Carla Jane: A life of singing, choirs and triumph

Carla Jane has been singing a long time, and is considered a gospel legend in some circles. This in-demand vocalist is National Choir Director in the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) and has made name for herself directing choirs in Europe. Juliet Fletcher spoke to her about her musical roots, her work with choirs, overcoming cancer, and her plans for the future.

JULIET FLETCHER (JF): When did you first start singing?
CARLA JANE (CJ): When I was about five, the local church recognised I could sing and encouraged me. In Burton-on-Trent, Pastor Levi Bailey would take me, my sister and others as a group (we didn’t have a name) to sing before he preached. My passion grew from there.
There was a rule then that you had to be 16 to join the choir. I was permitted at 12!

JF: Is your family musical?
CJ: Not really. My parents, Rev Dr Cynthia and James Hayles from Jamaica, liked singing. My elder sister Hyacinth became our local choir director. That’s mainly it.

JF: What influenced you beyond church?
CJ: My Mum was an SEN (nurse), so I became a nurse assistant for a while. I also loved hairdressing – a family friend inspired me – but weekends were for singing, not salons! So, singing won.

JF: I first really became aware of you during your time in Noel Robinson’s group, Nu-Image. How did that happen?
CJ: That was when I was singing solo around churches, mainly up North.

JF: Was that around the same time when Mica Paris sang with Spirit of Watts?
CJ: Mica Paris in London was ahead of me. Jennifer Phillips in Wolverhampton was very well known in my region. I was in NTCG Burton-upon-Trent, around 30 miles from Birmingham, where concerts were always happening. I also sang at the Church of God of Prophecy National Conventions. At one of those, Noel heard me and said: “We need to work together.” I joined Nu Image in 2000.

JF: What do you recall about your time in the group?
CJ: It was amazing. Noel led us spiritually and musically in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Rehearsals were deeply empowering. Our first ministry performance was for Winans Phase 2 – the sons of the original Winans. Do you remember them? We didn’t just sing; we ministered prophetically. It was a turning-point period. I remember wearing a beautiful white dress I had made – and then spending most of the night, prostrate on the stage floor because the presence of God was so strong!

JF: Very Noel. Change the Atmosphere, his most recent album, sounds like more of the same.
CJ: Exactly. Noel still says: “Once Nu Image, always Nu Image!”

JF: What happened next?
CJ: While singing with Nu Image, I was also the NTCG Derby District choir director. That’s where my true love for choirs took root. Back then, young people were singers or musicians. It’s not like that now.

JF: What changed?
CJ: The natural progression of local → district → national choirs has broken down. People prefer small worship teams of four to six, where they can shine. District and national choirs are optional. We need youth choirs back to sustain the legacy.

JF: Are choirs endangered?
CJ: A little, yes. We need to rebuild numbers so the choral discipline remains.

JF: Do you think priorities have shifted, then?
CJ: Yes. In Europe, gospel choirs are treated with high regard.

JF: What do you mean? And how did your European journey start?
CJ: They invest seriously. For example, in Poland, at an event called ‘Gospel on the Rock’, I directed a 99-person outdoor choir – each person had their own mic! They built one full technical setup indoors for rehearsal, then rebuilt everything outdoors. Amazing commitment. Across Europe, choirs wear robes for uniformity; do recordings; host major annual events,  like on the steps of Siena Cathedral in southern Italy. All’s well, I’ll be there this December, where annually thousands gather in the cold to enjoy gospel music.

In our churches I believe we need a recommitment to choirs at every level. Because it’s out there, in our communities. God used us to start it all, and we should keep allowing Him to work through us.

JF: Incredible! Going back to how you started training choirs in Europe…
CJ: It was Bazil Meade who opened the door for me in Europe, starting with Spain. After four days with him, I was on my own – and comfortable with it. He trusted me. The truth is, many choir members in Europe aren’t ‘born again’ Pentecostal Christians; others are atheists but LOVE gospel music.

Recently, in the South of France, I taught seven songs and gave a workshop on ‘Gospel Music Tips’. I prayed for what to say, checked with Steve Thompson and Ruth Waldron, and the answer was clear: the number one Gospel Tip is the Message. So, I teach lyrics with Scripture references or backstories. One lady said she’d sung in the choir for 20 years and had never understood a song’s message until then.

Karen Gibson has two sayings: be intentional and draw out the gold. I choose songs with intentionality and aim to draw out the gold in the singers. I don’t choose songs just for the vibe. For example, with ‘I Will Trust’ (Richard Smallwood), I provide references. My favourites include ‘Total Praise’, ‘Glorify the Lord’ (Sandra Crouch), and yes, ‘O Happy Day’, though I have a love-hate relationship with it because in Europe it’s always asked for. Bazil always encourages me to teach the old hymns.

JF: What countries have you worked in?
CJ: Italy (probably the most), Denmark, Poland, South of France, Holland, Spain. This month is my first weekend home since September – and it all starts again this weekend right throughout December.

JF: Do you use interpreters?
CJ: Most choirs sing in English. Interpreters help with clarity. The applause tells you when they get it.

JF: And the bands?
CJ: Bands in Europe are very good – strong notation readers. They may not always have the gospel “feel”, but they work extremely well.

JF: You’re based in Manchester. What’s music life like there?
CJ: Very, very busy. Monday to Thursday, I work in schools teaching music – and they often request a gospel choir for after school. One school choir has grown to 60 children every week for years – and they are EXCELLENT! I’m also part of the annual Festival of Praise, led by Pastor Abimbola Komolafe (Jubilee Church RCCG), which has had over 70,000 in attendance over the years. I was also a founding member of Warehouse Worship (Victor Omosebi and Ezekiel Omosebi). They’ve grown massively – even ministering at the UK’s new Co-op Live – an arena with a capacity of over 23,000. Thursdays, I prep for weekend travel across Europe from Friday to Sunday, and then back in time for work on Monday.

JF: Some may not know, but you did have a very dark period in the past few years – your diagnosis with cancer. How did you cope while doing all this?
CJ: Years ago, a benign growth in my head was resolved. But, more recently, a doctor on a phone triage looked closely at a test result and his intervention discovered two Stage 1 & 2 tumours. I’ll always be grateful to that doctor. I had mentioned the pain before, but no one had acted. Because of the second tumour, I needed chemotherapy.

I was actually booked to go on a Caribbean tour with Sinach. I would have travelled, completely unaware, with a dangerous outcome. I lost all my hair, which was hard because I love hair. But good people supported me (thank you, Bishop & Mother Mullings). I kept myself busy by recording a live Facebook song every day for seven days, using backing tracks and focusing my mind. Now I’m beyond treatment, with gratitude.

JF: How would you summarise your testimony?
CJ: Praising God through the storm. Tramaine (Hawkins) sings ‘I Never Lost My Praise’ – that was me. I found reasons to laugh. I also started The Carla Jane Show, sharing about myodd experiences. The feedback from many has been pure encouragement – for them and for me. Just be yourself. Someone will be helped.

JF: So, after everything, WHERE is your album? We need the legacy of your voice!
CJ: You’ve always asked! For me, it hasn’t been a priority. Noel also encourages me. I’m trusting that I will.

JF: And, when she does, I’m sure every choir and musical peer she has uplifted will support her. What a fitting culmination that would be.

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