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Janine Gilbert-Carter

Her poignantly warm, rich, soulful voice lovingly and profoundly penetrates the soul of all who are blessed to hear her. From the first note, the listener becomes spellbound. Not only her voice, but her delivery captivates." - Dr. Diane Brenda Williams

About Me

Janine Carter was introduced to gospel, Jazz and blues at a very early age by her parents and grandmother. This Pennsylvania native cannot remember a time when music was not a part of her very existence. She began her musical journey like so many contemporary artists as a member of the choir at her church in Aliquippa, PA. She also had the opportunity to expand on her solo performances as a member of the Bach Choir of PA which performed some of Broadways most exciting musicals. Janine continued to use the gift she was given to perform at various functions and special events until she relocated to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area in the summer of 1988. During the summer of 1996 Janine performed her debut concert in the DC area at New Genesis Baptist Church, this celestial songbird has been flying ever since.

Since 1998 Ms. Gilbert-Carter has performed with the Washington Performing Arts Society Men & Women of the Gospel Mass Choir and has shared the stage with notable artists such as Tramaine Hawkins, Oleta Adams, Regina Bell, Ann Nesby and Donnie McClurkin and Sweet Honey in the Rock for WPAS's Annual Gospel concert held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Since September 2001 Janine has worked with local jazz musical talents Ronnie Wells-Elliston and Ron Elliston. Audiences have been delighted with her performances at leading DC jazz venues such as: The Mandarin Oriental, Kaufmann's, Laporta's, The Strathmore, Twins Jazz, The U Street Jazz series concerts held at the Islander in Washington DC, The FMJS East Coast Jazz Festival and the legendary Washington DC supper Club Blues Alley in addition to several prestigious White House Events.

Janine was a finalist in the 2003 FMJS competition, 2004 Mayor's Billie Holiday vocal competition and a quarter finalist in the 2005 Americans traditions competition in Savannah, GA. Gilbert-Carter has also performed at many special events were she has shared the stage with area-wide jazz musicians like pianist Aaron Grave, Vince Smith, Eric Byrd, Chris Grasso and Ron Elliston; bassist Wes Biles, James King, Saxophonist Paul Carr and percussionist Nasar Abady, Jeff Neal and the late Ricky Loza and Mike Smith.

In 2006 Janine join the cast of “Sistas Can Sang, A Tribute to Female Jazz Legends” where she portrays the legendary Dinah Washington.

With the Release of “My Foolish Heart” this will mark Janine's ninth exploration. She has released eight previous CD's in two different genres; (Jazz) In the Moment, A Song For You, Inside A Silent Tear, Sailing, At Last and The Classic Sounds of Christmas (Gospel) God Spoke To Me and Janine Gilbert-Carter & Friends Live at the FMJS quarterly gospel concert. Janine's prayer is to have a positive effect on all that hear her music and to exude the feeling of warmth and love through her music.

Tours: Oct 26th 2009 - Nov 12th 2009 Torino Italy: 19th Edition Blues Al Femminiel Centro Jazz Torino 10 City 10 Concert Tour,2010 tour Russia, 2011 tour Russia, 2013 tour Russia, 2013 tour Israel

Honors and Awards:

2014 - Wammie award Nominee for Best Jazz Recording “At Last” 2014 - Wammie Award Nominee for Best jazz Vocalist 2013 - Inducted into the Beaver Valley Musicians Hall of Fame receiving the Henry Mancini Award 2008 - Wammie Award Nominee for Best jazz Vocalist 2007 - Wammie Award Nominee for Best Jazz Vocalist 2006 - Wammie award Nominee for Best Jazz Vocalist 2006 - Wammie award Nominee for Best Jazz Recording “A Song For You” 2006- Maryland Sate Arts Council (MSAC) Individual Artist Award in Solo Vocal Performance 2005- Quarter Finalist- Americas Traditions vocal competition Savannah, GA 2004- Finalist - Baltimore MD Mayor's Billie Holiday competition 2003 - Finalist - FMJS East Coast Jazz competition 2002 - Winner of The Absolute Jazz competition Wash. D.C.