Biography
Janine Coombs, also known as Janine Jkuhl (pronounced Jay-Cool). Born in Kingston Jamaica is an Eclectic Singer-Songwriter, who admires music and the art of music. At the tender age of three she was introduced to music by learning her first musical instrument, the piano. At the age of twelve she joined The Queen’s School Choir; there she found the joys of singing. During her high school years at The Queen’s School, she won first and second place prizes for vocal and instrumental solos at the school’s annual performing arts competition, Eisteadford. These school competitions and choir events helped to introduce her to the performing arts world. With the love of music and the arts running through her veins, Jkuhl pursued music as a career. In 2007 she won a scholarship put on by the Jamaica Star news paper and Muzak foundation to attend the MUZAK Music Summer Camp, held in Los Angeles, U.S.A. The experience opened her eyes to the great tough tedious world of the music industry and was a great stepping stone in her career.
Janine Jkuhl is an eclectic listener who is influenced by many genres of music..This love of different music can be heard fused in her Indie music style. She is a beatific musician, songwriter and singer of Classical, Jazz, Alternative, Reggae, Adult contemporary and Indie-Pop. h
In the sUmmer of 2009, Janine Jkuhl recorded her first Album, "STAR GAZE”. This Album consist of ten (10) inspirational Indie-Alternative-Fusion tracks, to inspire, heal and soothe the mind and soul of listeners. The Album encourages people to live good, go for your dreams, adn be positive . In 2020 she released her Second Self produced Album "Sweet Sway", an album of Love bAlads. Janine has written numerous songs showcasing her developing style which she calls “Jkuhl”.
Janine Jkuhl pursued a performing arts degree at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Jamaica. There she studied jazz, classical and Jamaican Popular Music and graduated with Honours. In 2013, Janine was one of the first of eight recipients to receive the Edna Manley College School of Music Honour Roll Recital Award and Perform at their first Honour Roll Recital.
She has performed at various live shows, more recently; Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival Virtual Concert 2021, The Global Inaugural Caribbean Party for the First Female American Vice President Kamala Harris 2021, "Sweet Sway' Virtual Performance 2020, Open Mic sessions (Singapore), Janine Jkuhl live at Ruster’s Cafe (Bali), Janine Jkuhl live at Mother Restaurant (Bali), Janine Jkuhl Live at Rumah Sungai Villa (Bali), Tropical Folk Sessions (Bali), ZVUKEY acoustic Sessions (Bali), Chill Pill acoustic live (Jamaica), Sankofa live session (Jamaica), Bangarang Halloween Rock concert (Jamaica), weddings and private parties.
She has been featured and interviewed on CNN "The Voices of the Pandemic"; “Whatz Up New York Tv”.; Live at 7 on CVM TV; Dermott Hussey Show “The Riffs” on Music 99Fm; Gerry McDaniel’s show “Palav” on Radio Jamaica 94fm; Television Jamaica “Smile Jamaica" Morning Show and guest Co-hosted on Gerry McDaniel’s show “Palav” on Radio Jamaica 94fm and was guest artiste host for the tv programme “Whatz Up New York” for their coverage of Reggae Sumfest 2019 and again for 2020 Rebel Salute interviewing various artistes, organisers of the festivals and special guest such as the Prime minister of Jamaica Most Honourable Andrew Holness and different ministers of Government. JANINE JKUHL HAS ALSO BEEN HIGHLIGHTED AS FEATURED ARTISTE ON INDIE RADIO STATION PROGRAMMES IN THE UK AND THE U.S.A.. JKUHL’S SINGLE “TEMPTED” WAS RATED IN THE TOP 10 TEN SONGS OF MAY 2016 ON USA INDIE RADIO SHOW; THE JOHN WAYNE SHOW, MAVEN FM.
In 2020 Janine Jkuhl was a recipient of the 2020 Catapult Caribbean Grant where she did a virtual performance of her Album "Sweet Sway"and A recipient of The Sama Sama residency held in Bali, Indonesia where she spent four months working on completing her second Album "Sweet Sway" and a collaboration with Alzheimer’s Indonesia, putting two of her songs to Alzheimer care work out videos. She also recorded her song “The Mystic” in Bahasa Indonesian “Mistik”, her first ever recording in another language.
A truly unique, inspirational musician, performer, singer, songwriter, producer , vocal couch and arranger. Jkuhl believes in following her dreams and uses her talents to heal and encourage others to make and pursue their own dreams. "Believe in your difference as your difference is who you are”- Janine Jkuhl