Joan Armatrading

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Joan Armatrading's Bio: Three times Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, JOAN ARMATRADING has come a long way since her birth in the West Indies and her upbringing in Birmingham. With 19 stunning albums to her credit and a new album due for release on the 8th March 2010, Joan’s subtle and sublime music has touched millions of people all over the world.

Known as a true craftsman, her distinctive vocals and consummate musicianship – she has arranged as well as played every instrument, with the exception of drums on her forthcoming album – have led to unanimous, widespread and, perhaps most importantly, consistent critical acclaim. Effortlessly eclectic, her sound has ranged from true soul to sophisticated pop driven by her passionate guitar.

In musical terms Joan Armatrading has achieved far more than most performers even dream of - she has constantly played, with some of the finest musicians around. She has received countless gold, platinum and silver discs, she has been nominated for the Brit Award she has been the recipient of a highly coveted Ivor Novello Award, and figured large in VH1’s Top 100 voted poll The Most Influential Woman In Rock…..
But more than that Joan has been honored by the Queen and is one of the few female artists ever to receive an MBE.

She stood down as President in 2009, after five years, of the highly prestigious Women of the Year Lunch. This sees women from all walks of life honored for their unique and often truly heroic contribution to modern day life, whether it be in art, science, politics, business or in the humanitarian arena. This was a role she took extremely seriously and one she is justly proud of her achievements in the organization, during this period.

In 2008, one month from her 58th birthday, Joan ran her first marathon. She ran the New York marathon of 26.24 miles and helped to raise $76,000 for the Women of the Year Foundation.

In addition, she has performed for Nelson Mandela, been given the keys to Sydney, is Patron of various charities, has presented and continues to present BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 series.

As well as the Honorary DLitt degree she was given by the John Moores University of Liverpool (2000), Joan has also received a Doctorate in Music from the University of Birmingham (12th December 2002), been made an Honorary Fellow of Northampton University (14th November 2003) received an Honorary degree from Aston University in 2006 and on the 25th of June 2008 Joan received an Honorary Degree from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Moreover, after five years of committed studying, Joan achieved a goal she had held since childhood, she gained her BA Honors after 5 years of studying history from the Open University – a feat very few other working artists would attempt, let alone while on tour (she took her final exam the day after the last gig of her 2000 dates).

Joan Armatrading’s dedication to her studies while consistently producing wonderful uplifting music says much about the woman, her vision and her commitment to excellence.

Born in St Kitts in the West Indies on December 9th 1950 and moving to England when she was seven, she took her first musical steps on her mother’s piano. Although her father had a guitar it was strictly out of bounds so when Joan saw one for $3 in a pawn shop window she pestered her mother to barter two old prams they no longer used. She taught herself to play and began writing songs at the age of 14. … Read more