The Color
Originating from Manitoba, Canada, Jordan Janzen and James Shiels began The Color after a season in life when they thought they were letting go of their music dreams. Following some spiritually transformative years, Jordan and James both entered into full-time ministry in 2009. Jordan as a youth pastor and James a summer camp director. Both Jordan and James dove into full-time ministry with the intention of fully embracing where God had them, while still maintaining their friendship.
“We started to connect for accountability purposes,” James says. “We got the go ahead to meet once a week to talk about life and ministry. We would meet, process what God was teaching us and share about the joys, hardships and life-changing stories within our ministries. These experiences soon began to inspire new songs. Songs about hope in the midst of life’s toughest times and songs that celebrate who God is through those times. It was here that The Color came to life. God brought things full circle. What Jordan and James both thought was a calling away from music turned out to be a time of preparation for a ministry in music. “It’s amazing how half a decade of learning to serve and love people will change you,” Jordan points out.
The guys decided to make a record with the songs they had written and, with a desire to begin spreading the music and cover their costs, they put a band together and hit the road. Enter Larry Abrams on lead guitar and Tyson Unrau on the drums. “God has been so faithful in bringing the right people to be a part of the team, at the right time.” explains James. “Larry began right from the start of our touring and when Tyson joined us, a little later, it felt like God was putting the final pieces together.”
It doesn’t take long to recognize that The Color brings an energy and authenticity, both with their music and personalities, that quickly draws people in. “The thought behind the name ‘The Color' comes from the idea that color brings life to the world around us.” Larry shares. “That is what we want to do with our lives and music. We want to bring life and a message of hope that we know can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
With this desire at the core of each song, concert and connect, the band has been able build a sustainable touring schedule in Canada, which is no small feat. The Color has been awarded multiple Canadian GMA awards and has spent the last few years touring their home country, full-time, from Coast to Coast. They have shared the stage with many great artists such as For King & Country, Tenth Avenue North, Jamie Grace, Kutless and they most recently toured across Canada with Grammy-nominated Building 429. One of the band’s biggest offstage highlights was having the opportunity to sing background vocals on a recent Michael W. Smith single, ‘He Will Never End (From “The Passion: New Orleans”).
On July 28th, 2017 The Color released their debut single, ‘Surprise’, to AC and Hot AC/CHR. The single reached #31 on the Billboard's CHRISTIAN AC NATIONAL AIRPLAY CHART (11/04/2017), #19 on Billboard's CHRISTIAN AC INDICATOR CHART (10/28/2017) and #25 on Billboard's CHRISTIAN AC MONITORED CHART (09/16/2017). Following the release of the single, The Color will launch their first US tour in the beginning of 2018. Produced by Bryan Fowler (Toby Mac, Mandisa, Ryan Stevenson),
‘Surprise’ is an energetic and encouraging reminder about the confidence and bravery that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. “‘Surprise’ was written as a response to who God is, in the midst of the unexpected challenges life throws our way,” James asserts. “Our God is faithful. He never leaves you; He never forsakes you”. “That, gives you an incredible confidence that allows you to be brave. Stepping forward in faith to places unknown. Brave enough to step over an edge knowing only one thing: that our God will be there to catch you by surprise.”
