Honoring DMV's Greatest Gospel Musicians (Past and Present) Part 2

The DMV area is so blessed wiith innovators and trendsetters in the area of Gospel Music. In the last blog, I explored the "creme de la creme" of Gospel Musicians in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. I'm back with part 2 because there are some others that I would like to recognize as well. As always I am sure this list is not complete but it's thorough. Let's get started!

1. William Hubbard

    

William Hubbard is the writer of one of the most popular Gospel /Praise and Worship songs of all time, "I Love You Lord Today", which was originally recorded by The Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir and has been and continues to be one of greatest Gospel Musicians the DMV has ever seen and heard. William came from a musical family as his mother was a musician in her own right. He is not only a great Gospel Musician and songwriter, but his expertise also reaches into the realm of musical theater. William Hubbard has never allowed the trendiness of Gospel Music to narrow his eclectic musical genius as he continues to write music that will stand the test of time. Hear his version of the 23rd Psalm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WO8_8fuUSg

2. Warren Jones (Far left in picture)

                                           

  

Musician, singer, songwriter Warren Jones is a a quiet storm in the DMV area. He is nationally known for his producing both Gospel and R&B artists. Warren also penned a very popular worship song recorded by The Potter's House Mass Choir entitled, "Majesty" some years ago. Warren has all of the "intangibles" as they say in sports.  He can do anything as it pertains to music. Despite his demanding career as a producer, he is still a church musician. One of the humbling facts about Warren is that he is not a mega church guy. He works with and ministers in places that most big named musicians wouldn't even consider, and he is to be commended for that.  Warren is also one of the founding members of a very popular Gospel band in the 90's called Gideon Band and a gifted drummer as well..  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5A4d9rMjIU

3. Mike Smith

I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with this monster musician for many years now. Mike Smith is a musical tactician and a Stellar nominated producer. Mike Smith knows how to play and produce music. He was my co-producer and a writer on my last project, and has worked with many DMV artists in helping to make their dreams come true.  A native of State College, Pennsylvania, Mike moved to the DC area not really knowing a lot about the inner workings of how to play Gospel Music, but he had a ear that developed him into the phenomenal musician he is today. He is now the Minister of Music of the Jones Tabernacle Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD, and well respected and noted by many as a great musician and songwriter.  

4. Nate Fields  

You cannot be a musician in the DMV area, and not know who Bassist Nate Fields is with his high pitched voice. Nate plays the bass with reckless precision as he has graced so many recordings in the DMV area with an unmistakable foundation. Nate is somewhat of a pioneer with his uncanny ability to ad lib while still holding down the foundation in a song. Nate is also the Minister of Music of Redeeming Love Christian Center in DC where his father is the Pastor. Here's a clip of Nate playing the bass along with Warren Jones(Piano) and Mike Smith (Organ). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hfQlMXaQpw

5. Jay Williams (J.J.)

J.J is a pioneer and mentor to so many in the DC metropolitan area and abroad. He is one of the greatest drummers in America, and we have been blessed to hear him in the DC area for over 20 years now. Jay Williams is the lead drummer at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Lanham, MD, but his resume far exceeds the limitations of Gospel Music. He's helped so many artists in many other genres of music as well and continues to tour as needed. J.J. is not only a great musician, he is a great person. He is one of the best session drummers I have ever seen.  He's also a family man, and comes from a musical family. His father, the late Judge Williams Sr., was also well known in our area as the Minister of Music at the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church in DC.. See J.J. with Marcus Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEsN4lAVCs0

6. Daryl Hunt

One word.... Musical Genius

I have never worked with Daryl Hunt before, but I have seen and experienced his work. There is really no one like him in our area. He writes, arranges, and plays like tomorrow may not get here. Daryl is very educated and knowledgeable in not only Gospel Music, but he is a wizard in orchestration. He has written and/or arranged songs for R&B artists as well. He is a humble man with a vision to educate young people. Hear his rendition of Richard Smallwood's "Lord's Prayer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nkPI4qwDAQ

7. Justin Savage

 

When you mention the name Justin Savage to anyone who plays Gospel music, their eyes begin to light up because the man is simply amazing. He is a trendsetter and a student of music. Justin has graced many national recordings, and is the Assistant Minister of Music at the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD.  The DC area first heard of Justin through his amazing performance and production of Jonathan Nelson's first project that he did in Baltimore, MD.  It was like a Sunday School lesson, Justin had changed the game. His style was refreshing and many in our area have adopted his way of approaching piano playing. Justin has mentored many musicians, and continues to play and produce for many across the USA.  Justin is a great singer as well. Check out his latest single.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCoP21FGGVE

8. Reger Smith (Ross Smith)

Ross Smith is one of the proteges of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church who branched out to do so much more in the Gospel Music scene in the DMV area. Ross is not only a bassist, but he is a musician's musician. Ross is currently on staff at the First Baptist Church Of Glenarden in Maryland and Capitol Hill SDA Church in DC.  I likened his playing to that of Mark Walker. He has a very clear and concise sound. I have never seen Ross unprepared for an event or service. He is now a staple in the Gospel Community as a reliable bassist and a person of integrity. http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIMlA1tR6CUAbBP7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrc3VyamVwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQD?p=Ross+Smith%2C+bass&vid=4c272f2f7a813cbae8d778cf89a2024e&l=9%3A41&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4649934432633319%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DN2qqSultBfA&tit=CHC+Church+Praise+and+Worship&c=1&sigr=11a5j8veh&age=0&fr=yfp-t-900&vm=r&tt=b

9. Melvin Bryant

When you talk about virtuoso pianists, Melvin Bryant's name has to be on the top of the list. Melvin Bryant, the Assistant Minister of Music at the Alfred Street Baptist Church, in Alexandria, VA, is a well informed, well educated minstrel who can make anything talk on the black and white keys. He is also a recording artist having released an album of his own in 2003. Melvin is also a great teacher and friend to many in the DMV area. Melvin is an active participant and contributor in the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. He lends a hand when he can and is very humble about the gifts that God has blessed him with.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LQP-tbzyBA

10. Stephen Key

Arranger, songwriter, singer, minister of music, and music transcriber Stephen Key leaves no stone unturned in the field of music. He is a well sought after musician for his accuracy in interpreting music as the artist would prefer it. He has played for many on the biggest stages the DMV area has to offer. He has his own group, Steve Key and Company.  Steve Key & Company has performed in several European music festivals including the1998 North Sea Jazz festival at The Hague in Holland, where the group performed before standing room only audiences.  The group remains committed to spreading the gospel in song whenever called upon. Stephen is also well sought after for his music transcription services. His turn around time is unbelievable in getting music back to his clients. He hails from a musical family, is well rooted in the DMV area, and is well deserved to be on this list. http://www.stepkeymusic.com/gpage1.html



Honorable Mentions- 
Mike McCoy- Great gospel musician and teacher.
Carlton Burgess- Great teacher and mentor to many in the DMV area
Jimmy Russell- Who taught and mentored so many in the DC area.
Terrell Graham- He is one of the longest tenured drummers at one church in the DC area . The 1st drummer I ever saw in the DC area using and MPC back in the early 90's.
Michael White- great singer, musician and songwriter
Paul Avery- musician with unlimited musical ideas
Jamal Moore- Who is now probably the most sought after session drummer in the DC area
Bob Terry- Guitarist
Alvin White- Guitarist
Damon Grey- Just a monster musician and a great musical support to many.

"My Top 10 Gospel Music Pioneers"

There are many great artists  past and present in Gospel Music and not just the top 30 that you hear on the radio. However their are only a few who have really shaped our worship experiences and musical styles since the inception of Gospel Music and those are the true pioneers(some of which are living today). Pioneers are people who create new avenues of thought, research and development whereby we all can eventually benefit from. I need to say that there is a difference between great artists/singers and pioneers. I have listed MY Top 10 Gospel Music pioneers of all time along with a brief description. This list is fully debatable and I am sure that many of you could add or take away names based on your preference. This list is not in order of importance.

1. Thomas A Dorsey-  Most of us in Gospel have heard of Thomas A Dorsey, his story, his music and one of the greatest songs ever written "Precious Lord". He pioneered bringing Gospel Music into the church. During the Dorsey era, Gospel Music was considered to Jazzy an inappropriate for worship but Thomas pressed on and now musicians today have the freedoms to express themselves freely in worship through their playing and singing thanks to Thomas Dorsey. He caused the acceptance of the use of  Blues and Jazz chords on Sunday morning. 

His other pioneering contribution is the National Convention Of Gospel Choirs and Choruses which is held every year in August. This is the oldest Gospel Music convention in the world. Its a forum where people can come and learn how to sing, play, teach and learn new music to take back to their respective choirs and congregations.

2. Mahalia Jackson- One of the greatest singers of all time in any genre of music. Mahalia is a pioneer for bringing Gospel Music to the mainstream music community and to the World. She was well respected and cherished like Rock Bands in Europe. Mahalia Jackson is one of  the reasons why Gospel Music and American Gospel Artists are so loved in Europe. She is considered an American Music Icon not just a Gospel Music icon. 

3. James Cleveland- The King of Gospel Music and the founder of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), which is still the largest of its kind. The GMWA has been the starting block for too many artists to name. Without the GMWA, Gospel Music would be far less popular and advanced then it is now. Rev. Cleveland also helped so many artists and choirs across America by giving them a national platform through recordings that he spearheaded. With just his voice on an album, one was ready to go and purchase it.

4.Brother Joe May- Before there was a Bobby Jones there was a Brother Joe May. He hosted a show called TV Gospel Time(look it up on youtube). Joe May was a pioneer for bringing Gospel Music to Television. During his era, anybody who was doing anything in Gospel Music was on the TV Gospel Time. Joe May was also a great singer and artist in his own right.

5. Kenneth Morris-Many people, in this day and time,  haven't heard of Kenneth Morris but Kenneth was the Gospel Music publisher and transcriber for so many artists. His company (Martin and Morris Music Company) co-founded by Sallie Martin is the oldest Gospel Music Publishing Company. He played such a key role in preserving the music that is now golden to us and will live on through sheet music.

6. Richard Smallwood.- Richard Smallwood is and will forever be known as the one who gelled classical music with Gospel. His style of playing, writing and production is unique to him only. He has influenced generations of musicians, choir directors and singers all over the globe with his style of Gospel writing and singing.

7. Thomas Whitfield(The Maestro) - One of the greatest Gospel musicians and producers of our time. Besides his Gospel Music hits that are still being sung in churches today, his style of playing and writing has influenced so many of our mainstream artists such as Donald Lawrence, Fred Hammond and Kurt Carr. His musicianship like Richard Smallwood led musicians to a whole new style of playing Gospel Music especially in the Midwest portion of the United States and He was one of the first artists to display a different style of  worship after the song is over on his albums. A lot of our style of worship can be attributed to Thomas Whitfield approach to Gospel Music and worship.

8. Patrick Henderson- During his tenure as the Minister of Music at the West Angeles COGIC, Patrick Henderson, under the leadership of Bishop Charles Blake, is the one who introduced Praise and Worship music to the black church. It was not readily accepted but eventually it was through the recordings of West Angeles under his leadership that Praise and Worship, in the African American Church, is what it is today.

9. Kirk Franklin- Kirk Franklin is the most successful Gospel Artist of our time and his songs have raised up generations of young people into soldiers for Christ. His ability to draw Gospel and Secular audiences with his music has aided the church in reaching souls for Christ.

10.Edwin and Walter Hawkins- This dynamic duo is directly responsible for breaking Gospel Music into the mainstream with their 1960's hit "Oh Happy Day" which opened the doors for so many other artists like The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Kirk Franklin, William Becton and Yolanda Adams to receive the same airplay opportunities. Edwin and Walter Hawkins are one of the main reasons why we have music to sing on Sunday morning. They have written so many Sunday morning compositions which has added to the Spiritual fabric of so many across the world. "Oh Happy Day' penned by Edwin Hawkins is still thee most popular song in Europe and one of the most popular songs in the world Gospel or Secular. Every year Edwin Hawkins hosts the "Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar" which gives many artists and songwriters opportunities to share their gifts to a mass audience. 

HOLD UP- I GOT ONE MORE

11. Andre Crouch- I could not possible leave Andre Crouch off this list. He has given us so many songs for worship past and present. Songs such as "Jesus is The Answer", 'Take Me Back", "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus", "My Tribute", "Oh It Is Jesus" and lately "Let The Church Say Amen" and so many more. Andre Crouch is one of the few Gospel Artsts who appeared in church Hymn Books in the 80's and 90's.  Andre Crouch was one of the first Gospel Artists to appear on a network television show with appearance on the "Jeffersons". He is a consummate song writer with every lyric based on scripture. He along with his sister Sandra are true pioneers. You could literally sing a Crouch song every service for 6 months and not run out of songs to sing.