Carlene Davis

Carlene Davis was born on February 23, 1953, in Colonels Ridge, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. She moved to England at age fourteen and soon began her professional music career. After living in Toronto, Canada, for eight years, she recorded her debut single, a version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Davis gained prominence in the 1980s as a reggae artist.

In 1996, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The experience led her to rededicate her life to Christianity and transition her musical focus to gospel music. She became an ordained minister and earned a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling. Today she serves as a minister of music at The Family Church on the Rock in Kingston, Jamaica.

Davis continued to record gospel albums, including Vessel (1998), Author and Finisher (2003), Rock Me Jesus (2005), and Dripping Blood (2014). Her songs include "This Island Needs Jesus" (2000), "Wish I Knew Then," and "My Forever Friend." Together with her husband, Tommy Cowan, she operates the Glory Music label and Judah Recording Studio. She also co-founded Vessel Ministries and helps produce the "Fun In The Son" festival.

Her work has been recognized with several honors. She won Best Female Vocalist at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1990, and her album Rock Me Jesus received Gospel Album of the Year at the Reggae Soca Music Awards in 2006. She is also a Caribbean Hall of Fame Awardee.