Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Vanessa Bell Armstrong is a celebrated gospel and R&B singer whose powerful voice and emotive performances have left an indelible mark on the gospel music landscape. Raised in a spiritually rich environment, her father served as a minister at the Greater Mount Everett Church of God, where Armstrong began singing in the choir at the age of four and eventually took on the role of choir director.

Armstrong's professional music career commenced in 1983 with the release of her debut album, Peace Be Still. The album's title track became one of her signature songs, showcasing her unique ability to blend traditional gospel with contemporary R&B influences. Her sophomore album, Chosen, achieved significant success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.

Throughout her illustrious career, Armstrong has collaborated with numerous gospel luminaries, including Mattie Moss Clark, Daryl Coley, The Clark Sisters, Rance Allen, and James Cleveland. Her versatility and appeal led her to mainstream platforms, such as performing the theme song for the 1980s NBC sitcom "Amen" and appearing on Broadway in the gospel musical "Don't Get God Started" in 1987.

Armstrong's contributions to gospel music have been recognized with multiple accolades. She is a seven-time Grammy Award nominee and has received both Stellar and Soul Train Awards.

After a brief hiatus, she returned to the music scene with the album A Brand New Day in 2001, followed by Walking Miracle in 2007, which was inspired by her son's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis. In 2024, Armstrong released the album Today, featuring collaborations with artists like Thomas Whitfield, Walter Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, and John P. Kee.

Beyond her musical achievements, Armstrong is a devoted mother of five and was honored with an honorary doctorate in theology from Next Dimension University.