Ms. Jody

Born Joanne Vertie Delapaz on November 10, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, the artist who performs as Ms. Jody brings a modern sensibility to classic Southern soul through her work as an R&B vocalist. Her candid, often humorous songs about everyday experiences in life and love have made her a regular presence in blues and soul scenes. When she was two, her family relocated to Bay Springs, Mississippi, the town where she continues to make her home. Her minister father raised her amid gospel sounds, and Delapaz recalls singing from her earliest memories, including childhood performances directed at birds and animals in the rural setting. In 1975 she advanced to appearances at her father’s church.

She maintained church singing duties for more than twenty years until her father’s death and the close of her first marriage led to an extended break from music.

Delapaz’s return began in 2004 when she accompanied her brother to a blues event headlined by Denise LaSalle; the performance prompted her to pursue R&B vocals. After developing her technique, she formed ties with the local R&B ensemble Total Control, whose members arranged an introduction to Morris J. Williams. The songwriter and producer, already active with Ecko Records, guided her through initial demo sessions. She then delivered the recordings directly to the Ecko offices, where staff recognized her fit for the roster and offered a contract.

Under the name Ms. Jody, she issued her first album, You're My Angel, on Ecko in March 2006, followed by What You Gonna Do When the Rent Is Due? the next November. Her direct and knowing style drew steady support from Southern soul and blues listeners, resulting in ten original albums for the label between 2006 and 2016. Regular live work took her to clubs and festivals throughout the South and West, with occasional dates added in California and the Midwest. In 2017 she released I Got the Feeling while sustaining a consistent touring schedule for audiences.