Joya Bravo is the multi-talented, 23 year-old, New York native with a slew of endorsements and a McDonald’s commercial under her belt-  but she wants you to know that she didn’t write those lyrics.

The singer/songwriter/violinist/rapper/actor performed several original songs and several pop covers at Joe’s Pub this weekend.  Seating was abundant in the small venue and the crowd was warm and supportive.

Styled in a sequined, gold bra, a wide belt, sequined leggings, six-inch stilettos, door-knocker earrings and sporting a shaved, two-tone mohawk, Bravo belted out three Michael Jackson covers on her electric violin. There were times when the MJ violin covers were pleasant, such as the long Tremolos, but overall the violin sets didn’t add anything to MJ. At times, it sounded so out of pitch that my ears felt they were bleeding. “That was the first time I played a show with electric violin,” Bravo said.

Afterward, her band joined her onstage for several good, original, pop tunes. Bravo writes lots of love ballads and “Empire State of Mind” type tunes about dreams, success and world domination. Bravo is a good songwriter. Her tunes are easy to sing along with and incorporate a multitude of musical styles such as Ska, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Do-Whop, and Beach. Watching Bravo on stage at Joe’s Pub Thursday, it was easy to imagine big stars like Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado or Fergie singing her songs.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 3, playing violin since 9, singing since 14, and doing theater since high school,” she slaps her thigh vigorously with each new declaration.

Bravo.

TAGS: Joya Bravo, McDonald's Joe's Pub