A spiritual artist with a unique approach, Jennifer Mekel is a singer whose songs combine elements of smooth jazz and polished R&B with contemporary gospel, and the result is music that embraces the message of God's love while the expression is fresh and up-to-date. Born and raised in Ohio, Mekel began singing when she was just three years old, and performed her first concert of original music when she was 17. She was a member of a gospel singing group called Bread of Heaven, and has received degrees from the University of Akron and Ashland Theological Seminary as she works towards a Doctor of Divinity degree. An ordained minister, Mekel is a member of Akron's Calvary Baptist Church, where she is a worship leader, guides a Bible study group, and works with music workshops and outreach projects, most notably the Pastors' Project, intended to educate and inform both community and clergy about issues of chemical dependence and mental health. Mekel's background in both music and worship has led to several collaborative projects with the Akron Symphony Orchestra; she was a soloist at their 2009 Christmas Pops concert, was the choral master for their 2011 production of Porgy and Bess, and directs the 200-voice choir for their annual Gospel Meets Symphony concerts. In 2012, Mekel released her first solo album, Destiny Live, a concert recording that included guest appearances from Eddie Brown, Jonathan DuBose, Jr., Denise Powell, Kevin Powell, and H. Doobie Powell (the latter also produced the album). In 2014, Mekel issued a pair of digital singles, "Psalm 34" and "You Are," and 2015 saw the release of another single, "Great God," featuring a guest appearance by the Boys & Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi