Joy's music is vivid and alive, tender and poignant, and altogether a gift for the listener."                                                   ~ Caryn Mirriam Goldberg, former Kansas Poet Laureate

Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots singer/songwriter who cultivates joy and community with a stunningly clear and rich voice.

Born on Shakespeare's 400th birthday, it's no wonder Joy is a natural writer. Her songwriting has been recognized nationally with an American Songwriter Lyric Contest Honorable Mention and ten Walnut Valley Music Festival NewSong Showcase wins. Her music has been described as "vivid and alive, tender and poignant, and altogether a gift for the listener." (Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus)

At home on guitar and violin, Joy loves adding fiddle tunes along the way. She performs solo and with a variety of other musicians. You hear echoes of your own journey in her performances of hope, resilience, and humor.

Joy's forthcoming album, "Where the Light Lives," wrestles with challenging issues facing us collectively and individually. Steeped in justice issues since childhood, Joy has always found solace and her authentic voice in music.

Joy Zimmerman has recorded eight albums of original music. Her most recent album, "The Canvas Before Us," debuted at #8 on the Folk Alliance International Folk Chart in August, 2021, and her single, "Women Who Walked on Water," was #4 in March 2022.

As a former social worker, Joy believes in the power of music and collaboration. She is an Artist INC alumnus, the recipient of an Artist as Activist grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and a board member of the Transformative Language Arts Network. Joy curated a portrait exhibit at the InterUrban ArtHouse based on her song, "Women Who Walked on Water."

A nationally and internationally touring musician based in Kansas City, Joy brings us home to our innate ability for wonder and connection. Her voice of honey and ginger leaves you wishing you'd heard her sooner.

Prior venues include Lakeside Music Concert Series (KS), Louisville Arts Center (CO), Green Guitar Folk House (KS), Labyrinth Concert Series (MO), Knuckleheads (MO), Headwaters Music and Arts (MN), Stone Room Concerts (DC), InterUrban ArtHouse (KS), The Warming House (MN), InterContinental Hotel (MO), Open Range Concerts (MN), Stories & Songs Series (OR), Taos Inn (NM), Granary Concert Series (MN), Folk Alliance Region Midwest DJ Showcase

Joy's music has been featured on Northern Spirit Radio's Song of the Soul, (Re)Learning Leadership podcast, Hootenanny Cafe Radio Show, KKFI Local Showcase, Kansas NASW Advocacy Day, Together Women Rise International Women's Day Celebration

The Canvas Before Us - #8  Top Album | Folk Alliance International Folk Chart (Aug. 2021)

Women Who Walked on Water - #3 Song | Folk Alliance International Folk Chart (March 2022)

We'll Hold the Light - #16 Song | Folk Alliance International Folk Chart (February 2021)

Heartland Song Network Artist of the Month (2022)

Artist as Activist Award - Mid-America Arts Alliance (2022)

Artist INC Program Graduate (2022)

Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Songwriting Contest winner - 10x

American Songwriter Songwriting Contest - Honorable mention

FARM Folk DJ Showcase (2021)

Kansas Public Radio Top Ten New Releases - 3x (2021)

Discograpy

The Canvas Before Us (2021)            Shed a Little Light - Live (2021)             To the Girl (2019)                                Lights Along the Way (2017)                  Say My Name (2016)                         Mosaic (2014)                                        Grey Matter (2014)                                Until the Dawn (2013)   

For More Information: Visit Recordings 

"Joy is a multi-instrumentalist (fiddle and guitar), with a beautiful voice.  Add all that to her insightful writing and you have a show any host would line up to present to their audience.  Book Joy Zimmerman for one of the best evenings you can offer your audience."            ~ Dani Goodband, Lakeside Music

“​Joy has a wonderfully unique way of connecting to her audience that I have seen no other performer do...she engages every audience and wraps everyone in a velvet blanket of beautiful music.” 
~ Peggy Kelly, Open Range Concert Series