Kelly Joyner’s concert to close 2023 ‘Sounds of Summer’
MADISON – Kelly Joyner will entertain the audience for the “Sounds of Summer” concert on Aug. 10.
This concert will close the 2023 season for the free Sounds of Summer programs. Madison Arts Alliance is presenting the concerts at Home Place Park, 100 Shorter St., just south of downtown streets. Joyner will perform from 7 to 9 p.m.
A New York native, Kelly Abraham Joyner has lived in the Tennessee Valley for the past 17 years. With eight siblings, Joyner always has escaped the chaos of her surroundings by getting lost in the act of creating.
Joyner started performing on stage when she was eight years old and has a rich background in theater, dance, music and the visual arts. Her musical influences include the vinyl records that decorated the background of her childhood, including Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Bob Seger, The Mamas and the Papas and Joni Mitchell.
Her playlist has grown recently to include artists such as Patty Griffin, Tori Amos, Ray LaMantagne, John Paul White, among countless others.
Currently, Kelly and her husband Clayton live in Madison with their three children. The Joyners strive to maintain the balance between family and musician life. Kelly loves to sing for the children’s program at her church and still enjoys creating visual art when not practicing music.
In 2022, her cello instructor Kevin Lay introduced Joyner to local guitarist Chris McDonald, and the three formed the local group, Luna Koi.
Lay has a classical background and plays for the Shoals Orchestra. He teaches cello at Valley Conservatory. McDonald has a rock/alternative background and teaches guitar at Colors Music Studio in Madison.
Luna Koi has two singles released on all streaming services. Currently, the group is finishing their first record with Grammy winner Jimmy Nutt at The Nutthouse Recording Studio in Sheffield.
Their sound carries haunting vocals with interwoven male/female harmonies, supported by interesting guitar riffs laced with cello, Joyner said.
Joyner and McDonald regularly play together as the Luna Koi duo at venues in Madison and Huntsville. They host an “Open Mic Night” once each month at The Open Bottle in Madison; this event encourages musicians to share original music, along with their favorite covers.
Upcoming appearances for Luna Koi include the CO-OP Community Table on Aug. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Stella’s Elixir Lounge on Aug. 13 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Luna Koi’s full schedule is available at Kellyjoynerlive.com. Luna Koi regularly shares show updates, videos, pictures and behind-the-scenes footage on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, visit https://linktr.ee/lunakoi.
Mac and Snacks food truck will offer gourmet mac and cheese and delicious treats. In addition, Honest Coffee Roasters and Chillabay ice cream shop are just around the corner.
Rosalie Holcombe is serving as President of Madison Arts Alliance, sponsor of Sounds of Summer. Madison Visionary Partners is the alliance’s fiscal sponsor.
For more information, email info@madisonartsalliance.org or visit madisonartsalliance.org. To contact Joyner, email joynerkelly0@gmail.com or visit kellyabrahamjoyner.weebly.com.