Joanna Ramirez

Singer and songwriter Joanna Ramirez has been performing in Austin, Texas since
1999. She released a blend of soulful rhythm and blues in a debut CD entitled "Satisfy
Me" produced by Mark Hallman (Ani DiFranco, Sister 7, Davíd Garza) in June 2001.
Joanna's vocal style possesses a depth and range enabling her to deliver songs from
a variety of genres, with an undeniably commanding stage presence.

Born and raised in Dallas, Joanna is carrying on the family music tradition started by
her maternal grandfather, a mariachi singer and guitar player. He made a lasting
impression on her when she saw him perform as a young girl in New Orleans, singing
directly to her in a big, booming voice, which did not require a microphone. At that
moment, she learned of the power of the human voice and its ability to move people.

All of Joanna's uncles and her father, Joe Ramirez, performed in North Texas playing
a wide range of music, from R&B to pop to traditional Mexican folk songs. Growing up
with music all around her, Joanna's musical tastes ranged from The Beatles to Stevie
Wonder to funk. With the discovery of Stevie Ray Vaughan and other artists of the
80s blues revival, such as Robert Cray and Bonnie Raitt, Joanna realized her musical
influences came together in blues. Her energies shifted to singing, and she began
developing her voice and writing songs while actively pursuing opportunities to
perform.

Joanna formed the Denison-based Soul Providers in 1993, then moved to Austin in
1998, creating the band then called Shake 'em on Down a year later with keyboards
and saxophone player Jack Paine and guitarist J.P. Lilliston, adding bassist Jeff
Hayes and drummer Scott French. Joanna penned seven of the songs on the album,
"Satisfy Me" and collaborated with the band on music arrangements. Longtime local
blues keeper Walter Higgs is featured on harmonica on the album's title track.

Satisfy Me takes the listener on a journey through life and relationships and the struggle between losing control and getting it back
again. Joanna conveys many moods with her voice transitioning gracefully between playful and broken-hearted to sensual and even
vengeful.

"For me, music starts with the heart," says Joanna. "If I don't feel it, I can't sing it. All of these songs are very special to me. Every time
I sing them, I do what comes naturally to me, and I give it all I've got."

After years of performing with a full band, Joanna is also now featuring her vocal abilities in solo acoustic settings. With a batch of new
original songs, and covering blues, americana and soul, Joanna is happily stretching into styles of music, which have always influenced
and inspired her. She has also collaborated with Austin guitarists Harry Bodine, Al Monti, and Will Indian, who has performed for
many years with The Nortons and is now with country artist James Hand. Joanna has appeared as percussionist with Mary Welch y
Los Curanderos, makes special appearances with Larry Lange and His Lonely Knights, and provided lead vocals for Kim
Session's band, Kim and Her Blues Girls.

"I see myself as a vehicle for the music. I was given a gift, but I don't own it. I'm just sharing it with others, trying to touch them through
music. If I move someone, I feel I've done my job."