There's a fresh sound of contemporary gospel in the air! Metro Detroit’s own Sounds of Imani brings a unique blend of contemporary gospel & jazz, coupled with pop & an upscale flavor of old-school R & B. Imani means faith and the duo has certainly lived up to their name. The husband and wife team has performed since 1996 and has acquired the following accolades:
AWARDS:
*2019 S & M Award-Winner (North Carolina): Contemporary Gospel Group of the Year; Internet Show of Year; Internet Radio Announcer of the Year
*2019 Gospel Choice Music Award-Winner (Atlanta, GA): Internet Radio Announcer of the Year; Media Ministry of the Year;
Honoree Pastor of the Year Award
*2019 Mid-Michigan Gospel Best (Lansing, MI) 1st Place Award-Winner (Lady Carol)
*2019 Texas Gospel Music Excellence CD Project of the Year Award
* 2017 Texas Gospel Music Excellence New Artist of the Year Award
* 2016 AMTC Summer Shine (Kissimmee, FL) - 2nd place Winner Overall Singer Competition (Lady Carol)
* 2015 Excellence in Christian Music Academy Recipient (Maryland)
* 2014 Season 4 Prayze Factor Award-Winner (South Carolina): Urban Contemporary Gospel Duo/Group & Praise and Worship Duo/Group; 5th place Prayze Factor Spotlight Grand Finalist
* 2013 Excellence in Christian Music Academy Recipient (Maryland)
NOMINATIONS:
*2020 Gospel Choice Music Awards
*2019 Spin Awards Wild Card Nominee (Atlanta, GA)
*2019 South Florida Gospel Music Awards Nominee (Lauderhill, FL)
*2019 Michigan State Fair Superstar Semi-Finalist (Novi, MI)
*2019 Detroit Black Music Awards Finalist
*2019 Kingdom Image Awards Finalist (Columbus, OH)
*2019 Best in Black Detroit (313) Michigan Chronicle Finalist
* 2018 Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards Finalist (Greenville, NC)
* 2018 Texas Gospel Music Awards Finalist (Houston, TX)
*2018 Kingdom Image Awards Nominee (Columbus, OH)
* 2017 Detroit Music Awards nominee
* 2015 Detroit Music Awards nominee
STAGE PLAYS & FILM:
*2019 Danger At My Door (Northwest Activity Center, Detroit, MI - Mike Matthews)
*2019 Fake Friends Church Episode: POP Productions Indie Film (Producer Mike Matthews)
*2019 Rapture Chronicles Webisode #2: Churchouse Productions (Producer Dray Hill) (IMDb Credits)
* 2018 Faithtown 2 Real Love: Churchouse Productions Indie Film (Producer Dray Hill) (IMDb Credits)
* April 28, 2018: "Mama Where Are You?" (Northwest Activity Center Detroit, MI)
* October 7, 2017: "I Need A Man" (Northwest Activity Center Detroit, MI)
* April 30, 2016 "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (Redford Theater Detroit, MI): Sharing the stage with Reginald
"Bruh-Man" Ballard from the TV show Martin"; Karl Reid, actor and gospel recording artist of
"Commissioned"; Kene Holiday from the TV show "Matlock".
Gerald has a rich historical music background as former road manager & vocalist with the famous Detroit Emeralds; & percussionist/vocalist in The Original Chapter Eight (before the arrival of Anita Baker). In addition, Gerald served as vocalist in the Flaming Emeralds band; background vocalist for The Floaters and various male choruses. Carol served as keyboardist for the Voices of Wings in Flight Community Choir, and choir directress/musician for various churches. Both Gerald & Carol have made tremendous accomplishments: Carol has a Master Degree in Public Administration, Bachelor Degree in Management, and an Associate Degree in Business Administration, Gerald has obtained a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies in pursuance of a Social Work degree.
Sounds of Imani's latest single entitled “Because of Who You Are” displays the duo’s soulful vocal harmony that will leave you wanting to hear more! Gerald & Carol Ervin, along with songwriter Daron Steward show true songwriting/producing skills that can truly be appreciated by music enthusiasts and fans alike. The single was produced by Michael J. Powell (Award-Winning Producer for Anita Baker), Gerald & Carol Ervin, & Executive Producer Heaven-Wings Records. "Because of Who You Are" is a soulful contemporary praise and worship selection that makes you appreciate the creative musicianship of this dynamic recording artist.
(SEE DISCOGRAPHY PAGE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE MUSIC OF SOUNDS OF IMANI)
PERFORMANCES
Jazz Explosion with Yancyy Hart Plaza (Detroit, MI)
Gospel Explosion with Host Carl B. Phillips Hart Plaza (Detroit, MI)
Gospel Choice Music Awards (Atlanta, GA)
Juneteenth Celebration (Lansing, MI)
Bakers Keyboard Lounge Gospel Brunch (Detroit, MI)
Michigan State Fair (Novi/Detroit since1996)
TCT TV - Celebrate w/ host Pastor Larry Mack (WDWO-Detroit)
The Gathering (Nashville, TN)
A.C.T. International Orientation (Rolling Meadows, IL)
4th Fridays (Dearborn, MI)
Anointed Faces Gospel Coffee House (Detroit/Warren)
Ionia Correctional Facility (Ionia, MI)
Parnell Correctional Facility (Jackson, MI)
Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility (Ypsilanti, MI)
Highland Park Gospel Music Festival
Make Music Detroit
Detroit Gospel Theatre (Detroit, MI)
AMTC Open Mic (Dearborn, MI)
AMTC Summer Shine (Kissimmee, FL)
AMTC Chicago, IL
Faithtown #1 Celebration @ Unity Temple Church (Detroit, MI)
Faithtown#2 Celebration & Awards (Detroit, MI)
Henry Ford Community College Gospel Celebration with WHFR FM88.1 (Dearborn, MI)
Juneteenth Celebration (Detroit, MI)
Performers Expo (Dearborn, MI)
Prayze Factor Tour (Canada/Detroit)
Prayze Factor Awards (Columbia, SC)
NCCJ National Walk For Justice (Detroit Riverwalk)
American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" (Detroit, MI)
African American Music Festival (Detroit, MI)
Motor City PraiseFest (Detroit, MI)
The Parade Company (Detroit, MI)
ABLA Reunion Organization Music Celebration (Cabrini Green -Chicago,IL)
Children's Cancer Fundraiser - CJ & Co (Milwaukee, WI)
Blackmon Enterprises Live (Los Angeles, CA
The Tab @ Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
Salvation Army Harbor Light & Montrose facilities (Detroit, MI)
(SEE INTERVIEW PAGE FOR MORE INFO ON MUSIC/TALK SHOW INTERVIEWS)
This artist is versatile in various facets of gospel music (traditional, contemporary, urban, gospel-jazz)
and is available for bookings by contacting: imanigroove@gmail.com or (313) 308-5935.
We are inspired to write lyrics for songs that touch the heart and soul of people. The songs we write come from our own heartfelt personal experiences and we believe that factor makes our music reachable, receivable, and believable!
Some of our musical influences come from both gospel and secular artists such as Walter & Tramaine Hawkins, The Hawkins Family, Edwin Hawkins, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Austin, Billy & Sarah Gaines, Atlantic Starr, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Helen Baylor, Phil & Brenda Nicholas, Kindred the Family Soul, Rene & Angela, Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack........to name a few!