GOSPEL SINGER JO-ANN RICHARDS RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO PROMOTES PATWA, LOVE OF CULTURE IN LOCAL WORSHIP

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Kingston, December 16, 2014 – Vibrant words, a catchy tune which reverberates with a cool rhythmic beat; complemented by rich, colourful scenes, and an inspiring storyline, Jo-Ann Faith Richards captivates with her new music video for Notn no De, an inspirational song  encouraging faith in God and His omnipotence.

The song comes from her Kom Mek Wi Worship album which she hopes will motivate Jamaicans to celebrate and worship in their heart language. Notn no De is based on Luke 1:37, and was composed just three weeks before the album was released. It speaks of God who “part di Red Sea, set all di the captive dem free, send Him Son through di Virgin Mary”; showing God’s power to master a myriad of circumstances, which to humans would seem inconceivable and impossible.

The music video which was launched yesterday at Calvary Gospel Assembly, corner of Molynes Road and Sundown Crescent, takes viewers on a musical journey, a self-assured walk with faith. The video features a parallel story of a professor who insists that there is no God. Viewers are pulled into that narrative while watching the vibrant scenes shot in different locations in Kingston and St. Andrew and listening to the addictive melody line.

Richards said the songs on Kom Mek Wi Worship were written over a six-year period, each originating from a distinctive experience. The inspiration came while she was serving as a missionary ethnomusicologist with Wycliffe Bible Translators, first in West Africa and later in Central and South America. As she worked with village church musicians, helping them to write new songs for church using their own languages and their own music forms, it dawned on her that her own home country did not have what she was helping other cultures to develop.

As such, Kom Mek Wi Worship was born. The album is a collection of twelve Scripture-based songs in the Jamaican Creole (Patwa), with a fusion of indigenous Jamaican music genres and styles, including reggae, dancehall, rock steady, one drop, nyabinghi and mento. Since its launch in Reggae Month 2012, this album has been touching the lives of children, the young and old, across the country, in the diaspora, and non-Jamaicans overseas. Jo-Ann's unique style which blends traditional sounds with contemporary flavour somehow “connects with the people”, and “connects people with God”, as is the testimony of one exuberant fan.
Although most of the songs were written by Richards, The first song, Laad Yu Gud was composed by Damion Hylton while he was her student at the Jamaica Theological Seminary. Reflecting on the music video for Laad Yu Gud, first out of the pack from the album, and released in November – Jo-Ann describes it as a powerful testimonial about the omnipotence of God, encouraging people all across the island to praise Him, the King of Kings. The song, which features Hylton as the DJ on the verses, was shot at locations in New Kingston and Eastern St. Andrew, and features several scenes with the duo exercising their vocal talents, belting out the catchy lyrics, and having a good time.
   
A woman of many talents, Jo-Ann is an author, singer, songwriter, teacher and ethnomusicologist, with a passion for loving people by validating their culture, a critical aspect of which is her own Jamaican language. She explains that as an ethnomusicologist, she studies music in its cultural context, and that the field is a blend of both musicology and anthropology. Jo-Ann also guides people with composing Scripture-based songs that use their own language and music.

Jo-Ann holds a Bachelor's degree in Theology from the Jamaica Theological Seminary (JTS) and Masters in Ethnomusicology from Bethel University in Minnesota. She was a singer in various gospel groups in Jamaica and is a published songwriter, with more than 20 songs, including material specifically written for children, to her credit.

“This new venture has been awe-inspiring and fulfilling, taking my ministry into a new sphere. I strongly believe that authentic worship must take place through culturally relevant expressions, so it is my desire that Jamaicans and those who love the Jamaican culture will be happy to add these songs to their worship repertoire,” Jo-Ann said. “I love my culture, and being able to share in song, and now videos, means that I can celebrate and connect with my fellow Jamaicans, share their stories, and help them to feel proud of who we are, and to connect with God on any level, with confidence.”

For further information see the links below:
Youtube Video: Notn no De https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIoum4Vhk_k
Youtube Video: Laad Yu Gud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyAbcHLKs5Q                            
Kom Mek Wi Worship is available online on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.                 

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About Jo-Ann Faith Richards
Jo-Ann Richards is an ethnomusicologist, teacher, author, singer/songwriter, and world citizen, having ministered on almost all the continents. A past missionary with the Wycliffe Bible Translators, she now serves as head of the Music and Media Department at the Jamaica Theological Seminary. She is also a long-standing member of the First Missionary Church and Founding Director of CREW 40:4, a non-profit organization established to promote love and unity in Christ through culturally relevant expressions of worship.