Joann Rosario

Originating from a Puerto Rican household in Chicago, JoAnn Rosario experienced an upbringing shaped equally by religious life—her father served as a preacher—and by music, having sung from childhood. In adulthood she lent her voice to the notable Fred Hammond as a member of his ensemble Radical for Christ. Her debut album, More, More, More, appeared in 2002 through Hammond’s newly established label in association with Verity Records, a Zomba subsidiary, fusing urban R&B textures with contemporary gospel and Latin elements. Vocal difficulties surfaced soon after the release. In the following year nodules developed on her vocal chords, rendering ordinary speech—and certainly singing—nearly impossible. After withdrawing for treatment and recovery, she resurfaced in 2005 with Now More Than Ever...Worship and delivered Joyous Salvation two years later.