Interview with Gospel Singer Kevin Jarido

TRENTON-- Anwar's Reflections--a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with Grammy nominated gospel recording artist, Kevin Jarido, Friday morning to discuss a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, his latest album, his passion for music,  his faith, and much more.

Jarido, an eighth grade math teacher by day, has quite a story to tell. Before becoming a singer, he had a bout with severe depression while in college. After being introduced to the school choir by his college friends, he was able to in his own words, "dedicate his life to Christ". (*For more information about his life, please see a copy of our interview below*)

Since then, the gospel vocalist  has been singing with the group Nu Virtu for almost 10 years now. Having started out in detention centers and shelters ministering to the least, the last, and the left out, Jarido and his group have now released two albums to date.

Under the guidance and direction of David Evans, Bishop of Bethany New Baptist Church, Jarido and Nu Virtu were able to launch their debut album, I'm Free, in 2008, which spoke to issues of freedom and rejoicing. Their latest project was released in May 2012 and is called Time To Get Up.

Jarido, a Seton Hall University alumni, has been likened to Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker, but the gospel singer tends to shy away from such comparisons. He says he and Nu Virtu have a style and approach all their own.

Jarido said that while creating Time To Get Up, there were definitely challenges, but that he went into the process knowing that, "Anything worth having is going to be difficult". This up and coming vocalist also made it a point to stress the importance of planning and praying as a way to overcome challenges when embarking on any journey that an individual may decide to undertake.

For more information on Kevin and his new album, Time to Get Up, visit his website by clicking here. Or you can like him on Facebook, by clicking here.  To schedule Kevin Jarido and NuVirtu for engagements and appearances please contact Kimani H. Davis, CEO, Transform Agency, at 609-284-2946, or you can email the office at transformagency@aol.com.

For access to Anwar's Reflections exclusive interview with Kevin Jarido along with a YouTube video of one of Kevin and Nu Virtu's songs, please see below:

Vocalist Theresa Noye Releases You Saw Me

Today, Anwar's Reflections-- a Trentonian affiliate-- sat down with up and coming gospel singer, Theresa Noye. She has a new album out called You Saw Me. 

Noye was born in Brooklyn, but now lives in St. Davis, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children, Regal and Nia.

During the interview, Noye speaks about a host of issues, including but not limited to, her album, her family, and the struggles she has encountered during her life journey.

From speaking to the vocalist, I recognize she has quite an eclectic taste for music. Noye said she enjoys everything from Jay-Z to Leah Smith, from jazz to gospel music.

The Brooklyn native never envisioned creating an album, but says she was inspired to put together her debut album, You Saw Me, after finding out that her son, Regal, had been diagnosed with autism when he was only three years old.

Autism is a growing phenomenon in our society. Children with autism usually have a difficult time communicating with others and looking at people in their eyes. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, autism affects one in 1,000 children in the US.

During the interview, Noye said that all of the songs on her debut album are really a window into her "personal worship time", those times she talked to God about the situation with her son's diagnosis, those times she spoke about her pain, and about her family's struggles. Noye says the music was her own way to navigate through the pain that she was wrestling with during her life journey. In the vocalists' own words, she said "the songs were birthed out of my pain".

She and her husband have created Regal's Walk, a fundraising and awareness initiative for the support of Regal's home therapy program and for educating families in the inner city. A portion of the proceeds that come from the sale of You Saw Me will benefit Regal's Walk.

After releasing the album, the up and coming vocalist has received some positive feedback from those that took a listen.

Robin McCollum of WNAP 1110AM Radio said that, "Her music is the reflection of her sincere and pure heart towards God and you can definitely hear that through her honest and straight from the heart sound".

James Robinson, President of Light Records and co-founder of Gospelflava.Com, said that, "You Saw Me is like an intimate conversation with a loved one who then transports you into the presence of God". Robinson later went on to say that You Saw Me "will be a great addition to your worship library".

One of Theresa fans, an individual whose YouTube screen name is Postprodept, said that Noye's title track You Saw Me, feeds her and reminds her that "God has not forgotten his children".

Another individual, whose YouTube screen name is Deeluv215, said Noye's You Saw Me was "simply amazing".

To get a copy of her debut album, You Saw Me, click here. To access her website, www.theresanoye.com, click here. To reach Theresa, you can email her at info@theresanoye.com. For all other general inquiries regarding Theresa Noye and her ministries, please contact her Manager, Gregory Greene at greene@cool-beans.us and be sure to reference Anwar's Reflections.

For access to Anwar's Reflections exclusive interview with Theresa Noye and a video of Theresa's title track, You Saw Me, please see below: