5:55 pm - I'm sitting in my hotel room... waiting for the limousine. A few hours ago, Maxwell's stylist and NY Carib News Entertainment editor, were deciding what I would wear on the red carpet (black vintage jacket) and on stage (white Sonia Rykiel's Homme suite with shoes by Valentino). Regina Belle is also slated to perform tonight and Rihanna is nominated for 6 awards. Stepping out onto the balcony, I listen to the waves below on the beach, and feel the ocean breeze against my face... This is a “Soul Comfort” moment.
“Remember the name because he’s going places.” Cassandra Samuel, TV host of Mornin’ Barbados.
This journey started in my father's church in Guyana ... I was 5 when I performed for the first time in church, and 10 when I performed for the first time before a President.
“No stranger to pressure after having performed before the Presidents of Guyana & Trinidad.” – J-Sin
9:25 pm - I'm waiting backstage at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards, holding my guitar. The lights dim and I hear my name introduced. That's my cue. I move quickly... I only have a few minutes to get into position. The stage hand positions the mic and runs into the wings. The blue spotlight baths me and “Love” flows out of me…
“Made an impact on his audience with his voice, his lyrics and his personality.” – Barbados Advocate
“Love” has taken on a life of its own. It is nominated for the 2009 OUTMusic Award for OUTStanding R&B/Soul song. It is featured in the Indie film "Blueprint” which screened at Cannes International Film Festival 2008, and it’s the song I sang at Guyana Fashion Weekend.
“Not afraid to lay his vulnerability out there…” Jimmy Carper – After Hours, KPFT-90.1FM
“Soul Comfort” which features “Love” is my happiness on record, and showcases Carl Evans on Keyboards (Stevie Wonder & Barry White); David Stark on Guitar (Rick James & Teena Marie); Tommy Aros on Percussion (Luis Miguel); and Polydor recording artist Mike Ibrahim. CD mastering was done by Robert Honablue, whose Gold and Platinum credits include Santana, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, and Miles Davis. This 2008 release has been nominated for 2 Velocity Awards - Best Alternative Artist and Best R&B Album.
“Mesmerizing and brilliant” – UK’s Manifesto Magazine
I've had the pleasure of releasing 6 CDs, and filming the unplugged DVD “An Intimate Evening with Nhojj” with Emmy nominated director Bill Cote. Music from my 2001 debut “I've Been Waiting for You” was featured at the International Fringe Festival in the Award-winning play "The Making of the Black Man. My sophomore “Someday Peace Love & Freedom” was nominated for OUTStanding Male Album of the Year, and won Best Musical Performance at Fresh Fruit Festival 2004. “John Martinborough Coming Home” is a gospel CD that features the work of Sam Archer (Barbershop Soundtrack) and is a dedication to my mother. “Love Songs” and “Karaoke Vol 1.” are compilations of the previous four CDs.
“Nhojj is on the cusp of becoming a household name.” Walter Greene, editor of the NY Carib News.
In 1998, after graduating from NYU with a BA in Economics, I decided to pursue a career in music, and made a commitment to help others and raise awareness with the gifts I’d been given. Over the years I've supported Lifebeat (HIV/AIDS), Drug Rehabilitation Programs, Domestic Violence , National Disability Awareness, September 11th Concerts, THAW (Theaters Against War), Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemorations, Gay Prides, Earth Day Celebrations and given talks to high school students.
“Acoustic soul music with a message.” – Greg Shapiro, Windy City Times
12:55 am - We are sitting in the limo heading back to the hotel. All the congratulations and well wishes are now in my heart... all the celebrity pictures are saved, and I'm watching the lights sail by. It's been a successful evening. I would only have a few hours of sleep before filming the Mornin' Barbados TV interview and performance. But right now, I smile, enjoying all the “Soul Comfort” moments I've been blessed with.
“I have no doubt that we will be hearing more from this brother soon…” – blackmag.co.uk
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