Chef cooks up gospel CD

The 28-year-old of Arouca, said he has been working on his debut CD for about two years. The launch took place on Saturday July 8, 2006 at the Arouca Revival Tabernacle, John’s home church.

When asked why he decided to name the CD In Your Presence he said, “I believe that it is in God’s presence we find who we truly are, where all our potential is released, and where we are set free from all ills.”

John, who graduated from the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) in 1999, added, “my desire is to see people healed and delivered by the power of Jesus Christ, through my music as it reflects the trials, challenges and triumphs of my own life.” About a year and a half ago, John started his own catering company, “Heavenly Bites,” after working at establishments such as the Lodge Nursing Home and Voyager of the Seas among others. He currently supplies Mario’s Pizzeria in Arima, Trincity Mall, UWI, St Augustine, Chaguanas and Ellerslie with his mouth watering desserts.

When asked why he chose the culinary arts as a career, he replied with a smile, “I always liked food and creating.”

So why does a chef do a gospel CD?

“I have always been involved in church,” said John, “and my mother ensured that from a young age my siblings and I went to church. She also encouraged us to develop our own personal relationship with Christ. I don’t regret that for a minute. I don’t think I missed out on anything,” he insisted.

John has been a gospel singer since the age of 14, when he started singing publicly as a member of the Youth Pulse Choir.

Then in 1998, he won the Local Full Gospel Song Festival with his own composition, “Leaving It All Behind”. He also copped the Best Composed and Best Arranged Song awards for that year. In 1999, he was nominated for Best Male Vocalist and Best Gospel Performance at the TT Music Awards, copping the prize for the Best Gospel Performance. In both 2003 and 2004, he captured second place at the Caribbean Gospel Festival Finals held in Curacao. He also received the award for Most Original Song in those two consecutive years.

The talented father of three has also been sharing his gift with our Caribbean neighbours having ministered in Jamaica, Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda.

On a recent trip to Barbados to promote his work, John said he was well received, having had the opportunity to visit several churches. He was also a guest on the Barbadian gospel station, 790AM, where he was interviewed by the station’s host, Ronnie Clarke, brother of Barbadian singer, Rupee.

On the CD, there are 12 songs, (all composed by John), as well as a video of his performance in the Bahamas at ASAPH 2003, which is a worship conference held every year at Dr Miles Monroe’s church, the Bahamas Faith Ministries.

Asked about what gives him the inspiration to compose such moving words, John stated, “life and relationships gives me all the inspiration I need to write.”

He added that he’s thankful for the support he has been receiving from members of the church and people from his group. He thanked the musicians, Earl Brown, Lenore Syder, Dr Lincoln Douglas, Earl Phillip and his producer Mark Romero. He also thanks his wife Marisha for her great support.

When asked about his plans for the future, the very determined chef and singer said, “My ultimate mission is very complex, but it surrounds the tourism/hospitality community. Both my musical and culinary capabilities surround that mission and I’m working to put it together. However, I aim to become a professional music minister, ie songwriter, singer and arranger. I aim also to be well grounded in the truth, so as to assist those who need restoration of their whole being.”

John firmly believes that In Your Presence is just the beginning for him. Interested listeners can find the album at Cherub Bookstores, Maranatha, Cleve’s, Crosby’s, the Promise Bookstore, and online at cdbaby.net.

Persons can also visit his website at www.iypdalbum.com.