WLIB's Gospel Explosion and More Set for Gospel Lineup at SummerStage 2013

The sounds of gospel music ring out with music from contemporary and classic figures in the field as an integral part of the 2013 Summerstage festival.

SummerStage invites audiences to experience the song and spirit of Reverend Hezekiah Walker at Betsy Head Park on June 19; Joshua Nelson and Della Reese commemorating the legend of Mahalia Jackson in Central Park onJune 22; WLIB's Annual Gospel Explosion in Central Park featuring Shirley Caesar, Donald Lawrence, James Fortune and F.I.Y.A., Erica Campbell and Ricky Dillard on August 3; and Tye Tribbett and Tasha Cobbs in Marcus Garvey Park on August 8.

A selection of shows featuring gospel artists at this year's SummerStage follows. For the most up-to-date scheduling and line-up for all SummerStage programming, follow SummerStage via the below links and visit www.CityParksFoundation.org for festival information.

SummerStage 2013 - Gospel Programming:

Doors for all Central Park shows open one hour prior to listed showtimes. Shows taking place at all other parks are in open-air venues and do not have "door times"; show starts promptly at stated time.

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Hezekiah Walker

In association with WLIB and WBLS

Presented by SummerStage

FREE SHOW at Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn

Showtime: 7:00 PM - 9:00PM

For over 25 years, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir have spread the Gospel of Jesus to a variety of audiences, changing the lives of many around the world. They have performed and recorded with several major secular artists, including Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Brian McKnight, Justin Timberlake, Enrique Iglesias, Brandy and Baby Face to name a few. Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir have received numerous GRAMMY nominations for their fifteen critically acclaimed albums, including their wins for Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College and for Love is Live. With their nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Best Gospel Artist, Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir have further cemented themselves as a power player in the Gospel music world.

Artist Website: www.lovefellowship.com

Saturday June 22, 2013

"Make a Joyful Noise" - A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson

featuring JOSHUA NELSON, the Prince of Kosher Gospel

and special guest Della Reese

Featuring a Full-Length Screening of

Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory

In association with ImageNation Cinema Foundation

Presented by SummerStage

FREE SHOW at Central Park, Manhattan

Recommended Arrival Time: 5:00pm

Showtime: 6:00 PM - 10:00PM

To mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, which called for civil and economic rights for African Americans, SummerStage honors the storied legacy of famed Gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson with an evening of music and film. Listen to Joshua Nelson, known as "The Prince of Kosher Gospel", as he pays tribute to Ms. Jackson with his creative reinterpretations of her original catalogue, followed by the screening of "Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory" which gives an intimate look into the life and rise of the famed singer that changed our history one note at a time.

Joshua Nelson, the self-proclaimed "Prince of Kosher Gospel", has created a music genre that blends together his religion and his heritage. In a New York Times Article, Nelson said "Kosher gospel isn't an imitation of traditional gospel music, but the marriage of ethnic African music and Christian music." In his music, Nelson combines the lyrics and meanings of Judaism with the soulful sounds of American Gospel music. For his audiences, whatever their faith or heritage, kosher Gospel has been a revelation. Now in his early thirties, Nelson has performed around the world, for presidents, congregations, major music festivals-and for Oprah, who named him a "Next Big Thing." In 2008, Nelson released his latest album, Mi Chamocha.

Artist Website: www.joshuanelson.com/fr_home.cfm

While developing her music skills as a teenager, Della Reese had the opportunity to tour with Mahalia Jackson. From 1969 to 1970, Reese hosted a television talk show while guest starring on many shows into the 1980s, including Sanford and Son, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. In 1987, she was nominated for a Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music GRAMMY Award. In the late 1990s, Reese landed a starring role on television's Touched By An Angel, alongside Roma Downey and John Dye, while continuing her music career.

Mahalia Jackson's music cut through whatever lay in its wake and shackled itself to your soul. Those who witnessed her singing spoke of being taken to a sacred place, of the sheer power of her voice, of the rapturous, transcendent nature of the experience. Jackson was considered by many to be the world's greatest Gospel singer and the creator of a musical standard by which all would be judged."Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory" follows the course of her extraordinary life, from her humble beginnings as a sickly child singing in the churches of New Orleans, through her years in relative obscurity, to her breakthrough and her role as a civil rights activist and her ascendancy to Carnegie Hall and the great stages of Europe. Director Jeff Scheftel gives intimate insight into Jackson's life with archival footage and interviews with those who knew her best.

Saturday August 3, 2013

WLIB's Sixth Annual Gospel Explosion featuring

SHIRLEY CAESAR

Donald Lawrence

James Fortune & F.I.Y.A.

ERICA CAMPBELL (of MARY MARY)

RICKY DILLARD

Presented by SummerStage

FREE SHOW at Central Park, Manhattan

Recommended Arrival Time: 2:00pm

Showtime: 3:00 PM - 7:00PM

Shirley Caesar is the undisputed First Lady of Gospel Music. In a career that spans over 60 years, she is arguably the most beloved and celebrated Gospel artist of our timE. Caesar started out in the early 60's singing with the legendary group, The Caravans. From there, she ventured into a solo career in 1966. Since then, she has released over 30 solo albums, and has amassed an impressive collection of awards and accolades. Her latest album, GOOD GOD, is a brand new collection of songs that includes Caesar's signature dynamic delivery and beautifully crafted orchestration and production.

Artist Website: www.shirleycaesar.com

Producer, composer and recording artist, Donald Lawrence is one of the most influential figures in modern Gospel music. Having worked with several groups, including the Tri-City Singers, before tackling his solo career, he transformed the group into an internationally acclaimed choir, with hits such as "The Best is Yet to Come" and "The Blessing of Abraham" which topped the Gospel charts. Lawrence's debut solo album, I Speak Life, earned him a GRAMMY nomination and seven Stellar Gospel Music Awards, including song of the year for "Healed." After a highly celebrated first album, Lawrence's success continued with his sophomore album, The Law of Confession Part 1 when it peaked at number two on the Billboard Gospel Album charts. The album highlights the unique gospel sound of Lawrence and his ten-plus member backing ensemble, The Co.

Artist Website: www.verityrecords.com/artist/donald-lawrence

Stellar Award winner James Fortune & F.I.Y.A. set the world ablaze with their breakthrough debut album, You Survived and the lead single of the same name hit #2 on the R&B Gospel singles chart. Fortune amassed worldwide recognition in 2009 with the award winning emotionally charged song, "I Trust You" off of the sophomore release, The Transformation. A dynamic songwriter, producer and arranger, Fortune delivers a timeless message, that has earned him two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards and several Soul Train and Stellar nominations. His 2012 release, Identity debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel and Christian charts and is a powerful collection of soul-stirring songs of encouragement, hope and healing that speaks into the hearts of the religious and agnostic alike.

Artist Website: www.jamesfortunemusic.com

Ever since Erica Campbell, one half of the of Gospel duo Mary Mary, broke through in 2000 with the pioneering crossover hit "Shackles (Praise You)," the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone. An amazing thirteen years later, having earned 3 GRAMMY Awards, 2 American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award and a BET Award, Erica Campbell has released a solo single, entitled "I Need Just a Little More Jesus."

Ricky Dillard's signature choir vocal arrangements and melodies are definitive and timeless. His newest CD, Keep Living, is no exception. Recorded live at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit, MI, the lead single "God is Great" became an instantaneous classic which continues to rise on the charts, and immediately encourages listeners to clap along. The record, which includes hits such as "I Am Saved" and "He Turned It," all bring Dillard and his choir on to another level of inspiration, and creates an immediate connection with audiences.

Artist Website: www.lightrecords.com/artists/ricky-dillard

Thursday August 8, 2013

TYE TRIBBETT

TASHA COBBS

In association with WLIB

Presented by SummerStage

FREE SHOW at Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

Showtime: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Although Tye Tribbett has toured and performed with some of the biggest artists in the secular world, including Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Tim McGRaw, Elton John and Jill Scott, this GRAMMY nominated artist's musical talents lie in the realm of Gospel music. Tribbett passionately spreads the goodness of God through his music. His musical ministry's songs use the "buildups of rock power ballads, the slow strut of P-Funk and churchy, organ-driven call-and-response" to touch the hearts of many, according to The New York Times. With his solo debut at #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart, his album Freshpositions Tribbett to step forth boldly with a new message of renewal. According to the Washington Post, this "wondrous album" highlights Tribbett's songwriting skills as he wrote or co-wrote each song, showcasing a variety of powerful music, including the first single "Fresh." Tribbett's previous chart-topping albums,Victory Live! and Stand Out! featured his former musical ensemble and gospel choir, Greater Anointing.

Artist Website: www.tyetribbett.com

When Tasha Cobbs took the stage at Northview Christian Church in Montgomery, Alabama in 2012, she did so neither as a nationally renowned vocalist, nor as a recording artist making her major-label debut. Instead, with microphone in hand, she ascended the platform prepared to do what she had done every week since her teenage years-lead the congregation into worship. It is no surprise then that the result of her effort, the album, Grace stands as a moving example of the raw power of a live worship experience. The eight-song project reveals Tasha at her best as a psalmist, songwriter, and minister.

Artist Website: http://tashacobbs.org

Website: www.cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/
Twitter: @SummerStage #SummerStage13 #ThisIsHipHop
Facebook: www.facebook.com/summerstagenyc

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.

SummerStage reminds patrons that in the interest of public safety the following items cannot be brought into the Central Park venue: glass bottles, cans, coolers, folding chairs, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, beach umbrellas, video cameras, tape recorders, professional camera gear or pets. All bags are subject to search. Bringing alcoholic beverages into any NYC park is forbidden and the distribution or sale of unauthorized promotional materials is not allowed. Beer and wine are on sale at the Central Park venue for on­site consumption only.