CANADA’S SOUL / R’N’B SENSATION HAS NEW ALBUM AND IS READY TO TOUR.

INSPIRATIONAL….THAT’S MEADE’S MUSIC.

Right before our very eyes Jennifer Meade has grown into a DIVA. She categorizes her new album as inspirational.

Born in Montreal, Meade grew up in a very religious household; both her parents were very involved in the church.

Meade was barely allowed to listen to anything but gospel music, save for some Elvis Presley and country great Jim Reeves, courtesy of her more slightly open dad.
Meade began singing in the choir almost from the time she could speak. At age 12 she formed a gospel group with some friends dubbed themselves. The Harmonettes.

Shortly thereafter she joined another inspirational group called ‘’A touch of Heaven’’ with whom she traveled extensively and met such musical luminaries like Quincy Jones Michael Bolton, Paul Anka, Take 6, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, and ultimately Kirk Franklin. The experience also allowed her to share the stage with gospel stars like Hezekiah Walker, James Hall, Orlando Drapper and Ricky Dillard.

At the Age 15 CBC’s Second regard program chronicled Meade as a young prodigious choir director as she continued to build a name in the local industry.

But it was around 1992 when Meade eventually ventured into the world of secular music Recording and performing with local R’N’B talents such as Freddie James, Carl Henry and The R’N’R Soul Orchestra. After about a year of that, Meade said she felt spiritually motivated to move away from that.

‘’Something just told me it was time to get back to the church (and gospel music),’’. So she moved away, although she continued ‘’to listen to hip-hop and R’N’B music, but jus could not perform it.’’

It was around that time that Kirk Franklin emerged on the scene, opening up the gospel genre by incorporating hip-hop and soul elements into his music to attract a younger audience.

Meade who had been battling her desire to remain devoted to her faith and at the same time grow musically now had a blue-print in Franklin’s success. ‘’I started listening to Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, and CECE Winans and all of a sudden I was inspired to climb back into it (the recording industry).’’

Today highly inspired and motivated and with the support of Samuel Biks, the head of her record label SAMJAM MUSIC, Meade is set to make her mark on the gospel scene.

Her new album is closer in style to the sounds of blackness and Mary Mary.

Meade comes at a time with an audience open to other forms of Christian music other than that previously expected. ‘’ I would rather call my music inspirational than gospel,’’ she says people have a preconceived notion of the style and content when you say gospel.’’

Meade’s self-titled debut album is spearheaded by the lead off song ‘’Victory’’ a blazing up tempo number begging to be featured in a film. She also has a love song on the album dedicated to her husband called ‘’ I love the way you do’’

With several promotional TV appearances coming up as well as the video ‘’Victory’’ being serviced to everyone from Musique Plus to Much Music.

Meade will also embark on a national unplugged-style promotional tour later to be revamped into a full-blown tour backed by a 7 piece band.

Through all of this, Jennifer continues to teach and operate her singing school ‘’Jam Vocal’’ which she established a few years ago.

For more info on Mead’s album and upcoming appearances log on to:
www.jennifer-meade.com
www.myspace.com/jammeade.

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