Jo Ann Woods

Jo Ann Woods is a native Houstonian, the older of two children of Joe Ellis and Leavergia Woods. Ms. Woods received her Christian experience at the age of eight. She began singing solos at one year old under the direction of her mother who was her musician. After graduating from Evan E. Worthing High School, she attended Texas Southern University majoring in Business Administration. She was a member of the TSU Gospel Choir under the direction of the legendary V. Michael McKay. She also served as President of Terry Jackson and the Interfaith Crusade Young People's Choir, Public Relations for Ronald Materre & IVP and Director of Marketing and Public Relations of Charles Tyrone and the Faith Community Singers. Woods has performed with many gospel music greats and has traveled extensively around the country and internationally promoting gospel music. Her gospel roots allowed her to perform and record with the King of Gospel, Rev. James Cleveland and many others. Also was a guest singer at New York's Apollo Theater. She sang backup for Howard Hewett on the HBO Special "Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crimes - Take No Prisoners Part II" which also starred Damon Wayans and Sinbad, starred in the movie "Jason's Lyric"which also starred Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett and Bokeem Woodbine; Bobby Jones Gospel, Texas Gospel Music Awards and Wrigley's Spearmint Gum Gospel Choir national Competition, Road Manager for Composer and Playwright Michael Matthews, Road Manager for the legendary quartet group, "The Christianaires"; a lead actress in Documentary Film "Exit To Freedom" and much more. Ms. Woods has served as Director of Artist Relations for Take It To The Bridge, Marketing Representative for Stellar Awards Gospel Star Search, Music Director and Minister of Music of Children Music Ministries at several churches in the Houston area, Music Director for the Good Gang Children's Choir and Faith Community Choir Children's Choir, Music Teacher at Southwest Community Christian Academy and Event Chairperson for the American Christian Schools International (ACSI) South Central District Choral & Piano Festivals. She has also worked with the Children's Music Ministry at Word of Restoration International Church where Apostle Dr. Charles E. Perry, Jr. is her Pastor. On a national level, she serves as the Financial Secretary and Computer Operations for the Academic Division of the Gospel Music Workshop of America where she has been a member for 50+ years; Director of Sponsorship for the National Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation; National Coordinator of Jeff Major's Network of Doves (his homeless initiative); Vice President of the Houston Gospel Industry Network; Facilitator for the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards Music Industry Educational Forum; Development Officer and Director of Volunteers for Kingdom View Empowerment Center; She manages several music artists, one who has two radio shows which she produces. Jo Ann Woods is the proud President/CEO of JAW Entertainment Group and is a highly respected marketing and management professional with over 50 years of experience. Those and many other attributes have ushered JAW Entertainment Group into becoming a world-class Marketing and Management Company. In October of 2005, she saw the need to give a voice to independent artists trying to minister and present their musical and speaking talent Locally, Nationally, and Internationally. Ms. Woods says, "I am proud to represent some of the finest artists in Gospel music today". JAW Entertainment Group is your talent resource for concerts, speakers, workshops, plays, and tours". Ms. Woods enjoys training young voices, event coordinating and traveling. She exercises her spiritual gifts in encouraging and edifying.