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Beyonce's drummer has Buffalo roots and is bringing her own sound back to the Queen City

Posted at 3:51 PM, Apr 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-04 17:34:35-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Sitting in the halls of Nardin Academy Venzella Joy had no plans to one day tour the world with Beyonce.

She wanted to be a pediatrician.

Even when she stepped on to campus at Canisius College - she only minored in music, with a major in criminal justice.

So, how did she end up spending the past 5 years on tour with one of the world’s biggest superstars?

“It was my junior year of college,” said Joy. “I auditioned for Puff Daddy. He had a series called Making His Band.”

Joy didn’t make that one, but she made plenty of connections…including one with the man who would eventually become Mrs. Carter’s music director.

After a series of auditions, Joy made her band.

“Actually, my first gig with Beyonce was at the White House for Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday.”

Joy says, she’s where she wants to be in her drumming career, and now it’s time to focus on her moves as a vocalist.

“It’s almost like I try to parallel the two, but I have to remind myself the artistry is different. The drum success is on a very high level, os it’s like I have to work equally as hard, if not more to make sure my solo career goes off.”

She will perform with her own band this time, Friday April 5, at the Imagine Events Center on Military Road during the ArtsxBeats show.

It’s part of a series of “first Friday” shows put on by the Beau Fleuve Music and Arts Festival.

“Each month is a different genre fo music featuring 3-4 performers, artists, a poet, and food trucks,” said CEO/Founder Lindsey Taylor.

This week’s event will feature 6 female artists.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Limited ones will be available at the door.