New Jersey native Vincent Walker, Jr. carries on a strong legacy of Gospel music as the Founder & Director of the urban-contemporary singing group, Testimonies of Joy. As a child, music was almost equivalent to breathing to the young Vincent as he watched his father, the late Vincent Walker, Sr. sing and play his bass guitar with soul and power for the likes of Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Royal Travelers, The Morgan Singers, and a host of other Gospel music groups. A singer, songwriter, and worship leader in his own right, Vincent followed his heart and pursued the Lord to live out his musical dreams. Vincent's ministry was birthed in 1991 where he was a member of New Jerseys St. Pauls Fire Baptized Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Nathaniel Simmons. There he served diligently for nine years as a member of the St. Paul Inspirational Choir (today known as Natalie Wilson & The SOP Chorale). He recorded with the group on their sophomore project, Not the Same, where he had the opportunity to display his gift and exceptional vocal prowess on the song, I Am the Righteousness. During that time, Vincent also developed his production skills as he worked under the tutelage of producers/song-writers/arrangers, Joe, Flip Wilson, James Perry, and Derrick Lee.
Vincent has worked with other noted Gospel artists singing background vocals for Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim Burrell, Carnell, Marrell, St. Paul Concert Choir, and doing studio work for Rev. E.T. Byrd, Donald Malloy, and Natalie Wilson & The SOP Chorale. He shared the same stage in leading and elevating praise and worship in concerts for featured artists, such as Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett & GA, Martha Munizzi, Smokie Norful, James Hall and Worship & Praise, Helen Baylor, Lashun Pace, Kim Burrell, and Dorinda Clark-Cole just to name a few.
In 1998, Vincent founded the music ministry, Testimonies of Joy, a group of talented young adults who hit the pavement running and are making a powerful presence on the urban Gospel music scene. Testimonies of Joy placed first out of ten choirs from different states at the Six Flags Great Adventure Choir Search 2001. The group took the trophy for the Adult Group category of the McDonalds Gospel Fest in New York City in 2002 in that same year the group traveled to Paris, France to be featured on the hit stage play Freedom the Opera Gospel. Now you can experience the anointing and powerful sounds of Vincent Walker & The Testimonies of Joy on their freshmen CD release the Book of Testimonies Chapter 1. It hasn't been very long, but God is showing His faithfulness by anointing and setting His approval on Vincents call to obedience.
What an awesome Testimony of Joy!
I created my layout at KillerKiwi.net
