The MCC is hosting its first “Black Gospel Concert” on Friday May 5^th at 8 pm.  Here are 10 things you need to know about this concert:

1. Black gospel music is a unique genre of music.  The tradition that came to be recognized as black American gospel music emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries alongside ragtime, blues, and jazz. The background of the tradition comes from both black and white music of the 19th century, including, most notably, black spirituals, slave songs, and white hymns.
2. The “Band of Christians” is travelling from Springfield, Illinois to perform in Midland.  That’s a 12 hour van ride each way for a group of 25 people (including family members travelling with the band).
3. The Band performs across the central USA.
4. While the focus of the “Swing Low” concert at the MCC will be black gospel music, the Band has a fresh, eclectic sound that combines youthful elements of rock and hip hop with jazz and gospel.
5. The Band is led by Bishop Jason Brewer, who, as a university student, won numerous awards including from the prestigious “Downbeat Magazine”.
6. Bishop Brewer is a former professional musician who has performed with many well-known jazz greats including the legendary Wynton Marsalis.
7. Clint Eastwood heard Bishop Brewer play in 1994.  As a result Eastwood had Warner Brothers contract with him to play trumpet in the James Rivers Band with whom the Bishop appeared in the Clint Eastwood motion picture “The Bridges of Madison County”.
8. For many of the band members and their families, this is their first trip outside the USA. We want it to be special for them.
9. Fronting the band will be Titus Chapman, a worship leader from Owensboro, Kentucky.  This will be Titus’ third visit to Midland. When Titus appeared at a local church a few years ago, he received an overwhelmingly enthusiastic and emotional response from the audience.
10. This is the first gospel concert at the MCC.  The MCC is anxious for this program to succeed, in part to show our support for our guests from the USA, and in part to provide a foundation for similar musical events at the MCC.

  We hope we’ll see you on Friday the 5^th.  Tickets are $25+HST&Fees in the balcony and $22.50+HST+Fees on the Floor and available at the MCC Box Office or online.  The concert starts at 8:00 pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

 

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