One On One With Joby Jay

Jo Benée Morris, more popularly known as Joby Jay, started singing in church, at school and competed at the National level in Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

Though her early years began with her singing, her first step into the entertainment industry was through photography, where she still does commercial and fine art photography.  She is considered a soulful and eccentric artiste with a unique sound and vocal texture and is fond of genres like jazz and afro beats.

The artiste says her style has been heavily impacted by others like Jah9, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill, but certainly has not limited her musicality. Let’s find out a little more about Joby Jay.

What would you say is your unique style?

I would say my unique style is my vocal texture and sound, which is a very eclectic sound – a little bit of the various styles I grew listening to.

How did you start in music?

I started doing music at the beginning of 2019, where I had my first live performance, after which I released my first single in December of 2019, and things have been going up ever since. I started by reaching out to Jeeby Lyricst, who at the time was hosting an event series called ‘Vibe Style Sessions’ at UWI, where he was showcasing known and upcoming artists. He gave me the opportunity to perform and that was my first time on a stage singing and performing as Joby Jay.

Which shows have you been on?

I have performed at locals shows such as Unplugged, Apollo Series & Inner Ear.

What is your latest single and/or current project?

My latest single is Queen, and it’s available on all music platforms for stream and download. ‘Queen’ is a reminder to all women to keep their heads up and just continue to be awesome.

What is one thing people don’t know about you ?

People probably don’t know that the first time I recorded in a studio was by chance. About 4 years ago I was invited to a studio session to take photos, and I ended up doing some background vocals on a track because the producer heard me harmonizing behind him.

What do you want people to remember about you?

I want people to remember quality, uplifting music and performances.

Which artiste, local or international, do you hope to collaborate with in future?

Locally I really want to work with Mortimer, internationally I want to work with Alicia Keys.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a young upcoming artiste like yourself?

Always continue to improve your craft, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who can encourage you and push you to your greatest potential.