Her name, Faison, is derived the French verb meaning “to do” or “to make.” An examination of her illustrious career proves that she has lived up to her family name. Ms. Faison’s first love has always been singing. Inspired by the great gospel singers of the African-American tradition, Ms. Faison began singing in her father’s church at the age of four. As she matured Ms. Faison expanded her repertoire to include Jazz, Opera, and various forms of popular music. Her accomplishments as a singer are numerous. She has headlined for such stars as Redd Foxx, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Bill Cosby, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Jerry Butler, Count Basie, Bruce Willis, and Patti LaBelle. Her first solo album “Love Fire” garnered her Billboard’s best New Vocalist as well as a Cash Box pick. Ms. Faison’s vocal talents have taken her far beyond the shores of the states. She has toured Italy performing in a production sponsored by the Italian government. She also has performed multiple extended tours of the Caribbean. Her 2004 schedule included a tour of Europe and Asia. Peaches, as she is fondly referred to, has never been satisfied with a one dimensional approach to self expression. Consequently, throughout her career she has explored several different aspects of her talent. For the past 15 years she has also maintained a very successful voice-over career. She is currently the voice of Jewel foods, Currency Exchange, Budweiser, Blockbuster Video, and Sears. She also has extensive experience as a Disc Jockey working first for WBEE Jazz Radio and later co-hosting WGCI’s morning show. Ms. Faison has also lent her image to various film and television productions including a performance on The Tonight Show, Oprah, a PBS Broadcast of Peter Wolf and the feature film Hoodlum. She also contributed her vocal talents to the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding. Ms. Faison recently attained a great deal of notoriety for her celebrated performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. In her first performance in an Equity stage drama, Peaches managed to win the BTAA Best Actress Award, the African-American Alliance for the Arts Award and the Best Actress in a Musical Award from the Joseph Jefferson committee. In addition to these awards, Ms. Faison received stellar reviews from all the major Chicago newspapers for a performance that drew from both her musical and her dramatic talents. With success in so many areas of artistic expression, Ms. Faison looks forward to expanding and challenging herself in new venues. She brings experience and maturity to her work along with a quest for a new and unique interpretation. |
| Joyce Peaches Faison The Voice |