Jana Bent's 'You So Fine' creating waves overseas

Jana Bent

IT IS not very often one hears of a dancer, who eventually becomes a recording artiste. Well, Jana Bent is one exception. Her most recent pop single 'You So Fine' has been included in a number of compilations CDS and is poised for a great take-off in the United States and Canada.

It was in 1993 that her amazing music career was launched when she toured with the Wailers and worked with Damion Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, both respected artistes. However, it was her sojourn with Orville "Shaggy" Burrell from 1994 to 1996 which propelled her into the limelight. During this time she was involved in the making of Shaggy's hit videos Boombastic and Summertime.

"I learnt so much from Shaggy, who is a very hard-working and disciplined artiste. He, along with his manager Robert Livingston, exposed me to all facets of the musicbiz, including interviews. I was even introduced to his recording company".

However, after touring with Shaggy, she decided to launch her solo career. Her first solo album Chase The Sun was launched in 1999. This successful debut opened up doors for her in the United States, where she eventually wrote a song on the Rock House label. This also paved the way for her recordings on the Gypsy label.

"This was a collection of explored musical sounds. And this helped me in identifying and defining what I really wanted to do. You So Fine is an example of what my new CD, slated to be out by October will be like.

You So Fine, which has been receiving wide radio play here and overseas, was produced by Rupert Bent III on the Gypsy label features Herbie Harris of Third World band. The song will experience three different compilation releases, including the Rhythm Radio July 2001 compilation CD and was released to all major rhythmic stations across the United States as well as to club deejays worldwide," she explained.

Jana has been very busy with her producer, brother and mentor Rupert Bent III, in Canada marketing the song. She hopes too to be in the United Kingdom, come October, on a similar mission.

Jana's acceptance in the music industry both here and overseas is as a result of her business-like disposition and the fact that she is a trained artiste.

"People with talent and basic aptitude should seek to hone their skills for further development. It is very hard to achieve your goals. It was not easy for me, when I took dancing, acting and singing classes. I even had to sing ideas into a tape recorder and then my producer would decode and put to music," she explained.

Jana has had wide and varied experiences. At one time she was employed by the Sandals chain as choreographer trainers for their entertainment department staff. Her great strides in the music and incredible artistic rise owe much to her broad experience gained in her travels to places like Brazil, which has influenced her recording and singing styles.

Her greatest source of inspiration is her mother Eunice Bent, communication consultant, who educated her on the public relations aspect of musicbiz.

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