Joy Guidry is a bassoonist, versatile improviser, performance artist, and composer of experimental, daring new works that embody a deep love of storytelling; Joy’s music channels her inner child in honor of their ancestors and predecessors.
The San Diego Tribune has hailed her performances as “lyrical and haunting…hair-raising and unsettling.” Joy was born in Houston, Texas, into a creative family that has shaped who she is today.
Joy has presented her original work at The Whitney Museum for American Art, Hauser & Wirth, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, The Kitchen, Redcat, among many other venues. She has been commissioned by The National Sawdust, Long Beach Opera, JACK Quartet, Gaudeamus Festival, and the I&I Foundation. Joy has been featured in festivals like the La Biennale di Venezia, Banlieues Bleues festival, A’Larme Festival, Cologne Jazz Week, Spoleto Festival USA, Big Ears Festival, and many more.
Joy holds a bachelor’s degree in Bassoon Performance from the Peabody Conservatory and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Mannes School of Music, and is currently a Doctoral Fellow at the University of California San Diego. In addition, Joy Guidry is the winner of the 2021 Berlin Prize for Young Artists. She is currently playing on a Heckel Bassoon number 6101.
The XJAZZ! Festival in Berlin returns to Berlin from May 14th to 18th, 2025, bringing its eclectic mix of jazz, experimental music, and cross-genre collaborations to venues across Kreuzberg. One of the festival’s highlights is Joy Guidry’s performance on May 17 → Book your tickets here.
FACTS
1. Learning about Black americans and generational trauma changed my life a few years ago.
2. That we have no clue where eels come from is insane to me.
3. Also that Space is forever expanding really does some wild things to my brain.
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
The movie “Arival” opened my mind up to a style of ambient music, and imagery that spoke to me on a spiritual level. That started my journey and trying to find the intersections of ambient music, gospel music, and Southern Black folk music.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I began studying music in 6th grade in Texas, and really fell in love with the craft so much. Many years later in 2020 I decided to leave the world of orchestral music to begin developing my own music.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
B’Day – beyonce
Gold – Cleo Sol
Ctrl – SZA
Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan
The Electric Lady – Janelle Monae
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Berlin reminds me of a playground of experimentation, and really fun clubs. Anytime I’m there I’m able to unlock a new aspect of my music somehow. It’s such a magical city.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
This amazing Mexican restaurant la contenta oeste. Best cocktails in NYC by far.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would probably become a chef.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
The last record I’ve listened to in full would be Love & Death by Ebo Taylor.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Jazmine Sullivan & Laraaji
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
My best gig would have to be from 2023 at the A’Larme Festival in Berlin 2023. There was so much going on in my life and still two years later, that has been my favorite show of my life. I was able to channel my emotions in a way that truly changed how I view performing live.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
I would say Technology is about 50% of my creative process.
11. What can we expect from your performance at the XJAZZ Festival?
You can expect to hear the bassoon used in a context you’ve maybe never seen before. Lots of low pitched synths, poetry, relaxing energy. It’ll be a palace for all of us to practice some escapism in the afternoon.
XJAZZ! Festival returns to Berlin from May 14th to 18th, 2025, bringing its eclectic mix of jazz, experimental music, and cross-genre collaborations to venues across Kreuzberg. One of the festival’s highlights is Joy Guidry’s performance on May 17. The American bassoonist, improviser, performance artist, and composer is driven by a deep love of storytelling. Her story weaves together ambient, gospel, and jazz. It’s about divine warmth and trust. Guidry’s music is a spellbinding expression of her inner child, channelled through the wisdom of her ancestors and predecessors.
