Lion of Zion Artists

Sherwin Gardner

Bio

Although still in his mid-twenties, this young singer, composer and producer is presently riding a crest of success that is shipping him to genuine international recognition.

But his story begins at birth. The middle of seven siblings, Sherwin's arrival into the world is nothing short of a miracle. His mother had fallen ill where doctors feared she had cancer. Thankfully tests turned up negative but it was discovered that Mrs. Gardner was 20 weeks into a pregnancy she was unaware of. She was advised to abort the foetus for fear that it would jeopardise her life or the baby would been born deformed. Despite several warnings from doctors, she refused to abort and Sherwin was born healthy and whole.

By the time he was five-years-old, he was singing and had taught himself the lyrics to "We are the World." From there his uncle, Kenny Patterson, began to prepare him for the stage. Sherwin made his public concert debut at the Himalaya Club, singing the Church classic "He Touched Me."

That proved to be the launching pad for a music career that continues to hit new highs with every project Sherwin undertakes. Sherwin began touring at 16 and has since visited most of the Caribbean islands. At 17-years-old Sherwin produced and released his first album entitled "Power in the Name. There followed "100% Sold Out", "I Rather Jesus" and a compilation "One Step Closer to Zion" featuring artistes produced by Sherwin as a joint project with fellow gospel artiste, Monty G of the Bahamas.

The big turning point was his 2002 release Leaning (Lion of Zion) which was responsible for breaking Sherwin on international charts both in gospel/mainstream and projected him to a wider audience. The following year he established his own label Flow Masters Records building an exciting roster of Trinidadian talent. Out of that new-set up came Sherwin's second international release "Closer" resulting in the Number 1 radio single "He Died For Me (Hamalhamadla)" which spent a staggering 21 weeks at the top spot on numerous Caribbean radio charts. That very same song also earned him Gospel Songwriter of the Year 2004 by the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago (COTT), the islands most recognised music industry body.

Sherwin made a huge impact at the 2004 Marlin Awards, the Caribbean's official Gospel industry association. With his record-breaking 22 nominations he eventually picked up five awards including Ethnic Recording of the Year, Foreign Language Recording of the Year, Engineered Recording of the Year, Calypso/Soca Recording of the Year and Reggae Vocals of the Year marking the first time a non-Jamaican has ever won this category. Amongst the other accolades Sherwin has received "Most Impacting Artist" at the 2002 Barbados Flame Gospel Awards and "Dancehall Album of the Year" at the UGI Awards in Los Angeles, CA.

As a producer he has stamped his mark on an impressive list of artists like Carlene Davis, Chevelle Franklyn, Pierre Sisters, Monty G, Tiko & Gitta, Vanessa Briggs, Shiselon, Spiritual Ninja and Jadee. As an artist he has shared the stage with many of the gospel greats: Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans, Ben Tunker, Stitchie, Papa San, TD Jakes and others.

With his latest release "Who I Am", Sherwin professes the album as his most personal to date and uses the project to show a more eclectic side fusing R&B, Praise & Worship and Soul with more familiar island sounds Reggae, Soca and Dancehall. The album also marked a new direction as he penned an international management and licensing deal with growing UK label UB1 Music, making London his new international headquarters. The journey is only just beginning as he continues to break into as yet uncharted territories.