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ESTEE
(AKA Shon Hubble)

Bio

Phenomenal Gospel music vocalist. Accomplished pianist and keyboard player. Prolific writer of more than 100 songs. Dynamic music arranger and producer. These are just a few phrases that describe Estee (AKA Shon Hubble), Gospel artist extraordinaire.

Estee has a strong, crystal clear voice with an astounding range. She can go from tenor to soprano effortlessly. She also has "perfect pitch" - an ability only one in 10,000 people possesses - which allows her to immediately recognize and play any musical note she hears.

Estee's range in music styles is just as expansive. "She's extremely gifted and she can sing any genre of music - jazz, R&B, rap, Gospel. All her vocals are top flight. You don't see that a lot," said Terry Troutman, one of the original members of the R&B band Zapp. She's often been compared to Kim Burrell, India Arie and Cece Winans.

Estee's musical prowess emerged at the tender age of 3, when she began playing a little battery operated organ her older sister had received as a Christmas present. "Before long I began to hear songs in TV commercials and then pick them out on my keyboard. Pretty soon whatever I would hear I could pick it up and play it on my keyboard. I'm pretty much like a juke box."

She began writing songs in middle school, when she formed a Gospel singing group called Proverbs that performed her songs at churches in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Estee had only two years of formal music lessons before attending college at Central State University, a traditionally Black college near Dayton, Ohio. At Central State she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, and she had the honor of being the first female accompanist for the Gospel choir at Central State.

She began pursuing an R&B singing career during her sophomore year in college. After graduating, she taught music for five years in parochial schools. All the while, though, she was building her career, traveling around the country, performing in clubs and opening for a number of acts. Her credits include opening for Kelly Price and in 2002 performing on "The Way We Do It" on BET.

In 2005, Estee's music career began to move in another direction. The change started when she met Rick Hubble, who would later become her husband. He is the leader of "The Word" - a Gospel Rhythm and Praise band. He was looking for a keyboard player for the group at the time, and her manager recommended Estee.

"When I saw her perform I knew there was something there - a spirit of excellence, and I wanted her to be a part of The Word," Rick explained. "She asked me if I was sure I wanted an R&B artist to play and sing in my band. Of course, I said yes. Until then, though, I had always required all band members to be both committed Christians and completely committed to performing only Christian music."

Although she continued to also perform as an R&B artist, she found herself being pulled back to her "first love" - Gospel music. "Gospel music has always been a part of me and very influential in my singing style," Estee said. "Even my manager who was promoting me as a secular artist, told me Gospel music was the way I should go. He said he could see even more depth of feeling when I sang a Gospel song."

In 2006 she decided to go 100 percent Gospel. "It was a revelation from God," Estee said. "I had decided I wanted to do a Gospel music album, but I didn't want to straddle the fence. God used the influence of Rick and my family, but it was my choice. I had to first look inside to see if I was really ready. For me, Gospel music is more than a career - it is a commitment and a lifestyle."

Estee's commitment is rock solid, remaining firm even when she was offered a secular recording contract that same year. "This record deal was something my managers had been working toward during the five years they had been working with me," Estee explained. "But I was in the process of becoming a Gospel music performer and I felt strongly I had to turn it down."

Estee is now in full-time music ministry, and she has no regrets. Estee remains keyboardist and one of the lead vocalists for "The Word." She ministers with the group at various churches, conferences and events around the nation. Their gigs include ministering on the famous Bobbie Jones Gospel television show. Estee opened for The Word at "Koinonia" - a Christian entertainment night spot in Fairfield, Ohio.

She is also the chief musician for the church in which she grew up -- Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. She accompanies, teaches and sings with the church's three choirs. "She's really made a difference in our praise and worship," said Rev. Herbert Mabry, Greater Liberty's pastor. "From the time she was a child she's always been rooted and grounded in Christ. That's what has produced her success. She's a blessing to us."

After she made the decision to "sell out" totally to singing Gospel music, God gave her the song "Move." "It's an upbeat song that is about going further and deeper in your relationship and walk with God. It says yes, it's good you are now living nicely. But don't be satisfied with where you are. God has even greater things for you."

The greater things God has in store for Estee includes the recent completion of her CD "Anew" and the establishment of Omega 7 Productions, an independent recording label she and her husband Rick are building. For more information on "Anew" or Omega 7, visit www.omega7productions.com.

"Gospel music is so important to me and to our world," Estee concluded. "It gives us a universally understood way to spread the good news of Jesus Christ."