Los Angeles based SOUL2SEOUL Entertainment is preparing for the release of the upstart label’s first album. Over a year in the making, SOUL2SEOUL will launch October 25th with And So It Is… the solo debut from Jontez, a former member of the multi-platinum group God’s Property.
Jontez has been performing on the main stage of this fall’s ShoutFest Tour, alongside popular Christian acts like Jump5, ZOEgirl, Skillet, KJ-52, Disciple, Krystal Meyers and others. This Christmas season, he’ll be joining Rachael Lampa, Bryan Duncan, Martha Munizzi, the Kurt Carr Singers and Heather Powers for the nationwide Joy to the World Christmas Tour.
Though a fresh face to many, the Texas-based artist has spent over a decade in the business. A child prodigy at 12, Jontez received regional acclaim via a ministry-focused Tejano band before finding himself in a worship leadership position at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Potter’s House. In addition to his time with God’s Property, where he had the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Erykah Badu, Amy Grant, Jaci Velasquez and Point of Grace, Jontez spent time in the hip-hop ensemble Mankynd, where SOUL2SEOUL labelhead Eddie Kim courted him exclusively in hopes that he would step out on his own.
Jontez has wide appeal from Black Gospel to pop audiences, thanks to his unique blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop and Latin influences. The debut single from And So It Is… is an urban/R&B reinterpretation of WAR’s smash hit “Why Can’t We Be Friends” – co-produced by Howard Scott of WAR.
“My goal is to present who I am and what I’m going through in a way that all can relate and be encouraged,” JONTEZ states in his official bio. “I’m also concentrating on the quality level of every element that goes into the record and have tried tirelessly for that effort to be apparent.”
In addition to his new solo career, Jontez is about to start filming his first major movie role in the upcoming feature film Woman To Woman. He’ll also be making numerous television appearances this fall, performing on TBN’s Praise the Lord, At Home Live!, The Jim Bakker Show, The Harvest Show, G-TV, Spin180 and others.
SOUL2SEOUL has partnered with Lightyear Entertainment in New York for major distribution through WEA and Word Distribution. Lightyear Entertainment President/CEO Arnie Holland said “Lightyear is extremely pleased to welcome SOUL2SEOUL to the Lightyear family. We believe Jontez has the potential to be a major star, and with both WEA and Word distribution, we will do our part to give him that shot.”
Eddie Kim echos Lightyear’s enthusiasm, stating “Jontez is making waves in both the Christian and mainstream markets, and crossing racial and social boundaries along the way. He’s a trailblazer who we anticipate will be around for a long, long time.”
Now in his twenties, Jontez is thankful for the opportunities he has had, telling a recent interviewer that God’s Property was “a wonderful training ground for pretty much any type of situation one could ever possibly have as a performer,” helping him to grow both musically and spiritually. “My prayer is that God would give me the wisdom to deal with it all, everything that may come my way and the people I continue to meet. I thank God for my training – for all the successes and trials – and I pray He continues to keep me strong in what I’ve been put here to do.”
For more information, visit the official website at www.jontez.net. And So It Is… will be released October 25, 2005 by SOUL2SEOUL with distribution through Lightyear, WEA and Word Distribution.
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