The Chitans Sign with Horizon Records

Arden, North Carolina (May 14, 2020)
Like the message it serves, Southern Gospel music knows no geographical boundaries. Kaiziah, Kayandra, Jesse, Jayden and Karlainah Chitan and their parents, Layne and Karen, spend most of the year traveling the world and serving the communities they stop in through ministering in churches, hospitals, nursing homes, senior homes, community centers, prisons, slums and on the streets — and though they’re based in Canada, the foundation of their musical ministry is the Southern Gospel style they’ve listened to all their lives.

Now, The Chitans have signed with Horizon Records to extend that ministry through the release of Set Apart, their latest album produced by Roger Talley and recorded at Crossroads Studios in Arden, North Carolina.

“The first time I heard The Chitans sing, I was struck by how the audience responded to them. They made an instant connection that rarely happens,” says Talley. “I knew then that they have the potential to minister to people of every race and culture with their angelic voices and pure hearts. I’m excited about helping them broaden their ministry by partnering with them and Crossroads on this new release.”

“We, The Chitans, believe that God has set us apart for a special purpose. With that in mind, we are forever grateful to Him for the provisions, visions and directions that he has given to us daily,” the family adds. “We are very fortunate to meet and work with some great people that God has placed on our path. Crossroads/Horizons Records is one such entity. God knew what sort of help we needed as a family in ministry and he provided it through Crossroads.”

Though Southern Gospel is their chosen musical “home,” the sound of The Chitans has room for other influences, ranging from the accents of their native Caribbean region to the soulful rhythms of African-American congregations found across the northern continent. But whether they’re belting out an up-tempo song of joy, or offering a contemplative ballad, their music is always expressive, and always rooted in faith and tradition.

“We appreciate all the prayers, encouragement, support and hard work that everyone has given us as we labor together building up the kingdom,” say The Chitans. “With a new and organized team working alongside us, we know that the journey will become more exciting yet challenging, so, we solicit your prayers and support as we see where God is taking us.”

The Chitans will be releasing two singles — “Set Apart” and “Jesus Is Moving” — on May 22 ahead of a worldwide day of prayer they’re hosting.

Also titled Jesus Is Moving, the live-streamed worldwide day of prayer event will be May 30. Hosted by The Chitans, Jesus Is Moving will feature artists Brian Free and Assurance, The Talleys, The Whisnants, The McNeils from the United States; LYNC, The Cuffeys, Paschal Kalumbi, Tiffany Campbell-Dailey Smith from Canada; The Foster Triplets from Jamaica; Xclusive from South Africa and many others to be announced. Fans can tune in throughout the day on The Chitans’ website, YouTube and Facebook.

About The Chitans
Kaiziah, Kayandra, Jesse, Jayden and Karlainah Chitan and their parents, Layne and Karen, travel the world singing wherever they are called upon to do so, to share Jesus’s love with all people, especially the children of the world.

Based in Toronto, Canada, the family travels the world, serving the communities they stop in through ministering in churches, hospitals, nursing homes, senior homes, community centers, prisons, slums and on the streets (feeding the homeless). The family has sung at religious, cultural, human rights and civic gatherings throughout Canada, the United States — including at The White House and on Capitol Hill — Kenya (Africa), the United Kingdom, the Caribbean including Bermuda and to heads of state in Jamaica, Grenada, Bermuda and Canada.

In July of 2012, the family received a Congressional Award from the United States of America, for volunteer work done on the streets of Brooklyn, New York.

The Chitans have ministered with Lynda Randle, Woody Wright, The Nelons, The Collingsworth Family, The Talleys, Mark Bishop, Gordon Mote, Guy Penrod, Bobby Jones on Bobby Jones Presents, RussTaff, Wintley Phipps, Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends, and have sung at Singing in the Sun, Gatlinburg Gathering, National Quartet Convention and Gaither’s Fall Fest.