JUDY MOWATT was born in Industry Village, Gordon
Town, St. Andrew Jamaica, some forty-five years ago. Her family
was poor and although no one went hungry, they could not afford
a radio in the house. As a child, singing came as naturally to her
as breathing and she was always 'singled-out' for solo spots with
church choirs. While in school, which were Holy Trinity and Kingston
Commercial Schools, she became a member of a dance troupe, which
toured Jamaica and the Caribbean. JUDY'S aspiration was to become
a registered nurse, but by divine purpose, that was not to be. She
later discovered that GOD'S purpose was for her to nurse and restore
healing to the hearts and soul of mankind through her music. Her
earliest influences in the music industry were Aretha Franklin,
Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Dionne Warwick, Bob Marley, Marcia
Griffiths, The Staple Singers and The Soulettes.
A coincidental meeting with two teenage girls who
were earlier in her dance troupe led to the formation of the GAYLETTES,
in 1967. They rapidly became one of the most popular singing groups
on the island after being asked to sing backing tracks for Federal
Records. The Group later recorded several hits on the Federal Records
Label. Although contractual snags forced her to record under other
names, by early seventies, she had launched her solo career with
both soul ballads and reggae tunes. She had a number of hits including
'I SALL SING' (later covered by ART GARFUNKEL), 'WAY OVER YONDER'
and 'EMERGENCY CALL'. She then teamed up with Rita Marley and Marcia
Griffiths to form the I-THREE, who became BOB MARLEY'S backing vocals
when the original WAILERS, PETER TOSH and BUNNY WAILER left the
group in 1974. Their soaring harmonies, majestic costumes and dance
movement (choreographed by JUDY) were -highlights of BOB MARLEY
concerts as they accompanied him on his historic global odysseys.
Meanwhile, JUDY had her biggest solo hit with 'MELLOW MOOD' a BOB
MARLEY composition that became the title track on her first solo
LP in 1975.
Constant touring with BOB MARLEY prevented JUDY
MOWATT from concentrating on her solo career. It was not until 1978
that her landmark second LP 'BLACK WOMAN' was released. Produced
by JUDY and FREDDIE MCGREGOR, the record features several moving
compositions such as 'JOSEPH', (a soulful ballad tribute to BOB
MARLEY), 'SISTERS CHANT, STRENGTH TO GO THROUGH' and the title track
'BLACK WOMAN' celebrating the strength and dignity of black women,
this LP still remains one of the greatest reggae album ever recoded
and produced by a woman. Subsequently, the albums expanded her music
in many directions as she focused on her life as a Rastafarian Woman
and then the special concerns of women. Her third LP, 'ONLY A WOMAN',
confirmed her position as a spokeswoman for issues against affecting
her as a woman, featuring the title tracks 'ONLY A WOMAN' and 'I'M
NOT MECHANICAL'.
The Almighty God has tremendously blessed JUDY
MOWATT. "To whom much is given much is required", that
is what she believes; it is her God given duty to give back to the
society, that nurtured her. In 1994, she spearheaded an organization
called CONCERNED WOMEN IN ACTION, primarily to assist "The
Forth Augusta Correctional Center For Women' to obtain a well needed
stand-by generator. This was accomplished with the aid of the BRITISH
HIGH COMISSION after staging several fund raising concerts both
in Jamaica and in this United States of America. This has since
increased awareness for the needs at this center. JUDY is still
constantly involved in the organizing and planning of many charitable
projects for various institutions.
Although she was a devoted Rastafarian for twenty-two
years, desiring to please God all the way, she suddenly became overshadowed
with a feeling of emptiness and total dissatisfaction. Hunger for
the whole truth arose and led her to numerous churches.
In 1995, a friend invited her to a crusade held
by BIBLIE TEACHERS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY, there was an altar call
and JUDY still remembers wanting to go to the altar, but looking
around at the congregation, it seemed to her, that they could all
read her mind. She could imagine it being in the media the next
day and was not sure that she was ready for that kind of publicity.
However, when the last person walked to the altar, the Holy Spirit
suddenly moved her, from heir seat towards the altar. Midway down
the isle, the preacher held on to her hand and said, "If you
didn't come, I was coming to get you". She prayed for JUDY
saying, "Lord she has searched for you in different places
and the image she has of you is a false representation." The
preacher was a woman from overseas so it was impossible for her
to know hey inner thoughts. This had to be the discerning of the
Holy Spirit. She knew instantly this marked the end of her search.
"Jesus is the Way, the truth and the light."
Several months following that revelation, she came
to face with two of the most difficult situations in her life when
she had to draw on the grace of God through the Holy Ghost along
with spiritual support from her pastor then, Bishop Dr. Sam Vassel
of the Holiness Christian Fellowship and her friends in the Christian
Community.
JUDY MOWATT is now a born-again, spirit-filled
child of God and is now a member of THE BIBLIE TEACHERS INTERNATIONAL
MINISTRIES, since her turning-point experience. She has broadened
her repertoire with a series of gospel songs and is now busily spreading
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She released her second gospel album
entitled "SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW" in November 2OO2.
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