A TASTE OF HONEY
featuring Janice-Marie

When Janice-Marie Johnson (then a member of the girl group the Quniques) auditioned for Princess Cruises in 1970, A Taste of Honey was born. Over the next several years she'd play bass with a trio that included keyboardist Perry Kibble (whom she'd met at those auditions) and another female guitarist. When the guitarist left, Janice scooped up Hazel Payne in '76 at an audition for another group. They were "discovered" by producers Larry & Fonze Mizell when the group played at a wedding that the brothers were attending. From there they were signed to Capitol Records and performing gigs at the Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA.

Janice-Marie is unquestionably not a new kid on the block. Nor is she unfamiliar with the intricate machinations of the music industry. As founder and principal songwriter of the internationally acclaimed and Grammy award winning group A Taste of Honey, Janice-Marie is back in the spotlight that has long been her home.

A brief glance at Janice-Marie's musical accolades may seem daunting to both insiders and outsiders alike. A Taste of Honey's self-titled debut release, rocked the record industry in more ways than one. The release featured the multi-platinum international smash hit 'Boogie Oogie Oogie', a Janice-Marie penned composition, which garnered the group a Grammy. 'Best New Artist of the Year'. Janice-Marie was also nominated in two additional categories: 'Best R&B Single' and 'Best Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo', a phenomenal accomplishment for a new group. Janice-Marie, with the group A Taste of Honey proved their success was no fluke. Their second release, 'Another Taste' earned the group even more international acclaim. The album received the coveted Gold Prize in the 8th Annual Tokyo Music Festival. During that same awards ceremony, Janice-Marie was honored with the Gold Prize for songwriter. 'Do it Good', another Janice-Marie composition, as well as the 'Another Taste' album were also certified Gold in Japan.

When speaking of Janice-Marie, some may say success comes easy. But perhaps it's more fitting to say, success comes naturally. As Janice-Marie resumes her rightful place in the forefront of the music arena, she is once again positioning herself as a formidable contender. Her unique sound and style is completely versatile. 'I like a variety of music. Classical music in the morning, Reggae in the afternoon. And in the evening I like to get my boogie on. At night, when the moon is right, give me love songs! I'm a ballad, fireplace, take-a-walk-up-in-the-hills sort of person,' says Janice-Marie. To this end, her music punctuates her diversity of spirit, a diversity that was successfully exhibited with the international mega hit 'Sukiyaki', released on A Taste of Honey's third Album, 'Twice as Sweet.' Japan's Kyo Sakamoto's 1963 hit 'Sukiyaki', re-written by Janice-Marie in English and produced by George Duke, resulted in another Gold record and more international acclaim.

In 1984, Janice-Marie took a much needed and well-deserved hiatus. Although, Janice-Marie stepped off the stage, she never strayed far from her music. Over the years she has collaborated with such artists as rap artist Ice Cube for 'Gangsta's Fairytale 2', from the 'Predator' release, Positive K, on the certified Gold release, 'I Got a Man,' and Prince Markie Dee on 'So Very Happy'.

Janice-Marie's music can also be heard in several television commercials including Coca-Cola's Classic Coke and Rold Gold Pretzels for Frito Lay Inc. Currently, her music is also being featured in a Burger King commercial.

Janice-Marie has been a featured guest on the 'Caryl and Marilyn Show,' and her music has been showcased on a variety of television shows including, 'Muppets Tonight,' 'The Nanny,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' 'Homeboys from Outer Space,' ' VH1,' 'Nothing Sacred,' and HBO's 'Breast Men,' to name a few.

In more recent years Janice-Marie has returned to the stage with live performances at the Universal Amphitheater where she was featured as the opening act for MCA's recording artist, Al Green. She has also performed with Lionel Richie and Gloria Gaynor to a full house at the Hollywood Palladium. Janice-Marie 1999 tours dates include North Carolina, Louisiana, Connecticut, Boston and San Diego.

Throughout the years, Janice-Marie's music has been covered, sampled and borrowed many times. Her music of yesterday is greatly responsible for the successes of numerous 'R&B,' 'Pop,' 'Rap' and 'Hip Hop' hits of today. Her music has a life of its own. 1998 produced four European covers including the new Peter Andre's single, 'All Night, All Right,' and Martin Carboo, a European recording artist, is climbing the charts with 'Boogie' (his version of 'Boogie Oogie Oogie'). In the United States and Japan, her song 'Delicious' is featured in the blockbuster movie, 'Step Mom,' and her music was also featured on MC Lyte's album 'Seven and Seven.' Her music is still widely played both here and abroad and now she has a new, younger generation of fans that have come to love 'Boogie Oogie Oogie' just as those of us who were around in the 70's.Recently, 'Sukiyaki' (with English lyrics written by Janice-Marie), was once again certified Gold, selling over one million copies for the recording group 4PM.

Janice-Marie's CD, 'Hiatus of the Heart,' was released, September 6, 1999. Alice O'Neill of Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes writes in her review of 'Hiatus of the Heart', ... 'she seduces listeners with her vocal art and guitar expertise. She gives new meaning to the age-old longing to be free, in all its manifestations.' If after listening to the 'Hiatus of the Heart' CD you find yourself inspired and uplifted, don't blame it on the 'Boogie,' blame it on Janice-Marie. 

Itineraries Book A Taste of Honey feat/Janice-Marie