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"I write because I love it," Joan Armatrading reports matter-of-factly on her website. For many of us, this three time Grammy Award winner's music shines with the same kind of straightforward eloquence and that's why we're huge fans. And while admiring her artistry is easy, she's worked hard to parlay her gift into a career, repeatedly defying expectations.
Born in the West Indies but brought up in Birmingham, England, she rose to the top, producing 19 albums of her personal and eclectic music. Though she maintains a low profile and generally eschews the rock star lifestyle, she's been recognized by some pretty heavy hitters: VH1 named her to its list of top 100 influential women of rock, and Queen Elizabeth (not known exactly as her Rock 'n Rollness) honored her with an MBE, the Order of the British Empire. As Huffington Post wrote earlier this year, "She continues to be one of the most admired and respected singer-songwriters on both sides of the Atlantic." And she still seems to love defying those expectations: in 2009, at 58, she ran her first marathon -- the New York City marathon -- raising money for the Women of the Year Foundation. Also, after five years of studying, Armatrading reached one of her lifelong goals, to receive a university degree in history. Catch her at Ridgefield Playhouse on July 16 at 8 p.m. and in all likelihood, she'll transcend your expectations as well. Tickets are $65 and $75. For more information, visit Ridgefield Playhouse's website.
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