JUANITA

With a highly-anticipated self-titled CD, R&B/Soul sensation JUANITA is back and showcases her own blend of Sophisticated S-O-U-L with the empowering new single, Better Dayz.

As an entertainer and entrepreneur for many years, JUANITA has appeared in several music showcases, fashion shows, magazines, and was a finalist in the Miss Black World NY State Modeling & Beauty Pageant. With a very diverse background, she is also the former co-founder of G&J Consulting Services and holds dual degrees in Human Services: Mental Health and Marketing.

JUANITA has embarked upon the road less traveled, but has been determined to stay true to herself and is committed to making a difference. JUANITA demonstrates that she is not only a talented artist, but is a humanitarian who understands the power of giving back.

In addition to performing within the US and abroad, JUANITA has been actively involved in the mental health movement and has partnered with several non-profit organizations. As a motivational speaker and advocate, she has been instrumental in the fight against stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. JUANITA has participated in outreach events to raise money for education, research, and new programs for suicide prevention.

JUANITA continues her mission of encouraging others and takes it one step further through her positive and uplifting music. A combination of R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel influences, the self-written release, Better Dayz touches the soul and speaks to the human spirit. With messages of hope and survival, JUANITA writes from her life’s experiences to inspire people to move forward through difficult times. Better Dayz is a very personal tribute that helped her heal through heartbreak, coping with a loved one’s suicide, and everyday challenges.

"Life can be hard at times, but we are powerful and can achieve great things! The detours and the roadblocks lead us to where we are supposed to be." -- JUANITA

Better Dayz and other songs from the JUANITA CD (c) 2010 are available at www.SeeJUANITA.com - The Urban Music Scene

Velvet Addiction caught up with one of the most inspiring and unique voices in New York. In a sea of cookie cutter pop singers Juanita, soulful sound stands out like a beacon in the night. If you don’t know her now, you will soon. Check out our question and answer session with Juanita!

Q: How long have you been performing?
A: WOW, I’ve been performing since I was 12 years old–dancing and singing. I was involved in talent shows and dance competitions and after winning several of them, I decided to pursue dancing as a career and had done a few spots. I then was approached to model and had done various fashion shows and was a


finalist in the Miss Black World Modeling and Beauty Pageant. My singing career came about years later. Even though I sang in the youth choir and did talent shows, I didn’t really take singing as seriously as the dancing. However, when I made up my mind–and found my voice, I began to get into it.

What brought you back to the stage?
After several years of performing, in various aspects of entertainment, I decided to take a break. I was running hard for a long time and decided to take advantages of other opportunities and to allow myself time to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I started my own business, had gone back to college, and was just living. My “comeback” is all GOD. I had no intention of performing again and feel that I have been commissioned by the Lord to come back and do what I do. It’s so interesting that everything has totally come full circle and the hard work that I put into it years ago is finally paying off now–even though I wasn’t expecting it. But, that is how GOD works–everything happens in divine order.

How would you describe your sound?
This question has always ‘haunted’ me. I remember years ago when I was meeting w/ label execs, before the “neo-soul” category had been introduced, they couldn’t quite place my sound. They would label me as “alternative” or “progressive.” I would find myself getting upset because I couldn’t quite understand what they were talking about, because to me it was just my music. I describe my sound as “Universal S-O-U-L” and this means that you will hear a little bit of soul, r&b, jazz, funk, dance and maybe even classical influences. I grew up listening to a variety of music which has definitely affected my music. I am doing what comes authentically from my s-o-u-l, life, and experiences.

Who in the R&B game today do you respect and why?
I absolutely respect the r&b/soul legends, my soulster peers and anyone who is committed to ingenuity and creativity. Nina Simone is a huge influence to me. It is not easy making the choice to be yourself and sometimes that path is very rough. Anytime you do something different from the status quo, you will certainly be exposed to many challenges and have to break down some walls to get people to understand what you’re doing. So, I respect those who stand their ground and dare to be different and I will continue to reinforce that message to hopefully encourage others.
What’s the next step for you musically?

Well, since my musical return wasn’t something that I planned, I will have to just see what GOD has in store for me. I am presently working on a cd sampler that will be available by the Spring 2010. Also, I will continue doing live shows and possibly putting together a tour. I’ve been getting a great deal of requests to go abroad. So, for now, I am just keeping myself open to opportunities and waiting on the Lord.

- Velvet Addiction Magazine

The music industry is buzzing around hot new artist Juanita. Although not really new to the scene, she's back on the block and shaking things up with her velvety voice and magnetic personality.

Living in a world of bling-bling and thugging, it is refreshing to see a resurgence of artists bringing back the soul to music. In a cookie-cutter industry, there are those artists who will defy categorization and will fight against the establishment to simply be themselves.

Labeled by industry insiders as alternative or neo-soul, Juanita does her own thing and isn't interested in the latest gimmick or trend. Her wide exposure to all types of music, ranging from R&B, Soul, Funk, to Jazz, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Dance, Classical, and Reggae, has shaped her musical sound, which she refers to as Universal Soul.

Juanita has an impressive roster which includes being a finalist in the Miss Black World New York State Modeling and Beauty Pageant, and has appeared in magazines, music showcases, fashion shows, music videos, while also earning a business degree in marketing.

Although the road to authenticity hasn't always been an easy one, she has been determined to stay true to herself. Mapping out her own path, she shows that she is not just talented, but has exceptional business acumen.

"My goal is to show others that they can achieve their dreams on their own terms. You don't have to sacrifice yourself, because it is who you are that makes you unique, " she says.

- Jazz News

The music industry is buzzing around hot new artist JUANITA. Although not really new to the scene, she's back on the block and shaking things up with her velvety voice and magnetic personality.

Living in a world of bling-bling and thugging, it is refreshing to see a resurgence of artists bringing back the soul to music. In a cookie-cutter industry, there are those artists who will defy categorization and will fight against the establishment to simply be themselves.

Labeled by industry insiders as alternative or neo-soul, JUANITA does her own thing and isn't interested in the latest gimmick or trend. Her wide exposure to all types of music, ranging from R&B, Soul, Funk, to Jazz, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Dance, Classical, and Reggae, has shaped her musical sound, which she refers to as Universal S-O-U-L.

JUANITA has an impressive roster which includes being a finalist in the Miss Black World New York State Modeling and Beauty Pageant, and has appeared in magazines, music showcases, fashion shows, music videos, while also earning a business degree in marketing and is the co-founder of her own business.

Although the road to authenticity hasn't always been an easy one, she has been determined to stay true to herself. Mapping out her own path, she shows that she is not just talented, but has exceptional business acumen.

"My goal is to show others that they can achieve their dreams on their own terms. You don't have to sacrifice yourself, because it is who you are that makes you unique," she says.

Doing things her way, JUANITA has embarked upon the road less traveled, but is committed to being creative. Whether she's singing, modeling, or running her own company, she always keeps people guessing.



- Black News