She calls herself the legendary Chutney queen of Guyana who is proud to represent her country anywhere she goes. Guyanese recording artiste/songwriter Joyce Ormela Harris recalls that the release of her famous song “Taxi Driver” in the 70s made her a household name in this country.
Joyce was born and raised in Good Hope, Canal Number 1, but moved to Mahaica at the age of 16 after she was married. Though her hands were full from being a wife she still managed to pursue her singing career. Her famous song “Taxi Driver” was really the story of her husband who was a taxi driver and her as his wife who had to put up with his late nights.
Joyce who has been in the music industry for over 16 years said that her talent was evident from the time she was a child, who started to sing in school and church concerts. Singing was a lifelong dream for her and began to take shape after she migrated to the United States in 1990. There she pursued her dream of becoming a signer and began singing, writing and producing her music which includes soca, chutney, reggae, gospel and Bhajans among other types of music.
During her years in the music business she has recorded over 20 CDs and has done a number of shows locally and internationally in places such as Canada, Europe, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, where she often performs during the Mashramani and Diwali festivals. Her talent, she says, has given her the opportunity to grace stages with other well-known artistes such as Ricki Jai and Sundar Popo.
In a recent interview with The Scene, Joyce said that she never forgets her Guyanese roots even though she has travelled and performed at many venues overseas. Returning home is always a pleasure for her and is even more welcoming when she is greeted by local fans who are always happy to see her.
Her songs which she describes as original and upbeat have caused her to win many awards which include a Lifetime Achievement Award she won in Canada. Her music, according to her, caters for all the diverse segments of society and this is what distinguishes her from other entertainers. When asked about what keeps her motivated in an industry that is very competitive, she responded, “my fans who are always happy to see me.”
Apart from her profession as a singer, she also enjoys being a mom to her three kids and a wife to her husband. Her advice to those who have a passion for music is to come with their originality.
Joyce who is currently visiting Guyana is also scheduled to release her new CD, ‘Chutney Queen’ some time later this month and will be performing at various venues around the city. Her new CD will be available at Full Range record store.
