" enjoyed radio play, and she even contributed to the
Alfie soundtrack in 2004, with the songs "Wicked Time"
(featuring Mick Jagger) and a cover of the title track.
After receiving three nominations at the 2005 Grammys,
including one for Best New Artist, Joss Stone was tapped to
replace Sarah Jessica Parker in the Gap's TV and print ads
for its 2005 summer line. |
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Other
Information |
Took part in the Band Aid 20 re-recording of "Do They Know
It's Christmas?". [14 November 2004]
Supports Liverpool Football Club
Nominated for 3 Grammys: best new artist, Best Female Pop
Vocal Performance ('You Had Me') & Best Pop Vocal Album
(Mind, Body & Soul) (2005) |
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