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The saying goes, "Good things come in small packages." Listening to gospel vocalist Priscilla Jones, one realizes the cliche' is true indeed. Petite and diminutive in stature, Jones' size belies her big voice. Her power-packed vocal abilities can be attributed to sheer musical maturation. Since the age of two, Jones has been ministering the gospel across the country. Her 'debut' performance was at the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo, California. It was there that she first belted out "Jesus Loves Me". She continued to share that message of divine love to encourage others throughout the San Francisco Bay Area during her teen and young adult years. Jones, generously shares her music. Music was basically "birthed" in her. Her mother served as a church musician in Tennessee. Her father sang with various quartets throughout the Tennessee and Mississippi areas. If inheriting "musical genes" is not feasible, well maybe inheriting vicarious musical genes are. Her godfather, the late Rev. Paul Foster, was a member of the renowned Soul Stirrers. Jones, an Oakland, California native, who grew up in Vallejo, California, has been endowed with talent galore. She is a songwriter, percussionist, harpist and keyboardist. Armed with these gifts and a love for God, Jones' mission is to minister to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Having served, at various times as: choir directress, Sunday School teacher, in youth ministry, in women's ministry, and workshop clinician, the charismatic singer has a wealth of ministry-oriented experience that enhances her music. Her musical experience has largely been gained through the vehicle of the church. This was truly demonstrated by her twelve year, proactive membership, and untiring involvement with the Gospel Music Ministry, at Second Baptist Church in Vallejo, California. Although her style is a unique mixture of contemporary and traditional, jazz and R&B influences can be heard in Jones' delivery. She introduces a new category of gospel music ... It could be termed " jazzitional ". Jones also aspires to act in theatrical and television productions. The dramatic manner in which she sings is a joy to watch. Yet, nothing can take precedence over her hard-hitting alto vocals. She has lent those vocals to various radio broadcast programs, performances, workshops, and recordings in California, Arizona, Florida, and Chicago. Feeling led of God, Jones journeyed to Atlanta, Georgia in 1993. Upon her arrival, her pace did not slack. She became a member of the Hunter Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Continuing her dedicated service unto the Lord through the Youth and Music Ministry Departments. During her seven year stay, in the new "Music Mecca", she made numerous appearances, and Georgia proudly claims Jones as its own. Jones has made her presence known from the east coast, to the west coast. The advent of the 1990's, to current day, has brought opportunities for her to serve under the direction of, and appear with the late Rev. Donald Vails, Sis. Shirley Berkeley, Edwin Hawkins, Moses Tyson, Diane Louie, Steven Roberts and the late Phil Moore, just to name a few. Not to mention background vocal appearances on Pastor Fleetwood E. Irving's Gospel Music recording, Tandem Records-California, and Dottie Peoples, "On Time God" AIR Records-Atlanta, Georgia release. Additionally, Jones has appeared on Atlanta, Georgia's cable television show, "A New Look In Gospel" and Vallejo, California's cable television special "Second Baptist Church Anniversary and Choir Reunion Program". During the Lord's year of 2005, the members of the ASCAP Board, elected and welcomed Jones into membership, as both a publisher and composer. After twelve years, Jones has returned to the San Francisco Bay Area. Armed with the same love, and the same passion toward the cause of Christ, as she continues to serve the only true and living God. Now, Priscilla Jones is rising to the forefront, with her first, independent, recorded single, of original material, early-release: May, 2006. Jones was honored by the Black Music Association Academy of America, at the 2007 Bay Area Black Music Awards. She received the: Best Gospel Artist-Female Award, and gave a live performance at the April 15, 2007 Awards Ceremony. This, coupled with her upcoming Live Recording, Video Taping and Concert on July 21, 2007. With an anointed theatrical sound, explosive delivery and a commitment to the cause of Christ, Jones is destined to become a true gospel diva. This small woman, with the big voice, serving a great God, will enjoy mass appeal !. Written by: Evangelist Yolandria Jones-Totten Atlanta, Georgia
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Fact Sheet SONGWRITING* *Debut Independent Recording of original material, Vallejo, California 2006 14th Annual Gospel Music Workshop & Academy Second Baptist Church, Vallejo, California *Debut of original material 1993 LEAD VOCALIST and DIRECTING Hunter Hill Mission Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA 1994 - 1997 Second Baptist Church, Vallejo, CA 1981 - 1993 Napa State Hospital Chorus, Napa, CA 1990 Sonoma State University, Gospel Choir Directress, Rohnert Park, CA 1982 - 1984 Union Baptist Church, Young Adult Choir Directress, Vallejo, CA 1979 - 1981 APPEARANCES * Capital City Seven Day Adventist Church Spring Gospel Concert, Sacramento, CA 2007 * Daffodil Tea Fundraising Spring Concert, Mare Island, CA 2007 * Reignard School 1st Annual Black History Program, Vallejo, CA 2007 * Alter Call Stop The Violence Program, Oakland, CA 2007 * 19th Annual African-American Spiritual Concert Association Program, Vallejo, CA 2007 * Mission College Christian Rally & Gospel Concert, Santa Clara, CA 2006 * KDYA 1190 AM The Light Interview by: Mashalen Martin, Richmond, CA 2006 * KDYA 1190 AM-The Light, Gospel By The Bay Concert, Vallejo, CA 2006 * Women Following Jesus Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pleasanton, CA 2006 * Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Plaza Dedication Ceremony, City of Vallejo, CA 2006 * California Maritime Academy Debut CD Single Showcase, Vallejo, CA 2006 * Good Samaritan Baptist Church Special Request Musical, Vallejo, CA 2006 * Yuma School District One, 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, Yuma, AZ 2002 * Naval Air Museum, Pensacola, FL 2000 * Dekalb County School Counselor’s Luncheon, Atlanta, GA 1999 * St. Mathews A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, GA 1998 * Holiday Inn Friends and Family Christmas Banquet, Atlanta, GA 1998 * Avondale School of the Performing Arts Choir, Avondale, GA 1998 * Juneteenth Celebration, Oakland, CA 1992 * Napa State Hospital, Napa, CA 1992 * Oakland Auditorium, Oakland, CA 1992 * GMWA Young Adult Choir Anniversary, Vallejo, CA 1991 * Gospel Explosion, Vallejo, CA 1991 * Edwin Hawkins Seminar Choir Anniversary, Oakland, CA 1991 * KDIA: Second Baptist Church Radio Faith Broadcast Ministry, Vallejo, CA 1985 - 1993 * WWHN Chicago, IL: Second Baptist Church Radio Faith Broadcast Ministry 1988 - 1993 * Improv Club, Los Angeles, CA 1984 * Marla Gibbs Memory Lane, Los Angeles, CA 1984 * Jack London Inn, Oakland, CA 1984 ARTICLES/REVIEWS Vallejo Times Herald Newspaper Cover The Arts with Rich Freedman & David Pacheco 2006 Jazz Beat Radio 88.1 FM, The Success Edge with Wil Cason 2006 DeKalb County School System, Counselor’s Newsletter, Decatur, GA 1997 The Georgia Proclaimer, Christian Magazine, Special Music Issue, Atlanta, GA 1995 Napa State Hospital Newletter, Napa, CA 1992 WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION I Create Music ASCAP Expo, Hollywood, CA 2006 Bro. Herman Jones Gospel Music Workshop, Vallejo, CA 2005 Sis. Shirley Berkely’s Gospel Music Workshop, Vallejo, CA 1992 Rev. Donald Vails’ Gospel Music Workshop, Vallejo, CA 1990 & 1991 Phil Moore’s Singers’ Workshop, Hollywood, CA 1984 Annual Second Baptist Church Gospel Music Workshop, Vallejo, CA 1982 - 1993 RECORDINGS Priscilla Jones, Single-Independent Recording (Original Material), Vallejo, CA 2006 Dottie Peoples ( AIR Records), Atlanta, GA 1994 Pastor Fleetwood E. Irving (Tandem Records), Vallejo, CA 1992 TELEVISION The Second Baptist Church Anniversary & Reunion Choir, Vallejo, California-Cable Station 2003 A New Look In Gospel, Atlanta, Georgia-Cable Station 1994 ACHIEVEMENTS Received the Bay Area Black Music Award: Best Gospel Artist-Female 2007 Recorded and Released First Gospel Music Single 2006 Elected into membership - ASCAP 2005 Opened Publishing Company, “Vocal Techniques Music” 2005 Opened business, “Vocal Techniques of the North Bay” as a Vocal Coach/Performance Consultant 1991 Graduate of Phil Moore’s Singers’ Performance Workshop 1984 Talent Competition Winner, in the “Miss Continental” Semifinals 1984 Talent Competition Winner, in the “Miss Continental” Finals - California Pageants 1984