Red Hot by Jo Armstead

Chronicle

INTRODUCTION

"Jo Armstead is like a priceless work of art that stays tucked away in some private collection and becomes available for the public to gaze upon its splendor on but rare occasions," wrote one New York critic. The career of this multifaceted lady from Yazoo City, Mississippi, has indeed been to briefly capture public attention in one spectrum of the entertainment world or another and then tuck herself away again in her own private world.

BACKGROUND

The time---October 8, 1944; the place---Yazoo City, Mississippi; the event, a child prodigy named Josephine Armstead is born to Wilton and Rosie Armstead. "Little Josephine" sang gospel music throughout the city. In school, she was awarded scholarships to several colleges for her outstanding achievement as a soloist. She was nick-named "Joshie" due to her quickness and speed as a high school athlete; it stuck and followed her to the stage where she clearly made her mark as a professional. The birth of her daughter Chandra changed her direction from academic to professional.

ARTISTIC CREDITS

Jo Armstead comes with exceptional credentials. In the early sixties, she was one of the original Ikettes with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Later, she joined an exciting song-writing team known as Ashford, Simpson & Armstead which gave us such hits as the Ray Charles recording of "Lets Go Get Stoned." Ms. Armstead left Ashford and Simpson to form her own production company in Chicago, where she wrote and co-produced the record "Casanova ( Your Playing Days Are Over)," for Ruby Andrews and "Jealous Kinda Fellow," for Garland Green and many more. In the mid-seventies Stax Records gave her a pile of money for which she wrote all the words and music, published and recorded her first solo album. "Stepping Stones," which broke onto the national charts at about the same time Stax broke into bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ms Armstead's voice was heard by Burt Bacharach on a CARE commerical for hungry children. He sought her out, signed and featured her in his "Futures" album. She made an electrifying debut at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, with Bacharach and Anthony Newly. An enthusiastic audience including Ruth Brown, Ashford & Simpson, and Chuck Jackson was on hand to see

Jo's opening at Harlem's Cotton Club. Jo is also no stranger on or off Broadway. She racked up sensational reviews for her Broadway performances in the musical

"Seesaw" music by Cy Coleman lyrics by Dorothy Fields and in Melvin Van Peebles' "Don't Play Us Cheap." As Belle in Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Journey Through Forever," Richard Christiansen, Critic-At-Large, Chicago Tribune, called her performance "...the real show off singing." Jo's voice was the sound of numerous commercials for Coca-Cola, Burger King, Lite Beer from Miller, Toyota, and McDonalds to name a few. Ms. Armstead is also recognized as a consultant, frequently called upon to analyze and evaluate aspiring

newcomers.

EDUCATION

Jo Armstead is an excellent example of what one can do with determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. Her formal education consist of high school, performing arts training, private tutoring, and in 2002 she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from The New School in New York.

CONCLUSION

Today Jo Armstead lives in New York City. Her lifestyle is engulfed in music and art. A typical day is spent reading, writing (her memoirs), recording, and/or visiting art galleries, museums, and attending shows. You owe it to yourself to listen to this songbird. She is magnificent, truly a stylist. She will seduce you with her charm and presence. Her singing triggers tremendous excitement and a depth of feeling.

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