Life & Work with Joi Keeling of Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Keeling.

Hi Joi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Kenner, Louisiana, and moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina. I started playing piano at nine years old and later earned my degree in Music Theory from the University of Houston. Nearly 15 years ago, I stepped into the world of dueling pianos — an industry where Black women are rarely represented — and built my name through skill, showmanship, and audience connection.

When COVID shut down piano bars across Texas, I didn’t wait for venues to reopen. I launched JoiLux Band and JoiLux Dueling Pianos, pivoting into the private events market and quickly scaling across the state. As one of the top female dueling pianists in the U.S., and a Black woman leading high-energy live entertainment, I’ve built a brand centered on crowd engagement, musical excellence, and unforgettable experiences.

For me, it’s not just about performing — it’s about representation, leadership, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and celebrated.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been very rewarding, but like many women in live music entertainment, it hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced hasn’t been the work itself — it’s been being taken seriously.

I often work in male-dominated spaces where people assume I’m less experienced in areas like audio engineering, composing, or musicianship, even though I formally studied audio and music theory, began composing as a teenager, and play multiple instruments. There have also been moments where clients or vendors instinctively direct business questions to my male bandmates, assuming they are the owner or decision-maker, even when I’m standing right there as the bandleader and business owner.

Those experiences have pushed me to stay focused on consistency, preparation, and delivering high-quality performances. Over time, strong results and professionalism help break down assumptions, and I’m proud to help create space for more women to feel confident stepping into this industry.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a recording artist, producer, bandleader, and live entertainer. Under my artist project, Sugar Joiko, I create music and performances where I’m deeply involved in every layer of the process — writing, producing, arranging, and engineering my work. I’ve always been inspired by multi-dimensional producers like Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and The-Dream, artists who shape sound, storytelling, and performance as one cohesive vision.

Growing up next door to New Orleans and studying jazz piano at NOCCA surrounded me with culturally rich and diverse music that still influences my creativity and versatility today. I’m known for transforming familiar songs into immersive, concert-style experiences through crowd interaction, mashups, and medleys.

Some of my proudest career moments include performing on national television in Japan for two seasons on Nodojiman: A Song for the World, where I performed self-produced remix covers of popular J-Pop songs, including music by Utada Hikaru. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform aboard the Disney Cruise Line in Alaska, where I perform for international audiences each summer.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge technical musicianship, production, and live performance into experiences that feel both polished and deeply personal.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing the results of the hard work I’ve put in over the past decade. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment in building something from the ground up and being able to live a career that I’m passionate about.

Equally important to me is giving back and helping open doors for the next generation, especially young women who are interested in the technical side of the music industry. We need more female engineers, producers, and stage technicians in live entertainment. I’m currently working with Houston Community College’s Spring Branch campus, bringing students on as interns and helping prepare them for real-world careers in live production.

Being able to create opportunities, inspire confidence, and watch others grow within this industry brings me just as much joy as performing on stage.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://joiluxband.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/joiluxband
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/joiluxband
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoiLuxBand