Duane Jonkers
Born and raised with music embedded deep within him, Duane Paul Jonkers , born January 25th quickly became synonymous with pulling crowds by use of his phenomenal musical talents. Having been introduced to the art form at a tender age, Duane sought to nurture his creative gift, quickly forming a desire for his own original sound. This prompted him to explore, research and experiment with every aspect of music a process that has ultimately led him on a musical journey which has afforded him the titles of singer, lyricist, composer and musician.
Duane recalls one of his earliest memories serenading his teachers at Eastwood Primary School, age 12 he attributes a lot of encouragement coming from teachers as well as family members, friends, pastors and youth leaders who saw great potential in him. It was in his mid-teens, however, where Duane found purpose for his passion when he was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was converted. He subsequently offered his voice to be used as a gift to God and his people in the praise and worship team. At age 16, Duane then became interested in the drums after witnessing the finesse displayed by a close friend. It was the rhythm and complicated techniques which brought the beat together that originally drew Duane to this instrument. This new found walk with Christ stirred within him the desire to evangelize; he did so by incorporating music and wrote his first song, age 17, entitled “Jesus is the Best”. It was during these early teen years that Duane started an Urban Gospel Rap group known as TLA (The Lord’s Army) the group comprised of people namely Duane, Ashley Klien, Collin Smith, Randall Goss all of whom shared similar background and hunger to spread the gospel by use of their talents. Duane spent eight years with T.L.A in which time they recorded an album, completed in 2006 with Daniel Bok, made two music videos and featured on two separate SABC2 programmes namely 3:16 in 2006 and Pedalling Pilgrims in 2008. Duane’s experience as a church musician, song writer and artist with T.L.A continued impacting on his quest to know more about music. It helped him realize that he had an insatiable interest in behind the scenes and began producing, age 24. He easily found pleasure in the technical functions of a music recording studio, the result of which has led him to master the programmes and music recording equipment and software. Producing has further benefited Duane by enabling him to learn music theory, professional methods on how to synchronize instruments and vocal harmonies and learn the basic of sound engineering. It has also opened doors for him to meet and work with talented singers, musicians, engineers and producers. At present, Duane is involved in a production label and outreach forum. Their core objective is to enable gospel artists, evangelists, youth-groups and youth development forums to have a platform. Also He has launched a project, U.G.P (Urban Gospel Project) that shares the same vision of outreach and spreading the gospel through the medium of music. It is essentially a music compilation of many gospel artists from different genres; churches and communities all on one album pledging to one goal and purpose; committing their time, talents, gifts of the spirit and showcased performances to the organisation for a season. This truly phenomenal musician whose God given talent and gift of music has developed from raw talent and elementary interest into an inspiration to the lost and beacon of hope to the down trodden, has shown that with passion and determination nothing is impossible. In hind sight of the accomplishments reached by Duane, it’s no wonder why he dotes on the scripture; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Duane recalls one of his earliest memories serenading his teachers at Eastwood Primary School, age 12 he attributes a lot of encouragement coming from teachers as well as family members, friends, pastors and youth leaders who saw great potential in him. It was in his mid-teens, however, where Duane found purpose for his passion when he was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was converted. He subsequently offered his voice to be used as a gift to God and his people in the praise and worship team. At age 16, Duane then became interested in the drums after witnessing the finesse displayed by a close friend. It was the rhythm and complicated techniques which brought the beat together that originally drew Duane to this instrument. This new found walk with Christ stirred within him the desire to evangelize; he did so by incorporating music and wrote his first song, age 17, entitled “Jesus is the Best”. It was during these early teen years that Duane started an Urban Gospel Rap group known as TLA (The Lord’s Army) the group comprised of people namely Duane, Ashley Klien, Collin Smith, Randall Goss all of whom shared similar background and hunger to spread the gospel by use of their talents. Duane spent eight years with T.L.A in which time they recorded an album, completed in 2006 with Daniel Bok, made two music videos and featured on two separate SABC2 programmes namely 3:16 in 2006 and Pedalling Pilgrims in 2008. Duane’s experience as a church musician, song writer and artist with T.L.A continued impacting on his quest to know more about music. It helped him realize that he had an insatiable interest in behind the scenes and began producing, age 24. He easily found pleasure in the technical functions of a music recording studio, the result of which has led him to master the programmes and music recording equipment and software. Producing has further benefited Duane by enabling him to learn music theory, professional methods on how to synchronize instruments and vocal harmonies and learn the basic of sound engineering. It has also opened doors for him to meet and work with talented singers, musicians, engineers and producers. At present, Duane is involved in a production label and outreach forum. Their core objective is to enable gospel artists, evangelists, youth-groups and youth development forums to have a platform. Also He has launched a project, U.G.P (Urban Gospel Project) that shares the same vision of outreach and spreading the gospel through the medium of music. It is essentially a music compilation of many gospel artists from different genres; churches and communities all on one album pledging to one goal and purpose; committing their time, talents, gifts of the spirit and showcased performances to the organisation for a season. This truly phenomenal musician whose God given talent and gift of music has developed from raw talent and elementary interest into an inspiration to the lost and beacon of hope to the down trodden, has shown that with passion and determination nothing is impossible. In hind sight of the accomplishments reached by Duane, it’s no wonder why he dotes on the scripture; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Marilyn Jonkers
My name is Marilyn Jonkers, I am married to singer,song writer and producer Duane Jonkers, I feel honoured to be working with him in making UGP a success. As a child growing up in the church and being exposed to music I knew I always wanted to sing and be a musician. I have the experience of singing in a choir and praise and worship team and have now joined UGP and in doing so will develop my talent and give God all the glory in all I do. I hope to one day let my gift be a blessing unto others and to also allow God to flow through me and the gifts he has placed within me. My dream is to one day run my own business which incorporates christian music and showcases up-coming talented artists.
Matthew Smith
Names:Matthew john
Age:15
Hobbies:singing,Swimming,Boxing and Reading interesting books
Ministry:singing
Number of years in Τ̩ђɪ̣̇ƨ Industry:10yrs
First year performing infront of α audience:2005
Voice training -yes/no:No (self trained)
Last peformed infront of α audience:august 2012
Goal:to become α lawyer
When I was younger I use to sing opra but my voice is now maturing
Therefore its now more husk and deep I have a very different tone and α different style of singing i'm not really all into jazz but rather into RnB
I'm more comforable with using backing tracks from the internet and writing to the beat
My name is matthew , i 'm α person who is all out for God , i'm inspirational and motivated , my talent is singing. And my first and furmost ministry is Singing
Age:15
Hobbies:singing,Swimming,Boxing and Reading interesting books
Ministry:singing
Number of years in Τ̩ђɪ̣̇ƨ Industry:10yrs
First year performing infront of α audience:2005
Voice training -yes/no:No (self trained)
Last peformed infront of α audience:august 2012
Goal:to become α lawyer
When I was younger I use to sing opra but my voice is now maturing
Therefore its now more husk and deep I have a very different tone and α different style of singing i'm not really all into jazz but rather into RnB
I'm more comforable with using backing tracks from the internet and writing to the beat
My name is matthew , i 'm α person who is all out for God , i'm inspirational and motivated , my talent is singing. And my first and furmost ministry is Singing
Ashley Klein
My name is Ashley Klein. I'm from the city Pietermaritzburg, I grew up here all my life. Little about myself, i love music, going out, making new friends, nature and art. I got saved at a young age, was inspired by rap and that's when my desire to minister for the Lord in rap begun. In my early teenage years i joined a gospel rap group called T.L.A aka The Lord's Army. I've performed in and out of Kwazulu-Natal at concerts, competitions, birthday parties and youth conventions always reaching young people and leading them into the Kingdom of God through our form of ministry. My hopes for the future is that my ministry would reach lost souls around the world and bring them to Jesus shifting them away from a worldly influence to a Godly influence and lifestyle. The scripture that influenced me to do so is " Proverbs 11:30" Be Blessed!!!
Chezlynn Low
Hi my name is Chezlynn Low i am 15 years old and currently attending Eastwood Secondary School. The ministry belong to is, The Woodlands Methodist Church, i've been singing naturally from a very young age until now,no voice training just a God given gift. UGP is the first serious vocal experience im having and my future goal is also one of my biggest dreams, that is to become a renowned singer. When im done schooling and studying i would also like to become a nurse.