Gifted and genre-defying bassoonist and composer Joy Guidry has announced the release of Five Prayers, their intimate new album. Marking a shift from the ecstatic energy of free jazz into more meditative terrain, the record finds space in ambient gospel, experimental jazz, and layered electronics, guided throughout by Guidry’s electronically manipulated and emotionally charged bassoon. Exploring themes of vulnerability, healing, and identity, particularly through the lens of living with Bipolar II disorder, Five Prayers reflects a year of mental health challenges and spiritual rediscovery.​ “I began to pray in new ways,” they share. “These prayers came in the form of sonic meditations and poetry. They embraced more silence and solitude.”

Preceding the album release on May 16th through their own Jaid Records, Guidry has shared the first single, ‘Hold and Be Held’, a delicate and moving track inspired by Nikki Giovanni’s poem This World Is Not A Pleasant Place To Be. Take a listen now.

Back in February, we heard and loved the soul-stirring and soul-soothing ‘Members Don’t Get Weary’, the first single from Joy Guidry‘s upcoming album AMEN. Now the gifted bassoonist and composer has shared another poignant and transcendent single called ‘I Will Always Miss You’. Described as “a heartbreaking ode to Joy’s family”, ‘I Will Always Miss You’ “explores the album’s themes of deep rest by layering pads of lush ambient synthesizers beneath some of Joy’s most inner-reaching and expressive bassoon playing to date.”
Listen to it below and watch out for the release of AMEN on May 10th through Whited Sepulchre Records.

Photo: Nykelle Devivo

Gifted bassoonist and composer Joy Guidry has announced the follow up to last years’s Radical Acceptance. Entitled AMEN, their upcoming album will see the light of day on May 10th through Whited Sepulchre Records. “I wanted to give a voice and give power and provide community to the people I love and truly care for on this record by tackling songs and challenging myself,” Guidry said. “I knew I got the right people, the right community to drive it home, to take my ideas and really bring it together.” They continue:

“In AMEN there is a lot experimentation with different forms of Black American music. I wanted to lean heavily on my Texas, Louisiana and Creole roots in this project. There were many days spent with my ancestors during the writing of this album and I’m eternally grateful for the music they sang to me during our time together. I’m excited for y’all to hear this project that experiments with gospel, jazz, ambient and the blues on May 10th.”

Alongside the album news, Guidry has shared the first single ‘Members Don’t Get Weary’, a poignant tribute to jazz luminaire Max Roach, celebrating his centennial birthday. Soul-stirring and soul-soothing, ‘Members Don’t Get Weary’ is after your ears.