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Bio
Few young women speak with the authority and maturity of Londa Larmond. Even fewer have her vocal talents. With her Pop and Jazz-influenced, R&B-flavoured brand of Gospel, Londa Larmond is one of the brightest talents on today's music scene.
"My music is for everybody and my message is for everybody," Londa asserts. "I don't want to leave anybody out. I want people to know that God hears everything, and He is there for them. He feels what we're feeling. I believe He cries when we're crying. I know He was crying with me. And He is there to comfort you."
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Jamaican parents, Ethan and Evan, Londa's childhood was filled with Gospel music. Her church deacon father is also a musician and singer, while two out of her three brothers all sing and/or play instruments. Not surprisingly, family devotion time in the Larmond household was a musical affair, with everyone singing and playing.
The one rule, she recalls, concerned the type of music played on the family stereo: "It had to be Gospel," she laughs. "Richard Smallwood, Commissioned, or the Clark Sisters!" But you know what I played in my room? Hip-hop, Reggae and R&B. I shouldn't have, but I did!" Londa was singing in church at the age of 7, and began performing professionally at 14 as a featured member of Toronto's renowned Youth Outreach Mass Choir. From there she honed her musical chops as a member of the Gospel Soul Sisters, before joining the internationally acclaimed Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale in 1995.
Londa's escapades with Faith Chorale led to an appearance in the blockbuster film, The Blues Brothers 2000. Under the direction of John Landis, Londa not only performed in the film, but also recorded on the Grammy nominated, Certified Gold (U.S.), soundtrack with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, James Brown, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton.
Debut album, "LOVE LETTERS", is a jubilant collection, offering encouragement and hope in the face of despair. Produced by such industry heavyweights as Michael-Anthony Mooki Taylor (Stacy Orrico, DC Talk, TobyMac, TD Jakes) Asaph "Alex" Ward (Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole), Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker) and Montrel Darrett, the 10-song project showcases Londa's stunning vocal range.
In 2002, Londa's debut album "Love Letters" was acknowledged by international critics and consumers and her list of award credits continues to grow. A winner of the Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best Gospel Recording, Dove Awards nominee for Urban Album of the Year and a JUNO Award nominee for Best Gospel Album of the Year, Love Letters has proven itself to be a sample what Billboard Magazine (18/8/01) describes as an inspiring step beyond more conventional gospel/R&B structure.
Londa's passion for engaging an audience and colourful performance skills results in an explosive combination that is consistently pushing her to the forefront of the pack. Her material introduces a new genre of soulful-jazz and urban-pop grooves. This comes sealed with a timely message of love and inspiration.
