New Orleans'
own JOYFUL! has been delivering
their own brand of R&B, Gospel and Soul to enthusiastic
audiences all over the world for more than a decade now.
In fact, in Europe alone, they were privileged to visit some
1000 different cities in more than ten (10) countries in
the last several years.
JOYFUL takes their unique gospel
and soul music to more than 50 festivals and clubs there
each year.
The group was formed in 1980 by duo Alfred and Loretta
Caston, along with father and son team, Jessie and Reginal
Veal (currently bass player for Wynton Marsailis' group).
Today JOYFUL! consists of Jessie Veal, Alfred Caston,
Ernest Gulladge, and Ronnie Dents.
At home in New Orleans, JOYFUL plays an integral part
of one of the world's largest music festivals,
The
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Interestingly enough,
it was this festival that became the focal point of the
work they do today as the festival has become a hot spot
for promoters the world over. They also perform at signature
clubs like Tramps (New York), Half Note Jazz Club (Greece),
and Blues House (Milano).
On May 25th 2010 Joyful, along with Joyful Gospel
Choir was called upon to perform a memorial service for
the 11 families that lost loved ones in the oil rig explosion
off our coast. This service was held in Mississippi at
the
Downtown Civic Center. This
event was sponsored by Transocean and endorsed by
President
Obama as well as the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi
and Texas.
JOYFUL! has authored four (4) independent label recordings
with European and American companies. Their biggest chart
songs to-date were two classic re-makes, "
If
I had a Hammer" and "
People
get ready". Since
that time, the group has charted other tunes like: "
Makin'
it thru a Storm" and "
Don't
Leave Me".
Lately, JOYFUL! has been favored on the Hollywood scene
at R&B LIVE, one of California's most prestigious
clubs for the stars. In the early nineties, they became
regulars there, working with the likes of STACY LATISAW,
EARTH, WIND and FIRE, DOUG E. FRESH and others.
Joyful! has played great club venues from New York to
Athens, Greece.
The group features a four vocal set-up with a four-piece
rhythm section. Soul is the main ingredient for this
seven-piece band and they can deliver it in huge proportions.
Some fans complain that they leave the JOYFUL! performances
with hurting hands. Find out why, they're --JOYFUL!
Line-up:
Alfred CASTON -
guitar, voice
Albert MICKEL -
voice
Jan RANDOLPH -
voice
Chandra GRAYSON -
Vocal
Angela DUNN -
keyboard player
Oliver ALCORN -
drummer
Discography
