Art&Network | Joy Guidry

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Joy Guidry

Radical self-love, compassion, laughter, and the drive to amplify Black artmakers and noisemakers comprise the core of bassoonist and composer Joy Guidry’s work. Their performances have been hailed by The San Diego Tribune as “lyrical and haunting…hair-raising and unsettling.” Joy was born on October 12th, 1995 in Houston, Texas, into a creative family that played a big part in who they’ve become today.

Joy holds a bachelor’s degree in Bassoon Performance from the Peabody Conservatory and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Mannes School of Music. They have presented their original work at The Kitchen, Redcat, and have collaborated with the Dance Centre Kenya Ballet Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Alarm Will Sound. They have been commissioned by The National Sawdust, Long Beach Opera, JACK Quartet, and the I&I Foundation. They have been featured in prestigious festivals, including the La Biennale di Venezia, A’LARME Festival, Cologne Jazz Week, Spoleto Festival USA, and many more. In addition, Joy Guidry is the winner of the 2021 Berlin Prize for Young Artists. Joy Is currently playing on a Heckel Bassoon number 6101.

All Ph. Nykelle Devivo

Projects

Joy Guidry Trio

Joy Guidry (bassoon & electronics) NYC
Scott Li (Synth & electronics) NYC
Jessie Cox (drums) NYC

Amen

Joy Guidry (bassoon & electronics)
Scott Li (Synth & electronics) NYC

In AMEN, there is a lot of experimentation with different forms of southern Black American music. I wanted to lean heavily on my Texas, Louisiana, and Creole roots in this project. There were many days spent with my ancestors during the writing of this album, and I’m eternally grateful for the music they sang to me during our time together.. Seeing everything I have in my life, all I can do is throw my hands in the air and ask for my God’s protection. I give up the want for control, throw my hands in the air, and yell Amen, Amen, Amen! I yell this to the heavens, the universe, and my family that has crossed to the ancestral land.

Much love,
Joy

This performance was shot by Calethia DeConto

This May, Joy Guidry returns with AMEN, a brand new full-length album which represents both a continuation of these prior themes and an evolution of their sound. Again released via Whited Sepulchre, the record boasts the newly prominent influence of gospel and spiritual jazz, though the affirming release of such styles is balanced the ambient calm introduced on ‘Almost There’ (varioussmallflames.co.uk)

Radical Acceptance

“Radical Acceptance is a personal practice that has evolved in my life over the past year. This doesn’t mean there aren’t still tough times, but times of warmth and comfort are much more present these days. I will never be able to change my past, the things that hurt me, but I can live in a peaceful and beautiful life of my own creation. The most important thing I’ve had to teach myself is that there is nothing wrong with my body or my brain. Learning to love my whole self unconditionally will be a lifelong journey, but I am just so happy to be where I am today. This is my radical acceptance.”

(Joy Guidry)

Bassoon player and sound collagist Joy Guidry learned about the concept of radical acceptance—where one honors their whole self, imperfections and all—in therapy, where they also began to process some of their questions about body image, queer community, mental health, and gender identity. On February’s Radical Acceptance, the interdisciplinary artist pulls together spoken-word pieces with quivering electronic soundscapes, freeform woodwind blasts, and rich rhythmic spirals. It’s an intense, vulnerable work that demands equally thoughtful attention and engagement.

(Allison Hussey, Pitchfork)