Biography

Who is Joel Campbell?

Meet Joel

Born in London England, Joel’s professional music career began at an early age with successful auditions as a keyboard player for a music management company for local urban artists such as British guitarist, Ronny Jordan. This affiliation opened doors to multiple world tours as a keyboard player and Musical Director, as well as to roles as an author and producer for Ronny Jordan’s future albums. Joel soon gained recognition for his superb talent and work ethics and became a highly sought-after musician. As a tour pianist for such artists as Des’ree, the Eurythmics, Tina Turner, and Janet Jackson, Joel has performed in countless prestigious venues and collectively before millions of fans.

Joel Campbell holding awarded RC Award
Joel Campbell Red Carpet photograph

With his creative production skills being recognized in the industry, Joel was recruited by a New York production company and left the live music scene to write and produce content for commercial artists. These artists included Carole King, Naughty by Nature, Luther Vandross, Joe, Bebe Winans, Brian Mcknight, and Omarian. The Grammy-nominated song “Coming Back Home” was co-written by Joel, as well as a #1 Billboard chart song “Let’s stay home tonight” by Joe. Joel also wrote songs on the soundtrack for the movie “Hitchstarring Will Smith and Kevin James and “Get Rich or Die Tryingstarring 50 Cent and Viola Davis.

After relocating to Montreal in 2000, Joel continued to commute to New York to record with various artists, but also began working with local artists. International Canadian artist and entrepreneur Chantal Chamandy recruited Joel in 2007 to be the Musical Director for her grand concert entitled “Baladi: A Night at the Pyramids” with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Joel scored the music for the independent movie “Hit by Lightning”, starring John Cryer, Stephani Szostak, and Will Sasso. Shortly thereafter, he was reengaged as Tina Turner’s pianist for her final world tour, Tina! 50th Anniversary Tour. Joel considers his participation in Tina’s last tour 2008 – 2009, and in the “This is it” official Michael Jackson tribute tour in 2010 as two very high points of his career thus far.

From 2017 to 2023, Joel was the Director of Music and Arts at the Resurrection Center Church. Turning his focus to film scoring, Joel’s compositions on the award-winning
docu-series, Who’s Behind Black Art earned him two Best Composer awards: one at The Toronto Art Film Spirit Awards (2023) and another at Reel Harmony Film and Script Festival, UK (2024). Joel has recently completed scoring the documentary feature film Color, scheduled to be released in late 2024. He is the Musical Director and pianist for the IMANI Gospel Singers in addition to collaborating and releasing content with local and international artists. Joel’s history, passion for music and life lessons continue to foster opportunities for mentorship programs and speaking engagements.

Joel Campbell Composer at work

Officicial nominations for Joel Campbell’s work

New York International Film Awards NYIFA Official Selection 2024
Official Selection Art Film Spirit Awards 2023
Official Selection for International Black & Diversity Film Festival (IBDFF) 2024
Official Selection Reel Harmony Film and Script Festival 2024
Official Selection Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival 2024
Official Selection Montreal Independent Film Festival 2024