Gospel Music, still making History.

Just when you thought Gospel Music had reached its peak in the U.S. And other parts of the world. For the first time in the history of Japan or Asia, this team has managed to record and produce their thousand-voice choir and releases their debut CD worldwide this summer 2015.

The producer of this project, Jett Edwards, is a Tokyo-based producer and Gospel artist who once worked for The Jackson's family label (Jackson Records as A & R Director). Edwards is also a Company CEO, bassist, songwriter and Artist Manager, working with artist and companies such as Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Alabama, Swan Silvertones, Soul Stirrers, Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, The Crusaders, James Brown, Dionne Warwick, Leon Ware, The Temptations, George Benson and Motown Records.

He recently partnered with a Japanese Gospel entrepreneur, Jenna, and established a new record label called Lifeline Records. Jenna runs the largest Gospel music school franchise in Japan with approximately 2000 members nationwide. Their goal is to teach “True and Traditional” Gospel to Japanese people, as well as to introduce The Japanese Gospel and Inspirational music scene to the rest of the world.

The popularity of Gospel music in Japan has been rapidly growing for the past 20 years, since the movie “Sister Act” became a hit in 1992. Today, there are hundreds of Gospel choirs throughout Japan, not necessarily in churches, but in music schools, social clubs, etc. Gospel music has turned out to be one of the new popular “hobbies” among Japanese people, from kids to senior's.

They enjoy singing Edwin Hawkins, Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence and Kirk Franklin. Oh Happy Day has become a popular song, sung at weddings. Harlem Gospel churches in New York have become a very popular “sight-seeing” spot among Japanese people.

“However, not many of them know what the true Gospel is, where it comes from and the message it brings,” Edwards says during his “Gospel Truth” tour 2014. Certainly, there is a power in Gospel music and it breathe's in me. Many Japanese people shed tears while singing the　Gospel, not knowing what it is that's making them feel this way. Edwards says man that's my cue, to introduce the Trinity. God is really using the power of music to touch the hearts of Japanese these days, and they will learn much more about what's behind the music, through this recording and other future projects.

This groundbreaking project lets Japanese Gospel choirs, directors and singers work in partnership with an American producer, musicians, engineer and promoters for the first time in history. Many Gospel choir directors were thrilled to hear about this project and eager to join. JAPAN MASS CHOIR consists of over 50 local directors, with each their own choir members. We also recruited participants through other media such as social networks, newspapers and radio shows.

The rehearsals started in January of 2014, in different parts of Japan. The joint rehearsal and recordings and music video shoot took place March, 14th, -15th, 2015 at Aoyama Gakuin University hall in Shibuya, the culture center of Tokyo. The CD entitled “ POWERFUL” (Living In His Body As One), will be released in the States and other countries in early July. Downloads are available at all online outlets. There will also be an 35 minute documentary DVD available.

An eleven day Southern Gospel Tour, is being set in place from July 11th, - July 21st, 2015. The tour will be based out of Kings Mountain and Charlotte, N.C. Spreading throughout Asheville, Durham, Raleigh, S.C. G.A. and hopefully Nashville Tennessee.

If you are interested in supporting or becoming a Sponsor of JMC's Southern Gospel Tour please contact us at: info@japanmasschoir.com

Sponsorship packages / Donations are also available, please send an email to request your package or find out how you can support.