Entertainment writer, Howard Hendricks, describes Sanchez’s voice as “a supernatural gift from a loving God that can out sing any Nightingale, and he possesses one of the sweetest male voices in popular music”. Born on November 30, 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica and christened Kevin Anthony Jackson, Sanchez grew up with his Mother, Father, two brothers and two sisters, in the Stony Hill and Waterford Communities under strong Christian principles. He says, “I had to go to church every Sunday and often during the week as well. I was a member of the Rehoboth Apostolic Church junior choir and later the senior choir where I was the lead singer. I just love singing and going to church. However, when I started to attend St. Andrew Technical High School, I started hanging out with a new set of friends, things began to change and we would go to parties where sound systems like Rambo, Small Ax and Crystal would play. I really began to like the music and went through a period of conflict which later resulted in me drifting from the church.” The former choir leader became a selector for the Rambo Sound system; a system on which many of his close DJ colleagues such as Flourigan, Lizard and Red Dragon also worked out. (By this time, he had been renamed Sanchez by his friends. and soccer team mates because of a highly skilled pass he made that was reminiscent of the great Brazilian soccer star Hugo Sanchez). As he gradually moved on to singing at these parties/sessions, the response he received was encouraging.|Sanchez soon began voicing for some of the top record producers in the business: Red Man, Winston Riley and Fattis Burrell. In 1987, Sanchez’s first single “Lady In Red” was released; soaring to the # 19 slot on JBC Radio record chart and that was very encouraging for young Sanchez. “It was a great feeling to hear my song playing on the radio.” His first hit, the Winston Riley produced, ‘Loneliness,’ recorded in 1988, is still one of his biggest hits. In that same year, he was voted Singer of the Year, Best Up and Coming and Best New Artist by Rockers and Bins awards respectively. ‘Loneliness’ was also voted Song of the Year, and this led him to his first appearance at Reggae Sunsplash. Since Loneliness, Sanchez has scored with big hits such as, “Wild Sanchez”, “Love Mi Lover Bad”(a combination with DJ Florigan), “Fall In Love,” “If I Ever Fall In Love Again,” “Pretty Girl,” “One In A Million,” “Hello,” ‘Amazing Grace,’ and “Frenzy.” Frenzy won for Sanchez the 2002 songwriter of the year award from The Martin International Awards. Sanchez most recent achievements are: An Award from Authentic Real Music in recognition of Sanchez’s 20th year in Reggae Music. Award from Sanchez’s UK Fan Club, for being an excelent Reggae ambassador to the world. A Crest of the Township of Harrow, City of London, presented by the Mayor. Receving a Proclamation and the keys to the city of Hartford, Connecticut, March 5th 2004. Presented by Jamaican born Vice Mayor Veronica Aird-Wilson, on behalf of the Mayor Hon. Eddie Perez. On November 15, 2003 he was inducted in the International Gospel Hall of Fame and received the Governor’s Cup for excellence at the Cairbbean American Gospel awards CAGA. The presentation was made by U.S. Congressman Kenrick Meeks and popular Jamaican businessman Roy Bramwell of Florida. Previously the city of Lauderhill, Florida, rolled out the red carpet on Saturday night 5th, Feb.2000, in a ceremony presided over by the deputy mayor, Wally Alfers who awarded honorary citizenship to Kevin “Sanchez” Jackson and his wife Monica. the investiture was spearheaded by Chester McCollough, as part of Black History Month. Other accolades he has received are the International World for Lovers Rock 2000, Ambassador for Reggae. The 1999 Reggae Soca Awards for the gospel song, Amazing Grace. He has been four time consecutive winner (1990-1994) of the best dress male artist, Rockers Award competition. All his clothes are designed my Monica Jackson. |
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