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MUSIC AS UNIFYING FORCE IN MANDELAS’S MARCH TO FREEDOM
February is set aside to celebrate Black History Month in America. In December 2013, the world mourned the loss of Nelson Mandela. In Mandela's fight for world unity and equality, music played an important political instrument in that fight.
When former South African President Nelson Mandela died on Dec. 5 at the age of 95, thousands of mourners gathered outside his onetime family home in Soweto township near Johannesburg to dance and sing. From the outside, it seemed more like a celebration than an expression of grief, but to South Africans, and to those of us who have lived there, it was the most honorable tribute they could have given him.
South Africa is a nation divided by words. It has 11 official languages— nine tribal ones, plus Afrikaans and English — and during more than four decades of racial oppression, the country’s policy of apartheid used
that to its advantage. Black South Africans were segregated not only from whites but from one another, forced to live in “designated homelands” that prevented the tribes from forming a unified rebellion. That plan failed, in large part, because of one language the government overlooked – music.
For African-Americans, the sound of South Africa echoes like the protest songs of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. As Nelson Mandela wrote in his 1994 autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, “African Music can ignite the political resolve of those who might otherwise be indifferent to politics . . . Politics can be strengthened by music, but music has a potency that defies politics.”
Mandela's fight and struggle caused célèbre on U.S. and U.K. college campuses, thanks to the 1984 a joyful, leap-to-your-feet rallying cry imploring the government to release him, and the 1985 crunching rock anthem ”Sun City” from Artists United Against Apartheid. The following year, artists worldwide participated in a six-concert Amnesty International Tour, A Conspiracy of Hope, that raised awareness about ”prisoners of conscience,” including Mandela. By the end of the decade, Broadway and Hollywood had joined the cause, with the film Cry Freedom.
When Mandela stepped out of prison on February 11, 1990, he had been transformed from a national freedom fighter into an international symbol of liberation. Music always set the stage – as it did after Mandela's
release when there was a concert at Wembley Stadium in London when he came to address the crowd. He received an eight-minute standing ovation. "It was an amazing moment in my life,” Mandela stated. He would go on towin the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and become South Africa’s first black president the following year. His life is one of the most pivotal narratives of the 20th century.
GospeLive Productions Producer Maurice Lynch stated, “I had the great pleasure of meeting President Mandela in May 2005 when he visited The Riverside Church where I am a member in New York City. This was Mandela's last visit to the United States.” Lynch explained, “His presence and spirit filled the entire Church.” The many songs and music praising and celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela brought those in attendance at the Church to their feet in unity.
The story of Mandela is best told not through his own life, really, but through his people. For all his achievements, his most indelible was showing black South Africans, who had been shamed into believing
that they were fit for little more than servitude, that they were not merely equal but had the capacity for greatness. After his death, a week marked by speeches from global dignitaries praising Mandela’s leadership, in the stadium-packed crowds, ensued. The real farewell took place in churches and village gatherings, and in that throng outside his Soweto home. There is a belief among black South Africans — a belief as central to their identity as to the identity of the African-American Spirit — that we are all connected in an integral part of a whole.
Although customs may be different, the beat is still the same. Let us remember this as America honors February as Black History Month. The strength of music will forever be a common bond that links Africans and African-Americans. During this great month of celebration, let all freedom and justice loving people throughout the world celebrate Mandela’s strength, courage and hope for a better world.
Article Contributions:
WE Managing Editor-Songs of Freedom- Sean Smith Peace Corps (Additional
contributions Ray Rahman & Maurice Lynch- Producer GospeLive Productions)
GOSPELIVE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: "THE STYLE OF CHRISTMAS" Featuring THE HARLEM GOSPELIVE REVUE
GospeLive Productions Presents:
New Christmas Show and CD Release " The Style Of Christmas".....Celebrating Christmas In New York at The Metropolitan Room in New York City.
GospeLive Productions has taken Christmas music to a whole new level with their holiday CD. "The Style of Christmas" featuring "The Harlem GospeLive Revue" as they "Celebrated Christmas in New York”.
"The Harlem GospeLive Revue" along with Shows Producer & Director Maurice Lynch dazzled an enthusiastic crowd with a fantastic show on Sunday December 1, 2013 at The Metropolitan Room in New York City.. The Revue performed an up-beat, warm-hearted collection of songs that put the holiday spirit in everyone's soul. The album features new arrangements that are both inventive and engaging from the hard-hitting bass and percussion of “Joy to the World” and "Reason for the Season“ to R&B flavored "It's Christmas Time Again”. The Revue's playful and emotional delivery of “The Angels Sang” , Peace and old favorites like "Baby It's Cold Outside" and " It's The Wonderful Time of the Year" will make you fall in love with Christmas music all over again. “The Style of Christmas" CD is a must-have for your holiday music collection.
Producer and Director Maurice Lynch stated, "Christmas music is an integral and important part of the whole holiday season. Celebrating Christmas in New York is simply magical and a once in a lifetime experience. The music and sounds of Christmas music come alive in all styles and genres from all over the city. I wanted to provide a taste of the city with "The Style Of Christmas" presenting songs appealing to every musical taste. From religious carols like “O Holy Night” and “A Child Is Born” that bring the reason for the season front and center to presenting fun songs that totally get the party started with holiday cheer".
Lynch stated "I can never say it enough. I work with some of the best writers and arrangers in the world which made it possible to present this collection. Becky White, Hydrick Gass and Gloria German penned such wonderful songs." The arrangements and collaboration of Executive Producer Maurice Lynch along. with the Production by AJaay Swindell and Stephon Clay culminated in a stellar collection.
"I had such a great time working with the Revue. We always have so much fun together and " The Style Of Christmas" has elevated our commitment to presenting the best music and entertainment to the world" Lynch stated.
For more information on this show and album release of “The Style Of Christmas”, and more on The Wonderful World of GospeLive this season, please visit,www.gospelive.com. This great CD is available at www.gospelive.com and through CD Baby,Itunes,Amazon and other online retailers.
For Media Inquiries & Bookings Contact:
Alex Turcola – Director of Marketing & Sales, GospeLive Productions and Entertainment, New York City 212-920-4282 or alex@gospelive.com
Presenting the Best in Entertainment; Our Voice, Our Legacy, Our Music
http://www.gospelive.com
Kick-Off The Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend Sunday December 1, 2013 with “The Harlem GospeLive Revue”
MAURICE LYNCH MUSIC-LIVE at” The Metropolitan Room”“The Harlem GospeLive Revue” There is nothing like “Christmas in New York”. It’s so wonderful and festive seeing the holiday season come upon city. It’s such a wonderful experience and celebration. Add to this magical celebration this season with Harlem GospeLive’s “Christmas in New York” spend a holiday evening with the shows Director Maurice Lynch and The Fabulous Harlem GospeLive Revue as they present their new Holiday CD.
The Harlem GospeLive Revue will bring you such favorites as “The Angels Sang”, “Oh Holy Night”, “A Child Is Born”, “Joy To the World”, “ Baby Its Cold Outside”, “It’s Christmas Time Again” and other great songs to usher in holiday cheer this Christmas Season, as well as adding popular gospel hits. The show is filled with music, lights and action from beginning to end. It promises to be a show for those with a passion for gospel will not want to miss.
This show is a fundraiser for The National Foundation for Culture and Art & other programs that GospeLive Productions Support.
The Harlem GospeLive Revue is a division of GospeLive Productions. Visit www.GospeLive.com for more information on the troupe &show.
Promotional DVD - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPwykudpt7o
Celebrating “Christmas In New York”
Holiday CD Release Show
Sunday December 1, 2013
Metropolitan Room
7:00 P.M.( Doors open at o6:15 PM)
New York, N.Y.
34 WEST 22ND Street.. New York, N.Y. 10010
212-206-0440
Limited seating available for this event please call 212-206-0440 or order tickets online at:
http://metropolitanroom.com/show.cfm?id=101128
ENJOY GOSPELIVE AT: THE ARTS ARE ALIVE FESTIVAL ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK! PARADE & FESTIVAL
JOIN GOSPELIVE PRODUCTIONS FOR: THE ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK!
PARADE & FESTIVAL CELEBRATION WHICH KICKS OFF ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 "CELEBRATE & REJOICE A HAPPY DAY" KICK OFF WITH THE MUSIC OF “THE HARLEM GOSPELIVE REVUE”
This Great Festival Celebrates Long Island’s Cultural Landscape Enjoy “The Music of The Harlem GospeLive Revue” at the Front Street Stage in Hempstead, N.Y. Presented by Long Island Arts Alliance and Bethpage Federal Credit Union. From September 27, 2013 – October 2013– Long Island’s Annual Arts Alive LI Festival will Showcase Art, Musical Entertainment and Performing Arts. For a full calendar of events and to purchase tickets visit www.SagHarborMusic.org , www.artsaliveli.org. and GospeLive Productions at http://www.gospelive.com/
AVITAR FACE 2 FACE Interview Producer & Director Maurice Lynch with Hostess Jewel Kinch-Thomas.
G&J Productions founded by husband-wife team Greg Thomas & Jewel Kinch-Thomas
Former Executive & Artistic Director of the Riverside Theatre in NYC, and founder of several programs and festivals, Jewel has curated and produced extensive dance, music and theatre events, with thousands of highly talented artists.
Hostess Jewel Kinch-Thomas had the opportunity to interview Maurice Lynch Executive Producer & Director of GospeLive Productions & Entertainment in New York City.
The shows interview focused on arts culture and education. Jewel was able to have intimate conversations with Maurice Lynch and bring inspirational insight to GospeLive Productions & Entertainment's vision in cultural arts and entertainment.
See the show weekly on Cablevision Channel 76 and Verizon Channel 45 on Tuesdays at 5:00 pm, Wednesdays at 9:00 am,Thursdays at 8:30 pm, Fridays at 12:30 pm.
Visit G&J Productions website at:
Visit GospeLive Productions and Entertainment's website at: http://www.gospeliveproductions.com
GOSPELIVE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: "OH HAPPY DAY" FEATURING " THE HARLEM GOSPELIVE REVUE"
New York – GospeLive Productions & Entertainment in New York City releases the Edwin Hawkins classic, “OH HAPPY DAY”, paying homage to this Gospel Classic. GospeLive Productions is releasing a premier production of this legendary hit available July 2013. Released over 40 years ago in 1969, “OH HAPPY DAY” is a world loved gospel favorite. . In 2006, the American Library of Congress added “OH HAPPY DAY” to the National Recording Registry declaring it culturally and historically significant.
GospeLive Production's Executive Producer and Director Maurice Lynch stated, “OH HAPPY DAY” will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. I am honored and thrilled to release this national gospel anthem. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for GospeLive Productions to present this song, a great testament to the power of gospel music, and the visionary arrangement that Legendary Gospel Icon Edwin Hawkins introduced to the world in 1969.
This exciting CD duo-single release features along with Maurice Lynch, industry icon Dawn Tallman on lead vocals. Dawn’s recording success has garnered her numerous Billboard Hits in House Music and mainstream Gospel. Dawn's unique style catapulted her to be crowned the “Queen of Gospel Energy”. The explosive vocal power of her voice on the GospeLive stage is a fitting tribute to the 40th anniversary of this iconic landmark song and not to mention the style and rich harmony of “The Harlem GospeLive Revue”.
GospeLive Fans will be thrilled with the stellar production of Producer Ajaay Swindell at Musical Salid Productions in New York. Ajaay invited Quennell Gaskin to participate on this recording. Quenell shows off his keyboard skills and truly unveils a new spectrum in contemporary jazz piano. GospeLive Fans will also receive a bonus house remix that will have secular audiences feeling the spirit.
GospeLive originally premiered at the Blue Note in New York City in 2006 and has garnered world acclaim in the performing arts. Its debut release “The Style of Gospel” CD (2010) quickly raised the eyes of billboard and music executives worldwide with chart topping hits. GospeLive Productions has gone on to record and release the inspirational duo single “These Are the Good Times” (2012) with House Re-mix by Josh Milan.
Lynch stated, “My main focus is to produce and present quality music to the world and work towards the preservation of black gospel music. We are celebrating and rejoicing a Happy Day. This song is truly a national treasure.”
For more information on this single release of “OH HAPPY DAY”, and more on The Wonderful World of GospeLive this season, please visit,www.gospelive.com. This great hit will be available July 2013 through CD Baby, Itunes,Amazon and other online retailers.
For media inquiries contact:
Alex Turkujas (Turcola) – Director of Marketing & Sales, GospeLive Productions and Entertainment, New York City 212-920-4282 or alex@gospelive.com
Presenting the Best in Entertainment; Our Voice, Our Legacy, Our Music
http://www.gospelive.com
GospeLive Productions & Entertainment Salutes Edwin Hawkins
GospeLive Productions & Entertainment Salutes Edwin Hawkins, As We Celebrate African-American Music Appreciation Month June 2013.
On behalf of my team at GospeLive Productions we salute and applaud the heritage and ever changing art form that is Black Music. African-American Music Appreciation Month was originally established by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979, as Black Music Month, and is now referred to as African-American Music Appreciation Month. This month presents us with the ability to offer an opportunity to appreciate Black Artist for their contributions to this musical art form.
During this momentous month as we honor great Black music icons; past and present for their accomplishments as performers, producers, writers, technicians, musicians and more. I would like to offer a very special thanks to Gospel Music Icon Edwin Hawkins in recognition for his musical accomplishments
and arrangement of the gospel hit "Oh Happy Day" which will forever be a lasting and significant contribution to the legacy of black gospel music.
I would also like to thank a list of media, venues, stations and supporters worldwide that present our music here at GospeLive. This July 2013 we will present and recognize "Oh Happy Day" in a fantastic duo single release with and incredible arrangement by "The Harlem GospeLive Revue" here in NYC.
In this celebration of African-American Music Appreciation Month as we inspire the business of music, its sound, purpose and its future. Let us continue to plant the seeds and nourish our rising stars and future music trailblazers. Rest assured that our team here at GospeLive Productions will continuously try to be a source of music, culture and information to the musical world.
Maurice Lynch
Producer & Director
GospeLive Productions & Entertainment NYC
Presenting the Best in Entertainment; Our Voice, Our Legacy, Our Music
Alternate Spring Break 2013 (ABS) - New York City Performing Arts- March 19-24 2013
The six day multi-disciplinary program will provide Theatre, Music and Dance workshops and lectures in the performing arts. This program series is open to students seeking to develop their talent in the performing arts but all are encouraged to register and attend.For more information please contact: Columbia University http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/ASBNYC
For more info on GospeLive Production and Entertainment please visit http://www.gospelive.com/
Celebrating Black History Month
AMERICA HONORS FEBRUARY AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
GospeLive, Sharing the Gift of Gospel Music
When "The Harlem GospeLive Revue" sings, "Jesus Loves Me," somehow you know they mean it.
They may start with the traditionally slow version of the famous hymn, but as they get going, the piano, bass guitar and drums soon follow. With the boom-boom of the drums pulsating across the stage floor, the wonderful voices blend together and increase in intensity and passion.
As they sing the chorus - "Yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me; the Bible tells me so," the spiritual energy that comes over the audience seems to soothe whatever problems anyone may be having. For the entire length of the show, the air in the room is cleared and charged with an energy that’s almost palpable.
Nationalities worldwide have been moved through the conviction of Black gospel music and as GospeLive raises their hands in song, I began to understand why I felt myself being moved to tears. Never have I been around a group of singers whose warmth and sincerity of purpose radiated like GospeLive. I had to meet the show’s Producer and Director Maurice Lynch to find out what made his show such an emotionally moving experience. His comments and observations are below.
"When GospeLive sings, it's a spiritual, but also a fraternal feeling that the audience experiences. Often, in the middle of the show I might feel an old gospel song stirring within me that would be perfect to share with the audience, but wasn't rehearsed for the show. I may not be able to stop myself from singing it, the spirit may be just that strong, but by the time I finish the first sentence of the verse or chorus, the cast and musicians are already singing with me! It's a spontaneous event that just seems to captivate and move the audience as much as it does us. It's fraternal, because Gospel music emanates from our soul and it’s the music we've shared and heard throughout our lives as Black Americans, like a soundtrack, or like soul food, but it’s also reverent as we get to share the gift of Gospel with others. It’s a very satisfying experience.” Lynch stated.
Lynch continued, “Black religion and Gospel music for African Americans is very expressive - there are no boundaries within the genre. Our music is an extension of our style as a people. Visit any African American church on Sunday morning and you will see ladies in grand hats and men in sharp suits and you’ll find real “American Idols”, talented, supremely gifted singers from small congregations to modern mega-churches! The music is heartfelt and straight from the soul and an ‘electricity’ is always in the air. It’s been said that Gospel is God’s music and while I totally agree with that, I’ll have to add that African Americans present God’s music in a way that is uniquely our own. Our musical style is a mirror and extension of our creative and fashion sense.”
Maurice encourages all who attend their shows and are touched by the music to develop a greater knowledge of the benefits to be had by extending their vision heavenward and past the music.
As America pays tribute to African Americans during February, Black History Month, a month that honors Blacks for their many contributions to society, the music of the Black American church that makes up Gospel music's core continues to heavily influence the culture and spirituality of a people, a musical genre, and its numerous fans across the globe.
February 2, 2013
Deardra Shuler
Writer
"Carolina Low Country Experiences Spiritual High" with "The Harlem GospeLive Revue"
Elegantly dressed ladies lit the stage and gents clad in tuxedos declaring for everyone to "Celebrate!," Director Maurice Lynch and the sophisticated revue vamped by an equally impressive band went "back to the beginning" with "Amazing Grace", "Steal Away"," We Shall Overcome" and "I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired". “Precious Lord," which preceded with a story. When Thomas Dorsey wrote the song it was considered contemporary for its day, but it is now a revered traditional gospel classic, Lynch recalled to the audience before an incredible soloist moved center stage and belted the gospel classic. GospeLive also moved the audience, paying tribute to Whitney Houston with the Dottie Rambo hit "I Go to the Rock".
For the second half the GospeLive Tenors regally took the stage now donned in formal tail coats. The Tenors brought the house down to cheers and applause with wonderful harmony and classical flair performing the patriotic anthem “The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Setting the stage, as soloist Simone Brown took everything to a "vocal high with" "One Night with a King", before the night went into deep church mode.
Just when you thought the show was over GospeLive once again filled the stage again performing a great arrangement of the Edwin Hawkins classic "Oh Happy Day" and " The Style of Gospel Hit " Praise Him" the latter of which built into a hand-clapping, tambourine-shaking crescendo. After the best singing and music anyone could ever hope to hear the night ended with the Diana Ross hit" Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand."
This show did not disappoint it is truly 90 minutes of spirit-filled gospel energy.
Which took the Carolina Low Country to a spiritual high in Sun City’s Magnolia Hall Theatre.
Lifestyles Director Jackie Bates said she wanted to bring present multicultural headline entertainment to Sun City, and this is just the beginning.
Editor's Review
Posted: October 12, 2012 - 12:10 am
