Official Bio

At the very foundation of reggae music is the drum and bass; those primal elements that make it so distinct and utterly powerful. At once soothing and earth shaking, roots reggae is a musical genre that is loved across the world by people of all nations. If you look hard enough (and often you don't have to look that hard), you'll always find staunch supporters of the underground phenomenon of reggae. Seemingly operating under the radar of popular music save for the odd crossover, strangely it survives and continues to grow.

One would be shortsighted to examine only the musical component of reggae--known to some as a type of electric folk music. When one mines the lyrical riches of the roots, he will undoubtedly strike veins of worshipful thanks and praise to the Almighty, stark and inspiring biblical references, social and political commentary and relational love. Where the way of harmony with the Creator, affinity for those core musical elements and progressive artistry intersect, you'll find the man known as Jah Servant (born Mark Giles). Clearly, he sees music as a most viable medium for communicating positive messages for the improvement of humanity. He states, "I believe music is a very powerful weapon and a tool for reaching others."

Hearkening back to the very musical and spiritual roots, yet looking forward may seem a contradiction, but it isn't. All is reconciled when placed within proper context. Jah Servant is the son of a Minister who has come back to reclaim his position and find his identity in Christ. Being raised in the church proved not enough to satisfy his deepest longings. One day, he said, "It's like I realized you can't mess around with God--it's either all or nothing." This was the point when he made a serious commitment to give his life and all his abilities to God, to be used for His glory. Regarding the Jah Servant moniker, he thoughtfully says "It's not a name as much as what I strive to be. If I can be known as anything, I'd rather it be as a servant of the Most High because I'm nothing without Him anyway." In surrendering all of his musical talents to Him, he has found the result to be immeasurably rewarding. "I've given my talent to God and He's given it back to me to use for Him."

A humble dreadlocked bredren, Jah Servant is a multi-intrumentalist, producer and engineer with a passion for roots and rub-a-dub reggae music that he creates and mixes in his Servant's Quarters studio in his new home in Trinidad, W.I. Having absorbed the musical influences of the likes of Sugar Minott, Gregory Isaacs, Yabby You, Peter Tosh, Prince Jammy, King Tubby, Solomon Jabby and others, Jah Servant's artistry is an amalgam of classic sound and fresh expression. With guitar being his musical "weapon" of choice, many of his compositions include searing leads, crucial rhythmic playing and even Latin-style picking. He also has the innate ability to add just the right touch of melodica, organ or synth. What rings true regardless is the melodic quality of Jah Servant's music that is often simultaneously spacious and richly layered.

Jah Servant successfully marries the warmth and texture of analogue instrumentation and production techniques with the innovation of digital technology to express a "voice" which is his own. Having worked with both established and up-and-coming artistes such as Sherwin Gardner, Audrey Gordon, Wayne Stoddart, Owen Uriah and others, Jah Servant is fast becoming known as a producer of tasteful and quality riddims for the discerning singer- and an artiste in his own right.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

GR: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc...?

JS: The name Jah Servant came about as people had told me that I have a servant's heart. It was quite a while later though as I was thinking what I want people to think when they hear my name. Jah servant isn't really a name, it's what I try to be, the way I try to live. To lose my natural identity and be named as a servant of Jah is better than any other name I could carry. This gives the glory to God and not to me.

GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?

JS: It's hard to pick one but maybe "Back & Forth"

GR: (GospelReggae.com) Read any good books lately?

JS: An old book called The Calvary Road.

GR: (GospelReggae.com) What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

JS: Psalm 27:4. What I like about this verse is that it basically sums up the way we should live, more than anything else, it's important that we know the Lord, not just to be saved, but to continue to seek Him. Having my mind made up that there is just one thing above all in this life that matters. What would you ask God for if he appeared to you and said he'd answer just one prayer for you? There are many things that we want, but we are here in this life to know Him. If we don't know Him we can't do anything for Him, we can't even worship Jehovah properly without knowing Him. So this verse is a guideline for my life, something that I keep checking myself with to make sure I have the same attitude as the Psalmist when he wrote it.

GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

JS: David, he had a calling but he didn't try to bring it into being on his own (although he had opportunity to kill Saul), he waited for God to bring the things to pass and put him in place in the proper time. He made mistakes but he truly repented, he was in agony over his sin. He was also a musician and a songwriter. I think he's a great example of how we should live and I see things in my life that are similar to his life.

GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus," what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?

JS: There are so many things that influence a person, a piece of music can inspire me to make something that sounds very different from it and nobody would know that it was birthed from another song. Also just sitting down noodling with my guitar, not even trying to write a song will often spark something as well.

GR: Can you name three things that you wish you knew when you first got started doing music?

JS: 1. How to mix. 2. Music technology. 3. And more about the music business.

GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??

JS: I prefer the creative environment of the studio. I enjoy the process of recording, writing and mixing, the whole production thing.

GR: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours, what would you say?

JS: Pray a lot, make sure that you are doing what God wants you to do at this time, and don't compromise just to "make it", always stand for what is right, we need to please the Father first of all. Discuss your plans with people who you trust to give you good advice and support.

GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

JS: I can't not do music, it flows out. Even without the studio, there would be music and songs, it's just that very few would hear them.

GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?

JS: I'd like say that it's important that you don't look to people but look to the Lord Himself, don't let people turn you away from serving or accepting Jesus. There is one way to the Father, which is through Jesus. He is the one who will never leave you alone or turn His back on you, even if you haven't been serving Him he's still waiting there for you.

When there are things I can't talk to anybody about I know I can talk to Him and that He hears me. He's the one constant in my life, the one thing that will not and can not change. Jesus is the source of my hope and strength.

Ministry

"To make uncompromising music of truth (founded on the word of God) that will cause people to check themselves and their relationship with the Father. To try my best to fulfill the scripture that says we should let all that we do be done for edification, encouraging my brother's and sister's in Christ to seek Him more, also letting non-believers see that there is an alternative to their lifestyle and that God will welcome them regardless of their situation in life--Mark Giles (Jah Servant).

Discography

Jah Servant and Friends, (2006)
Various Artists, Riddim Sessions (2006)
Good Soil (Album) (2004)
Narrow Gate (Album) (2003)

PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Mention, Hear My Prayer (2006)
Mission Epistle, Stand Up (2006)
Audrey Gordon (...Still Waiting) (2004)
Sherwin Gardner (Who I Am) (2004)
Unity Riddim Sessions Vol. 1 (Various Artists) (2004)

		Jah Servant Jah Servant and Friends				Jah Servant Good Soil

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

Mark Giles
868- 357-4396

Official EMail:

jahservant@gmail.com

Chat with this artist or their fans in the official Jah Servant forum

Photos