BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 29, 2011 — Double Grammy nominee and current #1 Billboard Gospel Songs artiste VaShawn Mitchell is set to minister at the Barbados Gospelfest 2011 “One Awesome Day” event on Sunday, May 29 at Farley Hill National Park. VaShawn was nominated in the 2011 Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance for “Nobody Greater” and for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for “Triumphant” on EMI Gospel.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL. VaShawn became the assistant music director of St. Mark Baptist Church while barely a teenager, working closely with US renowned choir leader, Lonnie Hunter. Throughout the years, his artistic vision has grown, shaping him into a mature worship leader and a recognized Gospel songwriter. His songs have been recorded by some of Gospel’s most celebrated artists, including Smokie Norful (“Just Can’t Stop”), Vanessa Bell Armstrong (“Help”), and Bishop Paul Morton (“Cry Your Last Tear”).
“I am most passionate about my church ministry,” says VaShawn. “As ministers of music we birth new worshippers and new praisers on a weekly basis. A lot of that is not necessarily singing, but ministering the music that is being sung.”
His fervor for worship and praise can be felt throughout the “Triumphant” album from the enthusiastic high praise opener and the powerful title track to the deeply personal choir ballad “Nobody Greater” and the prophetic hymn “Be Fruitful.”
“Most of the time when I record, I conceptualize the project as a total piece. With this album God gave me the concept and I started thinking about why we are triumphant people. Over the last season, as people have been struggling financially, it seems we’ve been losing our faith. Our faith was misplaced in resources and not in the Source. I wanted to remind people that the blood never stopped working. It enables us to live above what we see,” he adds.
Now in its 19th year, Barbados Gospelfest “Awesome” will be held from May 21-29, 2011 at various venues across Barbados. Acknowledged as the premier international Christian music and arts festival in the Caribbean, the festival comprises six events to suit tastes ranging from the traditional hymns to the modern beats that incorporate the unique rhythms of the Caribbean.
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