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Joyce Sims brings classic ’80s tunes to Resorts World Casino

Joyce Sims brings classic ’80s tunes to Resorts World Casino
Photo by Eli Odin
By Tammy Scileppi

Musical artist Joyce Sims is back and better than ever.

If you haven’t added her timeless ‘80s tunes to your favorite playlist, you really ought to.

Do you remember when those songs filled the airwaves back when big hair was in? It seems that cool, old school vibes never go out of style. And over the decades, the songs that played on the radio were the background music to your life. You or someone you know may have heard Sims’ hits while driving or out shopping. Did you feel the rhythm when you boogied to the beat in your living room or with your friends at the club?

Sims is known for her funky dance mixes and club anthems, and her songs capture the spirit of the ‘80s when dance music ruled. In early 1988, the singer topped the R&B and Dance charts in the United States and the pop charts internationally. One of her biggest retro hits was the soul/dance ballad “Come into My Life.”

In fact, that song, as well as “(You are my) All and All” — her first hit single in 1987 — have become club classics and can still frequently be heard playing in clubs today and on mainstream radio.

The gifted singer-songwriter has never slowed down. Now in her 50s, Sims is still touring and looking and sounding better than ever, her uplifting voice belting out those still-popular, positive message songs.

She returned to the charts in 2006, with the hit “What the World Needs Now is Love,” the lead single from her CD “A New Beginning.” In May 2012, she released her EP “Running Back to You/Back in Love,” in the UK, where it was well received at clubs and on the radio.

More recently, there was excitement in the air and some serious legendary-ness going on when Sims dazzled the audience and brought the house down at Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, during a show in late September. She had previously performed there for an R&B legends concert.

“It was awesome. This was my first time performing at the 360 Bar, and the crowd was awesome as well,” said Sims, a New Yorker with a special place in her heart for Queens. “The stage is above the crowd; I could see everything. They were dancing, singing, taking selfies.”

Sims performed songs from her album “Come into My Life,” as well as “All and All, which was a true crowd-pleaser. The diva also performed tracks from one of her more recent albums, “Love Song,” which has a special meaning for Sims.

“It consists of stories of falling in and out of love, and how we all have a need to love and to be loved,” she said.

The talented artist writes all her songs and is a trained pianist. She is currently promoting her latest single “All I Want is You.”

“There’s something about it that I find totally refreshing, original and really addictive. Yes, it’s not a typical ‘daytime’ record of the clichéd hands-in–the–air EDM variety, but so what,” said Lewis Dene, who is Sims’ USA East Coast manager. “There’s only so many cookie cutter type records a DJ can play in one hour and sometimes they want something with a little more depth, warmth and longevity.”

Sims has wowed audiences all over New York City throughout her long and successful career, including performances for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, in the Bronx; at Melrose Ballroom in Astoria; a benefit concert for the soul and house music legend Colonel Abrams; and a show at the XL night club in New York City, to name a few.

“I always loved music. It was my dream to be able to write and sing songs that people loved and could relate to,” Sims said. “It was a lot of work, and took a lot of patience for everything to come together, but it changed my life for the better. I was finally living my dreams of becoming a recording artist, and just watching people enjoy my music.”

Throughout her career, the dynamic artist has worked with and met many great performers, most recently Nile Rodgers of Chic.

“Some years ago, I was fortunate to perform on a show with the late great Natalie Cole, who was one of my early inspirations,” she said. “I’ve also performed at festivals with soul legends like Billy Ocean, Melba Moore, Martha Wash, Jocelyn Brown, Incognito, Alexander O’Neal, house music artist Barbara Tucker, Strafe, Ultra Nate, and many more. I also worked with many of the freestyle artists, such as Stevie B. Shannon, TKA, George Lamond, Expose, Judy Torres.”

Sims remembers so many highlights from her years of performing, but there are some that stand out above the rest.

“The most memorable moment happened when I heard my song ‘All and All’ being played on New York City radio. My cousin and I were listening to the radio and it came on. We went wild,” she said. “Another highlight was my first sold-out concert in London at the Hammersmith Ballroom with my band and then there’s receiving my Gold and Silver records for the ‘Come Into My Life’ album.”

The singer’s big break happened in New York City back in 1984, when a studio engineer heard her demo tape of “All and All,” “Lifetime Love,” and “Come into My Life.”

“He liked the tracks and gave me some studio time to professionally record them. Sleeping Bag Records was one of the labels he played the tracks for. I was then signed to the label, where I worked with hip- hop producer Mantronix,” Sims said.

“All and All” was her big breakout hit. According to Sims, it tells the story of love at first sight and giving your heart to the one you love.

The artist said living life and her experiences, served as her inspiration to write her music.

“I write songs about love, being inspired and uplifted,” Sims said. “Many of the stories in the songs I write, I have experienced. I sometimes write from the experiences of others. What I know and feel is love for everyone, and there are millions of stories to tell about that four-letter word,” she added.

Sims has composed all of her songs, with the exception of “Love Makes a Woman,” which was written by Barbara Acklin. She’s currently working on the release of her next single, “Saving All My Love,” for her label August Rose Records, and is also co-writing various projects that are planned for release in 2018.

“I love performing because it makes me happy,” Sims said. “In the future, I’m looking forward to more tours in the U.S. and the world. Also, working, writing, and collaborating with new and established artists and producers.”

The performer grew up in a middle-class family in Rochester, N.Y., the first of five children — she has two brothers and two sisters. Her family also helped inspire her to sing.

“A lot of love was in the home. There was always music and singing in my home,” Sims said. “My mother was a great gospel singer; she had an amazing voice. As a young girl, I started singing in the church youth choir and was always fascinated by musical instruments; the piano was my favorite. I can remember visiting my cousin’s house, who had an old piano, and spending most of my time twinkling on the keys. The piano had broken keys and was out of tune, but it didn’t matter to me. What I heard was music.”

In her early teens, Sims’ parents bought her an organ and lessons to go along with it.

“I started studying music theory, learning to read and write music, which led me to learning to play piano,” she said. “I realized early on my love for music, and my love for music still lives with me.”

The entertainer’s crowd-pleasing performances have taken her all over the world, to Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. And her music has been recorded and sampled by such diverse musical icons as jazz vocalist Randy Crawford, R&B singer Angie Stone, rapper Snoop Dogg, and is featured in the film “Species.”

Sims has already had a long, illustrious career, but has the drive to continue doing what she loves.

“I’m excited about my music and what the future has to bring,” she said. “I love the excitement of being on stage and helping people find a little joy in life through my music and songs.”