Biography
Born in San Jose, California, Mindy Jostyn began playing her family’s piano at age two. The performance of Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz prompted her, at four, to start composing her own material. By eleven she had mastered the accordion, violin, guitar, and harmonica, and she assembled her initial group, the Tigers. Frequent absences for musical pursuits forced her to attend four separate high schools, after which she left without a diploma. Relocating to New York, she formed the Cyclone Rangers, yet the ensemble failed to attract a wide audience. Her profile rose sharply in 1989 when G.E. Smith, bandleader for Saturday Night Live, contacted her as the sole female harmonica player listed in the New York musicians’ union directory for a Dolly Parton-hosted sketch. A return appearance on the program paired her with Billy Joel, and she joined his touring lineup the next year. Recognition of her abilities led to an invitation from Joe Jackson for his 1991 European and Australian concerts. In 1992 she became a member of Donald Fagen’s New York Rock And Soul Revue and also contributed to projects by the Hooters and John Mellencamp. She appeared on Carly Simon’s 1994 live album and home video Live At Grand Central Station before launching a solo career with the release of Five Miles From Hope, which included the duet “Time Be On My Side” with Simon.
Albums
