Joni NehRita is a soul sista from Toronto recently re-located to Guelph Ontario. She has been performing her music in clubs around Toronto Montreal and most recently, London England for the past seven years. Her soulful music is infused with pop, jazz and reggae sentiments while being rooted in the 60’s and 70’s soul tradition that she loves so much. Infectious melodies coupled with subject matter not often found in today’s R&B/Urban music make her particularly appealing. She’s a bright alternative for those who like their music served with lyrical/thematic substance. Having a live rhythm section on her recordings gives her songs an earthiness and vibrancy that’s often lost with the programmed and over-produced sounds du jour. Unforced and natural onstage she’ll welcome you in with honesty and quirkiness. She has a way of making her audiences feel that they know her…she’s a performer who’ll go and meet people after a show, maybe even sit down and have a tea.

Joni believes that music can be a stimulus for change in the world and lends her voice to many causes. She is a member of “The Coalition Against War and Racism” aka CAWR in Toronto and uses song as a means of bringing awareness to various social and humanitarian struggles. “The more I learn and grow, the more I realize 1) I don't know Sh@!%? and 2) Love is really all there is”, says Joni.

Joni NehRita wears many hats musically speaking: singer, songwriter, teacher, musician, arranger and producer. She will be releasing a new CD this year- it’ll be a funkier sound then her previous studio tracks and as always there will be a range of subject matter. It will largely be a call for change, a call to choose love over fear and about the notion that change and revolution starts from within. “You can’t change what you don’t admit is there”, writes Joni in one of her songs.

Joni aspires to share music that will inspire others and make them feel something. She prefers to go at it independently at least for now so that she can make sure her music is a clear manifestation of who she is and what she believes in. She is indeed, versatile and as Zack Werner (Canadian Idol, Esthero, Venus Management) put it,”you may not fit into a box, but you have star quality and sheer talent.” Joni plans on being around for a long time. It’s all about longevity. Catch her at a show near you soon!