Jo Armstead Red Hot *

A major deep soul rediscovery---Jo Armstead may be known mostly to record collectors for 'Stone Good Lover,' her 1968 R&B hit. But she was an Ikette when it counted, wrote songs with unknowns Ashford and Simpson for Ray Charles ('Let's Go Get Stoned') and sang backgrounds with everybody from Bob Dylan and Nina Simone to Burt Bacharach and Archie Shepp. She starred in Melvin Van Pebbles' landmark Broadway Production 'Don't Play Us Cheap' and once managed a professional prize fighter. She has recently been giving some thought to doing a one-woman's show. And now, look out world, she's cleaned out her tape closet and pulled together a stunning collection of raw, powerful, unrestrained performances from throughout the prime of her career. Be prepared 'Joshie' Jo Armstead is the real deal. Joel Selvin S.F. Chronicle INTRODUCTION 'Jo Armstead is like a priceless work of art that stays tucked away in some private collection and becomes available for the public to gaze upon it's splendor on but rare occasions,' wrote one New York critic. The career of this multifaceted lady from Yazoo City, Mississippi, has indeed been to briefly capture public attention in one spectrum of the entertainment world or another and then tuck herself away again in her own private world. BACKGROUND The time---October 8, 1944; the place---Yazoo City, Mississippi; the event, a child prodigy named Josephine Armstead is born to Wilton and Rosie Armstead. 'Little Josephine' sang gospel music throughout the city. In school, she was awarded scholarships to several colleges for her outstanding achievement as a soloist. She was nick-named 'Joshie' due to her quickness and speed as a high school athlete; it stuck and followed her to the stage where she clearly made her mark as a professional. The birth of her daughter Chandra changed her direction from academic to professional. ARTISTIC CREDITS Jo Armstead comes with exceptional credentials. In the early sixties, she was one of the original Ikettes with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Later, she joined an exciting song-writing team known as Ashford, Simpson & Armstead which gave us such hits as the Ray Charles recording of 'Let's Go Get Stoned.' Ms. Armstead left Ashford and Simpson to form her own production company in Chicago, where she wrote and co-produced the record 'Casanova ( Your Playing Days Are Over),' for Ruby Andrews and 'Jealous Kinda Fellow,' for Garland Green and many more. In the mid-seventies Stax Records gave her a pile of money for which she wrote all the words and music, published and recorded her first solo album. 'Stepping Stones,' which broke onto the national charts at about the same time Stax broke into bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ms Armstead's voice was heard by Burt Bacharach on a CARE commerical for hungry children. He sought her out, signed and featured her in his 'Futures' album. She made an electrifying debut at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, with Bacharach and Anthony Newly. An enthusiastic audience including Ruth Brown, Ashford & Simpson, and Chuck Jackson was on hand to see Jo's opening at Harlem's Cotton Club. Jo is also no stranger on or off Broadway. She racked up sensational reviews for her Broadway performances in the musical 'Seesaw' music by Cy Coleman lyrics by Dorothy Fields and in Melvin Van Peebles' 'Don't Play Us Cheap.' As Belle in Oscar Brown Jr.'s 'Journey Through Forever,' Richard Christiansen, Critic-At-Large, Chicago Tribune, called her performance '...the real show off singing.' Jo's voice was the sound of numerous commercials for Coca-Cola, Burger King, Lite Beer from Miller, Toyota, and McDonalds to name a few. Ms. Armstead is also recognized as a consultant, frequently called upon to analyze and evaluate aspiring newcomers. EDUCATION Jo Armstead is an excellent example of what one can do with determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. Her formal education consist of high school, performing arts training, private tutoring, and in 2002 she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from The New School in New York. CONCLUSION Today Jo Armstead lives in New York Ci