Jackiem Joyner - Zarya

Jackiem Joyner - Zarya

Author: Alan Warren June 26, 2026 Duration: 32:46

Known equally for his chart-topping work as a contemporary saxophonist and his acclaimed science-fiction novels, Joyner operates at the intersection of sound, story, and emotional truth. Where many artists spend a lifetime refining one voice, Joyner moves fluidly between disciplines—composer, producer, performer, and author—allowing each to inform the other.

Over the course of a nearly two-decade career, Joyner has quietly built a résumé that commands respect: three Billboard #1 hits, eight Top Five singles, international touring across more than 30 countries, and collaborations with legends including Angela Bofill, Najee, Jean Carne, Ronnie Laws, Keiko Matsui, Peter White, and the late George Duke. Yet accolades have never been the destination. Evolution has.

That evolution comes into sharp focus with Every Part Of Me, Joyner’s debut release for Shanachie Entertainment, arriving January 16, 2026. Entirely written, produced, and largely performed by Joyner himself, the album is less a collection of tracks than a fully realized narrative—drawing from funk, soul, R&B, rock, and contemporary jazz to create a body of work that unfolds with the pacing and emotional arc of a novel.

The record marks a turning point. More personal, more transparent, and more deliberate than anything he has released before, Every Part Of Me reflects an artist no longer interested in editing himself for comfort or convention. Themes of fatherhood, belonging, resilience, and renewal are woven throughout the music—not as confession, but as clarity.

“People often see the results, not the rebuilding,” Joyner says. “This album is about allowing every part of myself to stand in the light—the artist, the father, the dreamer, the man still becoming.”

That sense of authorship—creative and personal—is what ultimately defines Jackiem Joyner. Whether through a saxophone line or a sentence on the page, his work invites listeners into something deeper than genre: an experience shaped by honesty, craft, and the courage to keep moving forward.


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For over a decade, the House of Mystery radio show opened a door into the minds of the most imaginative authors in literature. What If? Science Fiction/ Fantasy Writers curates the very best of those conversations, hosted by Alan Warren. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's a deep exploration of the creative sparks behind otherworldly civilizations, magical systems, and the fundamental questions that define speculative fiction. Each episode lets you sit in on a genuine discussion, hearing directly from writers about how they build their universes, develop characters who feel real against impossible backdrops, and where they find their most extraordinary ideas. You'll get a sense of the person behind the pages, their influences, and the sometimes surprising paths that led them to craft the stories that shape our dreams of the future and reimaginings of the past. Tune into this podcast for a thoughtful and engaging archive that celebrates the arts of science fiction and fantasy writing, offering listeners a lasting connection to the voices that continue to push the boundaries of fiction and science.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

What If?  Science Fiction/ Fantasy Writers
Podcast Episodes
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