JFray fulfils his calling through gospel music
MIDRAND – He shared the stage with the likes of Youssou N'dour.
as part of his spiritual journey.
Former Midrand High School matriculant Jared Fray started his musical journey as a rock fanatic.
However, he is currently juggling house and gospel music under Jrossbeats record label based in Midrand.
“I got saved and started worshipping at church,” he said.
“I thought it was the right thing to change. I perform gospel and I also do house music as an artist. It is very fulfilling and I feel that it is my calling.”
Fray whose stage name is JFray was born in East London and moved to Midrand in 1999 at the age of 11. During matric in 2007, he taught himself to play the guitar. He studied contemporary music at Damelin Bramley music school. While still studying, he performed with classmates such as Anga Makubalo also known as Naak Musiq and Idols season 6 finalist Boki Ntsime.
“Then, they weren’t famous yet but as time went on I realised they were making a living out of it. I feel honoured to have been part of that class,”
JFray developed an interest in jazz music through one of his lecturers. After completing his diploma at Damelin he pursued jazz and popular music studies at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2011. He then studied at the South African Music Institute in 2012 where he discovered his love for rock music.
Later on that year, he performed in the Middle East with Shakes Productions Company, where he continued to hone his skills as a session musician.
He returned to South Africa in 2014 and performed rock shows at the Barnyard Theatre. “I started doing session work for artists and teaching music.”
In 2016, it was another turning point for JFray as he turned to gospel where he started his journey with JRoss and the Global Business Roundtable Worship Team. He composed two songs for JRoss’ album Living in Christ Vol 1.
“While working with JRoss, I got the opportunity to record and perform a song for the Africa 4 Change awards which featured the likes of Akon, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Youssou N’dour and Jah Prayzah.”
He also recorded guitar for the lockdown series, Jub Jub and Nelisiwe Sibiya.
JFray started working on his own solo house album at the beginning of this year which has elements of African, spiritual and jazz house.
He released two house singles, Spirits of the San which has more of an African sound and Heavenly Sounds with a touch of gospel. He is currently performing with JRoss on a tour with Musica. “We will also be starting a township tour soon and I am still working on my house album.”
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/197122/disabled-young-man-wants-to-break-norms-in-the-music-industry/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/200761/kwai-jazz-rising-within-the-industry/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/199136/kaalfonteins-d-trix-new-tricks-tracks/
