Fiona Joy
ABOUT FIONA
Once heard, one doesn’t easily forget Ageless Music artist Fiona Joy’s piano and vocals. She is often referred to as ‘Australia’s Enya’.
Fiona Joy has been named Best new Age Artist for 2013 and was Runner up for Best Instrumental Song in the International Acoustic Music Awards. After touring extensively in the US and Australia, Fiona earned a nomination along with Pete Seeger for Best LIVE Performance album in the Independent Music Awards. Also a Finalist in the One World Radio Awards t for Album of the Year. Fiona looks forward to playing at the ZMR New Age Music Awards in New Orleans May 2014 as a Finalist for Best Piano, Best Instrumental and Album of the Year.
“One of the brightest lights in the contemporary instrumental genre, Fiona Joy Hawkins is poised to move into stardom.”Will Ackerman, Founder of Windham Hill Records
Recently due to a life change (divorce) Fiona changed her stage name to Fiona Joy – she feels it seems simpler and more joyful. Her writing name and legal name is still Fiona Joy Hawkins.
The family home was filled with music.“My father played Jesus in the Tamworth Musical Society production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music was part of our lives.” Classically trained as a pianist, Fiona’s music is thematic and melodic. With a keen eye on film she has always been interested in creating music that evokes images and emotions and tells a story. Fiona first began playing and writing music as a child and cites Ravel’s Bolero as an early influence. “I played it over and over and deconstructed every part, I absolutely loved it,” said Fiona. Other musical influences include: George Winston, Prokofiev and Mendelssohn.
600 Years in a Moment was recorded on a contemporary hand-made Australian piano (Stuart and Sons) with ancient instruments and travels sonically around the world from with the distinctly Celtic Flavour of her ancestors while combining sounds from other ancient cultures. Produced by Will Ackerman, Corin Nelsen and Hawkins herself, 600 Years in a Moment was also remixed into SACD multichannel surround sound 5.1 as well as on vinyl (double gatefold).
Only recently Fiona was introduced to Stuart and Sons Pianos after a move to Newcastle NSW. A friend suggested she visit one of his clients who made pianos nearby. “The Stuart piano factory was literally two minutes from where I was living. It was an unfortunate time in my life where for over a year I had no piano at all. Then I met Wayne Stuart who offered his showroom full of concert grands for me to practice. I felt like I had won the lottey!”says Fiona.
With over 50 awards around the world, Fiona has worked with T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits), Jeff Haynes (Pat Metheny), Eugene Friesen (Paul Winter Consort), Heather Rankin, Charlie Bisharat (Shadowfax) and Rebecca Daniel (ACO)
“Hawkins enters the realm of masterfull” Smoothjazz FM.
Earlier Quotes.
“Fiona’s Blue Dream album was the most ambitious project of my entire career and resulted in one of the most remarkable collaborations this genre has ever known. Blue Dream is unique and I’m as proud of it as anything I’ve ever worked on in my 35 year career of Grammy Awards and gold /platinum records.” Will Ackerman (Founder Windham Hill Records)
“Blue Dream represents the very best of this music genre and follows in the great tradition of artists such as George Winston. This beautifully crafted album has already been hailed in the US as a work of pure genius”. ABC Music Australia
**** Fiona’s Two Grand I’m yours tour with singer/ songwriter Trysette go to https://www.twograndimyours.com for dates
In addition to composing Fiona is also a prolific painter who has been exhibiting since 1997. Fiona incorporates original manuscripts of her music on the canvas to create bold colourful mixed media abstracts so you can hear and see her music.
“The idea of synchronicity has always intrigued me, colours, ideas and emotions all have corresponding sounds,” said Fiona. “I believe in the power of music as a source of inspiration and a way of reaching people, and I can transfer a musical quality through my art to the canvas.”
– See more at: https://www.fionajoyhawkins.com.au/about-fiona.html#sthash.ar5aLXGY.dpuf
Website Fiona Joy Hawkins: www.fionajoyhawkins.com.au