Janiva Magness

Show Description

“Janiva Magness always knocks me out because she has such style and poise on stage and she hits every note she sings just right - perfect every time." –Charlie Musslewhite

Los Angeles based Janiva Magness is one of today’s most talented and recognized blues and roots vocalists. A three-decade darling of the blues genre, Janiva currently resides at the top of the genre. In May 2007, Janiva won her second consecutive Blues Music Award for Contemporary Female Artist of the Year beating out contemporaries Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland and Marcia Ball. Janiva is nominated for the 2008 Blues Music Award for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award.
Billboard writes “Magness carves out a niche by singing the blues with maturity and sophistication." No Depression Magazine says “Janiva Magness slow-burns and romps heart-first...she never injects contrived emotion, never puts a tear in her voice where one doesn’t belong. She simply sings heartbreak, hunger and humor—sings ‘em with equally great chops and feeling—and lets that speak for itself.” Janiva is known for paying homage to controversial and rule breaking women before her like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith for fearlessly embracing their age, their sexuality, and truth.