BIOGRAPHY
FROM the singer/songwriter of the classic, "The Temple of the Holy Ghost", comes "Stepping Out In Power", a smooth, powerful & crisp production blended with jazzy contemporary & traditional gospel sounds. In his unique, pure vocal styling, Psalmist Neal Jones has included something fresh for praise & worship, personal prayer time, or for those moments when you just want to "get your praise on" with the choir! The CD includes a re-release of "Temple of The Holy Ghost" originally recorded & released in 1991 with the 3000 voice GMWA mass workshop choir in Minneapolis. Experience it again, for the first time and go into 2004 declaring the Power of the Lord!
ONCE AGAIN this long time favorite of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) is on the scene, this time with his debut solo project, "Stepping Out In Power". His first release from the CD entitled "The Lord Your God" , is a hard hitting cut described by many as having an urban gospel jazz feel. Already a favorite amongst Northwest radio listeners. It has energetic percussions, jazzy undertones, and sleek background vocals. The number one track on the CD encourages the believer to stand in a place of victorious living despite their circumstances. Co-Produced with Derek Clark, the yoke destruction rate on this cut is off the charts!
THE ENTIRE PROJECT captures a mix of songs perfect for choirs, praise & worship and personal prayer & reflection time. In his usual crisp and pure vocal style, this project demonstrates that Neal Jones would be a worthy addition to any gospel music lables line up. He is a full-package artist, demonstrating timeless cross-over appeal. His many years as a Minister of Music and Music Director have shaped his musical vocal and writing style into that which crosses the genres of Traditional, Contemporary Gospel and Christian Music.
He says "I know God has called me to relate to may nationalities of people. He has given me music which extends beyond any one church congregation." This is why Neal believes God has brought him to the point of finally doing his own solo CD project. "I want to change lives through my music. I want to connect with people and bring them comfort through 2 of the most beautiful things in the world to me, which are Jesus, and music. That's why God gave it to me, and I will sing His praises forever."
Neal is a member of the Northwest Gospel Announcers Guild, and says, this call on his life prompted him to write the song "Called To The Nations", a slow melodic tune which reminds believers of the Great Commission. Neal says that he originally thought the song reminded him of the call on his musical families lives "The Jones Family". He says "we are positioned to minister to the nations, and it will happen." Neal plans to travel to other countries and share this unifying song, and one day hopes to do many of his songs in different languages.
HISTORY
Being third born out of a family of seven musically inclined children, Neal began singing at six years of age. He recorded his first album at age 13. It was then that everyone in his hometown of Tacoma Washington knew Neal's natural first tenor, 4 octave voice, was a special gift. Over a combination of thirty-six years Neal has sharpened his vocal talent, song writing, and production skills. In so doing, he has become highly sought after by both Christian and Gospel genres alike. His style is considered highly versatile, and he and his family are well known for their writing of popular praise and worship songs sang throughout churches today. He is considered one of the West Coast leaders in songwriting, praise & worship, choir, and vocal technique.
His pure and powerful vocal arrangement of the touching song "Use Me" (Integrity), written by is brother Dewitt Jones, is still a favorite amongst radio audiences today, and played on may stations throughout the country. In his usual unmatched style, Neals writes and sings the kind of music which engulfs both Gospel and Christian music listeners alike. Through his music he transitions you into an atmosphere of hope, encouragement, and warmth.
He has been committed to over twenty years of serivce as a Minister of Music in West coast ministries. He has sang and worked with many nationally known artists such as The Clark Sisters and the infamous Mattie Moss Clark, James Bignon, the late Olanda' Draper, and Donnie McClurkin, and Milton Biggham amongst others. Neal hopes to gain national attention, and a record contract with a major record label. His unquenchable gifts, expertise, and experience in writing, music, producing, and vocals would be an asset to any record lables line up.
The famous Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), has featured Neal's vocal and writing ministry on several of their projects. In 1993 they recorded his popular, and hard hitting choir song, "Temple of the Holy Ghost" on their conference release "Dawn of a New Era". This cut is still highly requested by radio listeners and audiences where ever Neal ministers. And, they didn't stop there- in 1994 he recorded the ever popular and telling "Use Me" with the workshop on their "Live in Indianapolis" conference CD. This song has been recorded in many countries, and languages, by greates such as Fred Hammond, and Ron Kenoly. It is used in many commercials, and television shows as well. Neal was invited back again by the GMWA to sing and record "Here Am I Lord", in 1995, and again in that same year on the West Coast Regional GMWA project, to sing "I Am Persuaded", which he wrote and produced.
As God continued to pour into Neal, he continued to pour out the beautiful and touching love songs unto to the Lord. He gives praises unto the King, in a very tender and worshipful ballad, "Glory and Honor" which was recently recorded by TYSCOT Records on their CD entitled "The Power of Worship", featuring Gary Oliver, Israel Houghton, Morris Chapman and a host of others. Neal, along with other writers in his family are constantly sought out to lend to projects in the way of songwriting, technical workshops, and ministering through music.
Even with his many years of success and blessings, Neal remains a very humble and gracious individual. He and his wife, Judy own and operate a publishing company under which they create, publish, and produce Neal, and the Jones Families music, & musical plays. Originally from Chicago, this family of ministers and pastors, released their first project in 1997 "What A Privilege", under Neals production leadership. It features a mix of worship, praise and gospel songs, lead by a several of the powerful vocalists in the family. All songs were written by members of the family, Neal, Dewitt & Kim, and Preston Jones, formerly of the gospel group SOL (Hendrix Records). You can read more about Neal and His family on their website thejonesfamily.iuma.com.
Because Love is of God, Neal also has plans to release a CD of the many love songs he has written for weddings over the years. Neal has some beautiful songs that put you in the mood for love. He simply expresses the love between a man and a woman, and how deep that can be when God is in the midst of it.
Neal is also a playwrite, and has written two plays one a very powerful Christmas play which features songs that he and his family members wrote for the Holiday season. They are beautiful and timeless peices, and he hopes to produce the families first Christmas album in 2004.
Neals talents are endless. God has definitely filled this fourty-two year old, stature of a man with a gift too large for the world to hold. We look forward to partaking in the many treasures Neal has yet to express through his music!
DISCOGRAPHY
"Stepping Out In Power", Neal Jones solo debut project, COAH Music, COAH Publishing & Entertainment, 2003
"The Power of Worship", featuring Gary Oliver, Israel Houghton, Morris Chapman, Chris Byrd et al. "Glory and Honor", written by Neal Jones, TYSCOT Records, 2003
Mt. Calvary Christian Center COGIC "Enter Into His Presence" 1999 Conference CD, Deinde Production, BMI Neal Jones, Producer & 2000 Conference CD, Deinde Productions, BMI Neal Jones, Co-Producer, Singer, Songwriter
The Jones Family, "What A Privilege", Deinde Productions, 1997 BMI Neal Jones Producer, Singer-Songwriter
"Use Me" Ron Kenoly, God is Able, Integrity Records & Deinde Productions, Publishers, 1994 BMI Neal Jones, Publisher, Kim & Dewitt Jones, writers
"West Coast Regional GMWA" - "I Am Persuaded", sang and written by Neal Jones, 1995
"Torch Bearers For Excellence" GMWA "Here Am I Lord", sang by Neal Jones, 1995
"Live In Indianopolis" The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) "Use Me", sang by Neal Jones, 1994
"Dawn of A New Era" The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMW) "The Temple of The Holy Ghost", sang and written by Neal Jones, 1993
Read more...