Jkuhl
At 26, Jamaican born Janine Coombs, also known as Janine Jkuhl, seems remarkably self-possessed. Her poise and her confidence literally come through the phone. At 26, you say? Yes…that’s exactly what I’m saying, but I am not saying it in a, “She’s old beyond her years kind of way.” No. Janine possesses a kind of wisdom that typically comes with age and experience and sometimes, heartbreak, but there is also a youthful exuberance, a passion, and a zest for life that infuses her conversation and, yes, her music.
Her music? Not just Reggae, but an eclectic mix of genres that is uniquely her own. Rich. Sultry. Soulful…Buttery… yes, buttery. Janine’s music, like her presence invokes a sensuality that, again, seems older and wiser. She is a paradox. Well educated, yet unassuming. Innocent, yet sultry (Did you watch Coffee?) Sophisticated, yet innocent. Did you hear Coffee?
All one has to do is listen to the music to know that Janine Jkuhl is a star on the rise. Janine is an accomplished performer. Not only does she sing, but she sings her own original compositions—she writes her own music, and she knows her way around a recording studio. She produces her own music and she does it very well, thank you.
I had the pleasure of spending a few precious minutes on the phone with the young artist, and I was impressed. I could tell after only a few minutes that although music is kind of like breath for Janine, she doesn’t write and produce for selfish reasons. It is easy to see that this young lady was raised to be considerate of others. It is easy to see that she’s passionate about serving others.
Connie: Janine told me that she wants her art to be life changing. “Music,” she says, “should impact lives. You never know how the melody and the lyrics you compose can change someone’s life. Even to the point of revolution.”
Photo Courtesy: Janine Jkuhl
I asked Janine if she had a quote to share with our readers. For her, “Nothing happens before it’s time.” She explained how important it is to be patient. You may want something very badly. You might need a car, or you might need money, but you have to understand that these things take time. It takes time and sometimes we’re not willing to wait for the things we want, the things that we may not even be ready for. For young artists trying to follow in Janine’s footsteps, she stresses perseverance.
I asked Janine about her creative process and how she comes up with the material for her songs. She told me that when she writes, she imagines a movie. Often, her ideas start with common, everyday things, people, and events around her–the things of real life. She might read something in the newspaper, catch a phrase from a conversation, or see something in her surroundings that spark an idea, a word, and a picture. From there, she says the pictures and images shape the screenplay in her head and lead to the lyrics. It is not hard to listen to her music, to hear the rhythmic beats and the heartfelt lyrics and be transported right into Janine’s screenplay. It doesn’t get any better than that. What follows is more information we got from an interview with Janine. You will want to be sure to watch out for this talented and beautiful young lady. Her star is definitely rising. In fact, I am predicting that her cool, crisp sound, the melodious color and the light which takes us right into the music, and right into her heart, is sure to catapult this lovely right to the top!
Photo Courtesy: Janine Jkuhl
We asked Janine how she got started in the music industry.
Janine: I got started in high school when I joined the school choir. I started singing first soprano solos. I began writing songs and performing them at school functions and events. From there, I branched out from school events to birthday parties, social events, concerts and shows.
What inspired her to pursue music?
Janine: The love of music and the support I received inspired me. I had support from my family. They are my biggest support, but I also have a lot of close friends who are just as creative and supportive too. I love to write music! I get great joy from being on stage, performing with a band, or with an orchestra, or just jamming with my guitar.
What is Janine passionate about?
Janine: Music, of course. What else? I am very passionate about music, about sound and creativity. Stepping out of the box and being different; creating music that inspires someone to feel good, and building a positive vibe. I am passionate about all of it!
Janine: I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. My father was a native of Kingston, and my mother is from Clarendon, Jamaica. My parents believed in the value of a solid, thorough, and comprehensive education for their children. As a result, my siblings and I had a well-rounded educational experience, starting, first, in the home—where I learned from my Ma, my Pa, and my siblings. I went to a Montessori School up until age four, and then I moved to a pre-prep school and graduated from there to attend Dunrobin Primary School. I was the first set of Jamaicans to take the GSAT exams, which I passed to attend The Queen’s School for Girls.
Janine: At the Queen’s school, an all-girls High School located in Kingston, Jamaica, I was fortunate to study under the tutelage of choir director, Michael Sutherland. He trained me in my high school days–introduced me to classical music and taught me to sing in German, Italian, and French. After high school, I attained my degree in Jazz and Popular Music Performance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. I graduated with Honours.”
We asked Janine if her family was into music.
Janine: My family has a deep love for music, no matter what the genre of music played, music is music. My family has a very interesting musical background on both sides of the family. On the paternal side of my family, my great grandparents had a family choir comprised of immediate family members, with my great grandmother playing the organ. On my mother’s side of the family, my Ma’s grandfather played the double bass, and my grandfather played the harmonica. His brothers were also musically talented. They played the saxophone, the double bass, and the guitar.
We asked Janine how she would describe her style of music, and from whom does she get her musical inspiration.
Janine: My music is a fusion of indie-alternative, reggae, pop, rock and jazz, and my inspiration is from an eclectic mix as well. I get my inspiration from different artistes, and from many different genres. When I listen to different genres, I get inspired by the different sounds, and by the creativity that the artist has put into a song. It’s hard to break it down to a few, but here goes. I get inspiration from, Tessanne Chin, Dido, Sarah Brightman, Barbra Streisand, Lara Fabian, Enya, Sixpence non the richer, Richie Spice, Bob Marley, Queen, and The Beatles.
We asked her what are some of your favorite songs published recently.
Janine: Drake’s “One dance”, “Faithful” by Ibeyi, Lorn “Acid Rain”, The Bird and The Bee “We’re coming to you”, Clean Bandit “Tears” Jorja Smith- “Blue Lights“, Emily King “Sleep Walker“, Lee Hi “Rose” Chronixx “They Dont Know” and Raging Fyah “Nah Look Back”
Photo Courtesy: Janine Jkuhl
We also asked Janine to tell us a little about her new solo/track/album?
Janine: “I’ve recently released three new singles: “Tempted”, “Your Smile” and “Coffee”. The music video for “Coffee,” produced by video director, Marz Jackson, premiered in September 2016. All three songs are related in that they are all songs talking about love and the effects that love has on a person. All three songs are a fusion of reggae, EDM (electronic dance music), alternative, soul, and jazz.” All three songs are hot!
As for her new album, “It’s a work in progress, so at the moment I can’t give a specific time, but fans can look out for new music soon, and, Yes, I’m working on producing some songs I’ve been writing and completing my second album. Expect the unexpected!”
We asked Janine if she has any advice for people who want to become music artists or producers.
Janine: Educate yourself about the music industry, listen to various genres of music, whatever you do, don’t limit yourself or let anyone place you in a box. Think of the stars who have stepped out of the box- Prince, Freddy Mercury, and Elton John. Don’t be afraid to step out of your box, whatever that is.
Janine is very appreciative of her fans. “The love and encouragement that I receive from fans definitely motivate me to continue creating quality music.”
Fans can find Janine’s music on Amazon, Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Play Store, CDbaby.com, YouTube, Spotify and anywhere online you can think of that sells digital music online. You can also connect with Janine on her Facebook Page- Facebook or visit her website at Janine Jkuhl.
You will not be disappointed.
Janine Jkuhl: Kind Regards and Blessings
CaribDomain Author & Sr Editor ~ Connie Spruill, CEO MyGirlfriendzPlace