Music
Press
Benita
Benita
Hope Records
Newcomer Benita spins her urban vocal vibe with help from producers Freddy Washington Jr. and Isaac Phillips, and delivers fourteen impressive tracks. She may be a new name for many, but the sounds on this disk are far beyond 'rookie' status. As the daughter Barbara Ward Farmer, Benita's evident musical seasoning belies her years. She can vary her vocal color and texture on demand, and fits her voice around everything from groove to jam to ballad. Great production marks everything from the opening, hook-heavy "Made A Way" to the Washington Jr. - penned "Real", in which she testifies what Jesus means to her. Full strings complements the tender balladry of "Not Alone", as they also do on "All I Need Is You", a vertically-directed song of love. Stay tuned, there's surely more to come from Benita.
- Gospelflava.com
Excellent job Ms. Farmer
Reviewer:
Congratulations to Benita Farmer, Philadelphia's own. Her Cd, "Not Alone" is a combination of beauty, grace, and poise, sending positive messages to millions. We here at the Grammy Foundation expect great things from Ms. Farmer. Please support her to the fullest extent possible. - The Grammy Foundation
Discography
Not Alone
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
While many artists continue to search for their identity within the predetermined boundaries set forth by the industry, there are but a few whose identities successfully erase those lines to create a true boundless sound. It's times like this that character shines unmistakably and the message of an artist becomes clear. For Benita, that message is clearly the love of Jesus Christ. Blending a lifetime of experiences, both spiritual and professional, she lends confident, unmittigated depth to her music, making her message hard to miss - and even harder to resist.
Benita’s ministry is supported by years of experience and it’s a ministry designed with purpose. Born into Gospel music as the daughter of renowned Gospel recording artist, Evangelist Barbara Ward Farmer, and a musically talented father, Lawrence Farmer, Benita grew up surrounded by musical influences.
But while those influences helped shape her ministry, it’s her favorite scripture – Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me" – that motivates her the most. Her love of Christ is truly at the center of all she does, and her experience and continued involvement in her home church as a singer, choir director and Minister of Music have prepared her to share her ministry with the world.
Her distinguished and deep-rooted Gospel foundation led her to performances with Gospel artists like Kim Rutherford (former member of Fred Hammond’s Radical’s for Christ), The Rev. Ernest Davis’ Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, and Grammy-nominated Isaac Phillips; even performing as a featured soloist with the National Churches of the Living God on their 1999 recording, leading the title track, Help Me Praise Him. Outside of the Gospel arena, Benita’s shining talent landed her credits on R&B projects, singing with Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, Melissa Manchester and Roberta Flack in the 1995 concert, "The Colors of Christmas" at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia.
From formal training at Temple U., where she received a degree in Music and directed the Gospel choir, to her work as a recital manager and as a music teacher, Benita's path has exposed her to more than great musical training. Her experiences opened her up to diverse groups of people who appreciate her talent, her music and her message, and her debut project speaks volumes to this. A little rock, a little urban soul, spirit-filled ballads, Christian contemporary stylings - our introduction to this singer/songwriter can best be described as wonderful. Benita has a mature mind, but a youthful approach to her music. Her sound is destined to touch the hearts of the masses, and the message of Jesus Christ and His love will be right there with it. Enjoy
Links
