About Joy Katzen-Guthrie ... Accolades and Accolades
- One of the most versatile, inspiring and gifted musicians it has been our pleasure to know ... a powerful and creative songwriter, an inspired accomplished performer, an articulate speaker, and a knowledgeable person on many subjects ... Her rich voice and musical skill on the keyboard and delightful presence combine to be a blessing to all her hear her." ~Rev.'s Bob & Ruth Fatur, Unity Center For Today, Tampa
- Joy's wonderful music and radiating personality are both playing an important part in increasing peace and harmony in the world. ~Rabbi Dr. Avraham Abrahami, London
- Our congregation gets very excited each time they hear Joy will be with us again. All her presentations are unique and suited to the occasion ... She shared the history of Judaism with lively music and intriguing stories ... She is a marvel at the piano. She has a beautiful voice and a bubbly, energetic personality. Her presentations are honed to perfection with a spirit of love, enthusiasm and humor and delivered in a masterful way. Joy is truly a gifted musician and speaker. What more can I say? Joy is a joy! ~ Elsie L. Huebner, Spiritual Leader, Unity Community Church, Dunedin, FL
- Joy is well named ... her music, her personality, her entire presence brings joy and happiness to those who are privileged to share her company ... When our congregation knew that Joy would be joining us, there wasn't an empty seat in the shul! Each experience with Joy, every service where she sang, was a journey filled with Yiddishkeit, warmth and love ... Joy Katzen-Guthrie is a consummate performer, but more than that, she is a person with exquisite talent, dedication and character. When I hear her voice and, maybe more so, when I share an experience with her, Joy never fails to touch my heart. ~Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Synagogue Ner Tamid del Sud, Serrastretta, Italy
- Joy Katzen-Guthrie has the kind of talent and skill that positive music needs. She brings such joy and finesse to her work, I always feel so good listening to her songs. I am grateful to have met her, she is a light for creative brilliance with class in a growing music industry. ~Lisa Firestone, Singer/Songwriter/Unity Music Director, Orlando
- Her words are uplifting and inspiring ... She is truly a gifted musician and a wonderful example of what spirituality and faith can mean in the 21st century. ~Weekly Planet Magazine Critic's Choice, Best Religious Music, Best of the Bay 2000
- Oh, Joy, I am listening to your singing/piano on Favorite Melody, Vol. 1. You are sooooooooo talented and your voice is heavenly. What a range and it expresses such emotion! Your voice is mellow and easy to listen to. It's very relaxing and calming. ~Claudia Ann Sodaro, composer/pianist
- It is wisdom delivered by a confident voice that makes this album such a proud, professional triumph ... The music here is full of personal revelation and celebratory wonder... Free of angst, minus preachy platitudes, Katzen-Guthrie manages what so few singers do — to make you feel hopeful without being weighed down by sickly sentiment. She sings her anthems softly, mixed in with groovy guitars, cool cellos, and all sorts of other instruments, showcasing a voice that has rare sing-a-long quality ... She can kick it up and lay it down ... Now the question is: Where's that major label record contract? ~Jennifer Barrs, Tampa Tribune
- Joy is a marvel on the keyboard, making her playing seem effortless. Her compositions, as well as the adaptations of others' songs, reflect the summation that it is her life. When she sits down at the keyboard, starts playing, smiles that warm smile of hers and sings to your heart, well it's just inspirational! Her stories of life and love are fulfilling to all who listen. ~Donna Klein, President, Women Musicians' Alliance
- Singer-composer-keyboardist Joy Katzen-Guthrie has a gift... Her voice is expressive and moving, flexible and powerful. As a songwriter, her songs bear the mark of craftsmanship. The songs shine... ~Rex Havok, Jam Entertainment Magazine
- A potent, tender, supple, and remarkable voice... ~Eileen Raymond, Bay Area Connection
- Florida resident Joy Katzen-Guthrie has a wonderful singing voice, light and joyous, and she performs an unusual program of original inspirational music in her latest CD, Passages. The album is well-paced and the songs are unerring in their uplifting messages … She's unquestionably ready to reach out to a bigger audience. ~Bob Powers, G21 PowerSound Magazine
- Eckerd College Osher Institute Life Long Learning Students, various classes and concerts 2003-2007: "Lively, fascinating, and most enjoyable." "A tremendous learning experience!" "A great presentation extremely well prepared. A real treat." "Definitely our best presenter." "What a wonderful afternoon for Broadway lovers!" "Joy is a fantastic speaker!" "Joy is always exceptional and memorable." "Could not be improved - outstanding." "'She is so good!" "Tremendous communicator." "Joy's presentations are always excellent!" "I have never been disappointed with any class of Joy's I've attended. How informative and deligtful. How fortunate we are to have them. Her knowledge and love for music and musicians is awesome." "Her diction, manner of delivery and knowledge of the subject are marvelous." "Instructor top notch." "Top flight teaching - a rare experience." "Joy is always a joy. She is precise, great speaker, annunciates beautifully and her words flow. Great command of her subject. Does a super job of research." "The Best! We loved it." "Brought back memories of my youth." "Superb as always." "Beautifully prepared. Truly exceptional -- organized, poignant, informative, outstanding." "This was so good I did not want it to end." "She is the BEST! Whatever she does is the BEST" "Joy - Always magnificent!" "Love her classes. Keep coming back, Joy." "Excellent in all respects." "Instructor certainly has depth and width of knowledge. "It was done with such style ..." "One word: TERRIFIC!!" "Joy is the very best. She brings the subject alive." "Great lecturer. Great personality and very knowledgeable about subject, program was excellent." "Joy is such a pleasure and seems to enjoy the class as much as we do." "Loved this lady!" "Joy Katzen-Guthrie - SUPERB." Evaluations of instructor & class content: Average 5 out of possible 5.
- Eckerd College Elderhostel Students, various classes and concerts 2001-2007: "Joy was fabulous! What a gift she has – and is – to all who are fortunate enought to hear her speak/perform. She is off the chart!" "Joy is a delightful, extremely talented presenter. Her warmth and knowledge are outstanding - her concert was the best!" "Joy was outstanding, wonderful, knowledgeable, organized, and personable." "Joy is marvelous in so many ways. Knowledgeable historical perspective, broad repertoire." "Joy is superb! She is a marvelous teacher, talented musician and singer, excellent communicator." "Joy is especially enjoyable because of her immense talent and delightful personality." "Joy was fabulous! She is good enough to carry an entire Elderhostel program!" "Very talented, spoke eloquently and was very knowledgeable." "Well prepared, vivacious and dynamic." "Joy was outstanding! Wish she could have had at least 10 days to teach her course." "Joy was truly outstanding." "Very good - especially Joy" "Joy was top notch!" "Joy was fantastic!" "'Too marvelous for words.'" "Joy brings so much substance to the subject. She is outstanding at whatever she does." "Excellent audios and visuals. The best adult learning class I have participated to date." "Whatever Joy chooses for a subject - allow her to give the class. She's special." "If this instructor gives another class, I willl surely take it." "Wonderful perspective of theatrical evolution, excellent presentations." "A great commentary, not only on beautiful music, but the social currents from 1927 to present. Joy is always professional, fascinating, thorough." "Look forward to taking another course by Joy." "Choice of illustrative material excellent." "Joy - lived up to her name!" Evaluations of instructor & class content: Average 5 out of possible 5.
- She truly matches her name with her joyful exuberance and love of music ... Her own impressive and original music continually touches the heart. ~Annie Miller, Program Manager of Eckerd College Elderhostel, St. Petersburg, FL
- Joy Katzen-Guthrie is a gifted musician who will absolutely astound you with her talent. Listening to her perform and watching how she brings all the elements of music and voice together often leaves me breathless … She puts an energy into her music that can't help but thrill those who are listening. She is a fantastic performer.” ~Robert Moffa, Composer/Arranger and Founder, American Ideals Foundation, Inc.
- Katzen-Guthrie uses simple, direct language and soothing melodies to describe the complex feelings of found love, lost love, and the growth of spirituality ... Her playing and singing have never sounded stronger or more convincing ... ~Focus Entertainment Magazine
- If the idea of tackling 27 Judaic hymns, 16 century Kabbalistic prayers, and medieval metaphysical song/poems, seems like a challenging idea to you, you're not alone. But performance/recording artist Joy Katzen-Guthrie makes the inevitable cultural gap not only tolerable, but downright entrancing. Blessed with a powerfully serene voice, these ancient prayers - backed only by Katzen-Guthrie's lilting harp-like keyboard - possess a simple and beautiful magnificence. The fact that she's willing to demystify the language and meaning behind the material in her extensive liner notes makes the endeavor all the more meaningful and enjoyable for the uninitiated. ~Bill Templeton, Jam Entertainment News
- Things are just grand these days for this energetic woman. “I've been blessed in a lot of ways,” she says. Number one is her voice. Strong, rich and full-ranged, she can belt out a Broadway number as easily as a haunting cantorial chant. ~Michelle Bearden, Tampa Tribune
- **** (4 stars) The best among them is The Heart of Ancient Promise, a collection of mostly Yiddish songs that are so charming, so heartfelt, it's enough to make anyone nostalgic - even those born long after the numbers were popular...If you've always wanted to learn Jewish religious songs, but were afraid to ask, buy these recordings and sing along with Joy...her voice couldn't be more lovely. ~Elizabeth Applebaum, Detroit Jewish Jews
- We just saw and heard you perform. It was something to behold… We are both sitting here with tears of joy in our eyes! ~Marshall & Beth Arkin, Homosassa, Florida
- Thank you so much for an unforgettable performance ... Your singing and piano playing was so enjoyable that we hoped the performance would never end. Keep entertaining others as you have entertained us. Hoping to see you here again in 2008. ~The Mameloshen Committee of Willow Bend, Greater Palm Beach Area, Florida
Joy Katzen-Guthrie is creator, operator, and web master of this site.
Contact Tune-of-the-Century Music® • joyfulnoise@earthlink.net
727-785-4568 (Tampa Bay Area) • 800-354-1302
