About Darlene Smith Jackson

Darlene Smith Jackson is a native of Portsmouth, VA. She was born on August 10th to the late James and Alma Smith. She is the 7th of seven children. Darlene attended Portsmouth Public Schools and is a 1977 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. While attending high school, she was a member of the band where she played the clarinet, flute, and piccolo. In high school, Darlene was selected to participate in the District and Regional Workshop Bands were she played the clarinet. She was also selected to participate in the Tidewater Jr. Youth Symphony where she played first chair flute. Darlene attended Tidewater Community College and later transferred to Old Dominion University and graduated in December 1982 with a B.S. in Secondary Education – Instrumental Music. She is a former music teacher for the Portsmouth Public School system.

Darlene has been blessed with so much musical ability and gives God all the praise, glory, and honor for it. Not only does she write the music that she sings, she plays the keyboard, is an independent producer and recording engineer.
Darlene has recorded several CD’s and in April 2005, celebrated the release of her CD entitled “Songs From My Heart To Yours” with a concert held at I.C. Norcum High School, Portsmouth, VA.

In July 2006, she had the honor of being named finalist by the VH 1 Song Of The Year songwriting contest. Song of the Year is an international contest supporting VH-1 Save the Music Foundation. The judges were some of the big names in the music industry including many Grammy Award winners. Only the top 5 are named finalists in the competition. In December 2006, Darlene was named finalist once more. Other songwriting awards she received were: Honorable Mention, May and November 2006. Runner Up, August 2006 and February 2007 and Suggested Artist October 2006.

Darlene has appeared on several music programs on TV and had her very own radio broadcast on WPCE.

Darlene is a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA where the pastor is Dr. William S. Hampton. She is a member of the Voices of Calvary, The Ministry of Creative Arts, and Pastors Aid Ministries.

Darlene is married to Michael A. Jackson who is a member of the Trustees and Male Ushers Ministries of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Darlene realizes that with Christ, she can do all things because he strengthens her each day. Her new CD titled “Songs Inspired By God” says it all. The ministry of music is her calling and she has answered the call.
In all of the songs she plays all the music and does all of the background vocals.
The Lord uses her over and over again through the ministry of music. And yes, she is a born again Christian, a child of the living God.

Band Members