Joni Stone
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Joni's Background
Joni was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Early in her career, between recording radio and TV ad tracks for brands such as Honda, Buick and AT&T, Joni sharpened her craft with a rigorous gig schedule from the East to the West coast of America - often featured as the lead vocalist with Big Bands such as the Dorsey Brothers Band. After several years, Joni found a way to stop travelling and be able to sing 6 days a week by opening and fronting her own two-hour dinner dancing show 'Stardust Melodies' in Branson, Missouri. Joni then joined The Yakov Smirnoff Show for three years as a featured vocalist at the 4000-seat Grand Palace Theatre, also in Branson.

London
After Branson, Joni headed to London, and quickly rose to be featured on the jazz circuit there, working with bass player Alec Dankworth, drummer Mike Bradley, guitarist Phil Robson and piano players Ukie Hart and Steven Rose. Playing in clubs such as the Kitsch Lounge Riot at the Cafe 'de Paris, she became known as a rising star in the UK - she was featured in Red Magazine on a compilation CD, and touted in the magazine as one of the brightest new MOR & Easy Jazz stars of our time. She also topped the jazz charts on peoplesound.com for three straight months with her rendition of "All The Way," the beautifully written ballad by VanHeusen and Cahn.
Joni topped the jazz charts on peoplesound.com in the UK for three straight months!

The website's visitors say it best:

"Joni sings with honest conviction. Her timbre is the colour of honey. Her pulse is in time with perfection. Her pitch as perfect as a minor seventh heaven. I've been stoned!"

"Sitting in front of roaring fire and this voice is smoother than the red wine we are drinking."

"Just a lovely voice that takes you away from the madness and stress of the day. Keep making the mad days drift away. Thank you for taking the time to make great music sound so warm."

"The emotional intensity that Joni puts into the words she sings is very memorable; it is clear she really has lived many of the words she sings."

peoplesound UK site

"I received the new CDR and I must say that I think it is a wonderful production-great singing, great charts, great playing and great sound. Congratulations to both of you on a great job." Alan Bates, Candid Records

New York
Joni then returned to the U.S. to complete her new album in New York with Producer, Arranger John Oddo. John Oddo was musical director for Rosemary Clooney's last 17 albums including numerous tours and performances.

The new album, simply entitled "Joni Stone" and recorded at Clinton Studios in New York and George Martin's Air Studios in London, is a celebration of great music from legendary writers including Sammy Cahn, Jimmy VanHusen, Ira Gershwin, Jule Styne & Cole Porter.

"Joni is a true 'artist' for our time," said John Oddo. "I believe Joni will be recognized as a true, bona fide interpreter of American classic popular songs...her unique, pure sound, super pitch and obvious true love and understanding for this wonderful music comes across in everything she sings - it's a combination sure to shoot her into the spotlight."

The list of musicians on Joni's new album reads like a 'Who's Who' in the New York jazz world, including the incredible bass playing of Jay Leonhart, the powerful piano performances of John Oddo and the best of the best on strings and horns.

In keeping with Joni's dedication to the finest, purest renditions of these great songs, Joni recorded this album "live" in the studio. From the small combo to the full orchestra, the musicians were playing together as if it were a live performance. With this caliber of musicianship, and Mr. Oddo at the helm, it took only a few takes, sometimes just one, to put down a final track of each song. It's a rare endeavor these days but so worthwhile.