Hambone

Joyce Renee & the JK Connection is: Joyce Renee Walker (keyboards, bass, lead vocals), Kenneth Walker (drums, vocals), Stann Champion (guitar, vocals), Shirley Williams, aka 'Phoenixx' (vocals), and EdVette Wilson Thomas (vocals). Our set list covers a variety of musical styles & genres, including: Soul/R&B, Blues, Jazz Standards/Smooth Jazz, Zydeco, Disco, World Music, and more. One of the unique aspects of our music is Joyce Renee's, bass playing - we don't employ a traditional bass guitarist - she plays the bass on her keyboards! When we recorded Hambone, we didn't do it the 'traditional' way (with the vocals being laid down on one track, and the instrumentation on another) ... I, first, played a solo drum tract; Stann's guitar track was played and then added in and, finally, Joyce Renee laid down her keyboard and vocal tracks (she also performed all of the vocals on the song) ... We found it quite amazing that Joyce Renee's vocals - the verses AND the choruses - ended up being in perfect synch with the drum and guitar tracks; 'amazing' in the sense that, while Stann and I were laying down our separate tracks, we had no idea what Joyce Renee's final lyrical wording and/or verse/chorus structure would be like, and she hadn't heard any of the tracks that Stann and I had put down! We simply LOVE to perform! During our band's relatively short existence - we've been together less than two years - we've been nominated for the Chicago Music Awards 'Most Outstanding Musical Group or Duo', performed on the bill with Reggae superstars Thirld World at the 21st annual International Festival of Life concert in Chicago, IL; and have played in numerous venues throughout the Chicagoland area. 'Hambone' represents the culmination of our desire to bring to the forefront the feelings and rhythms that emanated from the Mississippi Delta; the sounds of our roots. This song is the result of a discussion that Joyce Renee, Stann and I were having at one of our rehearsals about our musical roots ... I started playing a beat, Stann and Joyce Renee came in with some chords (Joyce Renee made up some lyrics; on the spot), and - in that one take - Hambone was born! Initially, there was just the three of us; we've since added Shirley and EdVette as additional vocalists, and they've proven to be valuable assets to the JK Connection family. We hope you'll enjoy listening and dancing to 'Hambone' just as much as we did while recording it; it's soulful harmonies and infectious rhythms will have you bobbin' your head and tappin' your toes! - Kenneth Walker.