A
MAN WITH A MISSION
Sanchez
is one of the all time favorite singer/performer who transforms
his audience into a mass choir at his live performances. He
epitomizes elegance and style and is always splendidly attired
in a formal suit, enhanced with gold chains and bracelets,
giving fans the ultimate in appearance and presentation. His
selection of songs range from soulful R&B to hardcore
Dancehall, Reggae, balanced with religiously calming cuts
that enhance the spiritual vibes of his act.
Entertainment
writer, Howard Hendricks, describes Sanchez’s voice
as "a supernatural gift from a loving God that can out
sing any Nightingale, and he possesses one of the sweetest
male voices in popular music".
At
a recent concert at the Hard Rock Cafe, Disney World in Orlando,
Florida, Sanchez hit the stage dapper-style, in white shoes,
a white three-piece suit and white felt hat. His impeccable
performance matched his immaculate attire.. The consummate
lovers’ rock exponent, whose fan base is predominantly
female, tore down the place, while he was entertaining a full
house. That is indeed the norm for this singer who says "I
love music to the max." Sanchez's strong church background
is evident in his delivery of the song 'Amazing Grace'
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| Sanchez
on stage at the Cross Road night club, Washington |
Born
on November 30, 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica and christened Kevin
Anthony Jackson, Sanchez grew up with his Mother, Father,
two brothers and two sisters, in the Stony Hill and Waterford
Communities under strong Christian
principles.
He says, "I had to go to church every Sunday and often
during the week as well. I was a member of the Rehoboth Apostolic
Church junior choir and later the senior choir where I was
the lead singer. I just love singing and going to church.
However, when I started to attend St. Andrew Technical High
School, I started hanging out with a new set of friends, things
began to change and we would go to parties where sound systems
like Rambo, Small Ax and Crystal would play. I really began
to like the music and went through a period of conflict which
later resulted in me drifting from the church."
The
former choir leader became a selector for the Rambo Sound
system; a system on which many of his close DJ colleagues
such as Flourigan, Lizard and Red Dragon also worked out.
(By this time, he had been renamed Sanchez by his friends.
and soccer team mates because of a highly skilled pass he
made that was reminiscent of the great Brazilian soccer star
Hugo Sanchez). As he gradually moved on to singing at these
parties/sessions, the response he received was encouraging.
Sanchez
soon began voicing for some of the top record producers in
the business: Red Man, Winston Riley and Fattis Burrell. In
1987, Sanchez’s first single "Lady In Red"
was released; soaring to the # 19 slot on JBC Radio record
chart and that was very encouraging for young Sanchez. "It
was a great feeling to hear my song playing on the radio."
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| Receiving
the South Florida 1999 Reggae-Soca Award for best gospel
song. "Amazing Grace" |
His
first hit, the Winston Riley produced, 'Loneliness,' recorded
in 1988, is still one of his biggest hits. In that same year,
he was voted Singer of the Year, Best Up and Coming and Best
New Artist by Rockers and Bins awards respectively. 'Loneliness'
was also voted Song of the Year, and this led him to his first
appearance at Reggae Sunsplash. Since Loneliness, Sanchez
has scored with big hits such as, "Wild Sanchez",
"Love Mi Lover Bad"(a combination with DJ Florigan),
"Fall In Love," "If I Ever Fall In Love Again,"
"Pretty Girl," "One In A Million," "Hello,"
'Amazing Grace,' and "Frenzy.” Frenzy won for Sanchez
the 2002 songwriter of the year award from The Martin International
Awards.
Sanchez
most recent achievements are: An Award from Authentic Real
Music in recognition of Sanchez's 20th year in Reggae Music.
Award from Sanchez's UK Fan Club, for being an excelent Reggae
ambassador to the world. A Crest of the Township of Harrow,
City of London, presented by the Mayor. Receving a Proclamation
and the keys to the city of Hartford, Connecticut, March 5th
2004. Presented by Jamaican born Vice Mayor Veronica Aird-Wilson,
on behalf of the Mayor Hon. Eddie Perez. (See awards and Proclamation
below)
On
November 15, 2003 he was inducted in the International Gospel
Hall of Fame and received the Governor's Cup for excellence
at the Cairbbean American Gospel awards CAGA. The presentation
was made by U.S. Congressman Kenrick Meeks and popular Jamaican
businessman Roy Bramwell of Florida.
Previously
the city of Lauderhill, Florida, rolled out the red carpet
on Saturday night 5th, Feb.2000, in a ceremony presided over
by the deputy mayor, Wally Alfers who awarded honorary citizenship
to Kevin "Sanchez" Jackson and his wife Monica.
the investiture was spearheaded by Chester McCollough, as
part of Black History Month.
Other
accolades he has received are the International World for
Lovers Rock 2000, Ambassador for Reggae. The 1999 Reggae Soca
Awards for the gospel song, Amazing Grace. He has been four
time consecutive winner (1990-1994) of the best dress male
artist, Rockers Award competition. All his clothes are designed
my Monica Jackson.
In
his earlier days, Sanchez was labeled as the singer who does
too many covers; yet by the same token, he was simultaneously
acknowledged as a special singer who received much international
fame and recognition from doing these same covers. Sanchez
explains, "Most times Jamaican producers are more willing
to record songs that people are familiar with. I was able
to break that cycle when I began recording original songs.
My fans stimulated me to write because the critics used to
question my writing ability, so over the years I have been
writing a lot. The first original hit I wrote was 'Brown Eyes,'
for the Shocking Vibes label, it went to # 1 on the Jamaican
charts and did very well overseas. Some of the other hits
I wrote are 'I Cant Wait,' 'Never Dis The Man,' 'Praise Him"
'Leave Out A Babylon,' and of course ‘Frenzy’.
Nuff respect to Fitz Livermore, my guitarist and songwriter,
who composed most of my other originals. I want to big up
the other members of my backing band, Chronic, they are, Oswald
“IG Gordon on Bass, Courtney 'Bubbla' Edwards, Keyboards
and Joslyn “King Speckle” McKenzie on drums.”
A well seasoned group; Sanchez deals with his band in a professional
and considerate manner and the result is like clockwork on
stage.
In
over 18 years of his career, Sanchez has come a long way from
his first performance at a school concert at Waterford Secondary
backed by the Sagittarius band. It was then that bandleader,
bassist/vocalist, Derrick Barnett told Sanchez that he had
a good voice and invited him to come by where they used to
rehearse.
Sanchez
is appreciative of how things have unfolded from the encouragement
received from Derrick Barnett. Today, Sanchez is savoring
a tight-knit family. One of the biggest supports to his well-being
comes from his wife, Monica Jackson and their children Christopher,
Kevin (Jr.), Annastacia, Keviann and Krysann. Since February
1995, Sanmonik Productions has managed Sanchez, which is headed
by his wife. As she pointed out, "since I have been at
the helm of managing his affairs, he has had a heavy schedule
planned every year including tours and studio recording.”
To date, Sanchez has released 28 albums and over 70 singles
and has toured extensively throughout Europe, the USA, the
Caribbean and Japan. He is presently planning on going to
Australia and Africa and is poised for great things there,
particularly in Zambia."
His
latest releases are the new lovers rock album 'No More Heartache'
featuring tracks such as, 'This Heart', 'You make my Day'
and a cover of 'He Aint Heavy', plus reality songs like 'Gun
Town' and 'Love And Unity'; following on the heels of his
second gospel album called ‘He’s Got The Power,’
which was preceded by the secular album "Stays On My
Mind" featuring the hit single "Frenzy."
A
man with a mission, who loves cooking, fashion designing and
music collection. Sanchez has a serene attitude towards life.
When asked about his most inspirational artist, he replied,
"We can't get better than Bob Marley, the one who pave
the way. However, the artists whose songs I used to sing and
tried to sound like them are Brook Benton, Sam Cook, and Tom
Jones. And groups like the Temptations, the O’Jays,
the Manhattans, Delfonics and The Dells." On the topic
of the different artists he has worked with, Sanchez said
"Well, in the studio I have recorded many combinations
with different singers like Marcia Griffiths, Chevelle Franklyn,
Nadine Sutherland, Wayne Wonder, Bounty Killa, Florigan, Macka
B, King Sound, Beenie Man, Sweetie Irie and more. While on
stage, I have been billed with all the leading reggae singers
at different times and have shared the stage on occasion with
The Mighty Sparrow, Peebo Bryson, Ray Charles, The Manhattans,
the Delfonics, the Dells, Donel Jones and Santana and it was
everything I expected. How does he feel about working in the
studio as opposed to working on stage? "Well it's totally
different because working in the studio things have to be
correct, you are relaxed because you can do it over if needs
be. Before you go on stage you still get a little chill here
and there and feel shy because you are human. On stage if
you lose track, you still have to continue, but people hardly
hear it because they are singing along with you.
When
asked about his most memorable stage experience, he smiled
and said. "The most exciting time in Jamaica was Reggae
Sunsplash 1989. I got five encores but did not return for
the final one. And for overseas it was at the Humingburg Complex
in Birmingham England, 1990. Sanchez was equally passionate
when he described his most disappointing experience. "It
is to go to a venue or to be in your hotel, ready to go, only
to hear that the show is postponed or canceled and you had
built yourself up for that moment” he sighed.
Fully
engrossed in his music Sanchez is practicing to play several
instruments. “I play drums, a little rhythm guitar,
piano and bass. I have some rhythms that I made. I am completing
an album called Sanchez Raw, you can look out for that, and
I played all the instruments and did all the voicing.”
He continued, “My aim right now is to try to produce
some young talents who has no one to help them. Sanmonik production
is working with some upcoming artists. We need to keep the
music real, clean, and positive, break it down for the kids
and to practice what we preach.
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