In collaboration with a number of artists and key supporting organisations Renewal Choir delivered a magnificent production of, “Handel’s Messiah – Soulful Celebration in Bristol”….a musical feast of Movement, Music and magnetism. The event was a highly dynamic and inspired repertoir containing contributions from choirs, dancers, musicians and poets.

 

About the Production

 Handel’s Messiah, A Soulful Celebration is an African-American arrangement of the oratorios that make up Handel’s Messiah.  The arrangement consists of a blend of elements of jazz, soul, reggae and hip hop with the traditional classical genre. The project first appeared in the year 1993 on CD and won a Grammy award in the category ”Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album“.

 The Soulful Celebration shows that a good melody can survive for centuries.  This modern adaptation of The Messiah, produced by Quincy Jones, Mervyn Warren and Michael O. Jackson, builds on the melodies of Handel to form an excellent arrangement. The lyrics of Charles Jennens, arranged from various Bible verses, are solemn and weighty.  They are what differentiate Gospel music from popular music. Our Soulful Celebration paints a picture of a range of styles covered within black music and how they developed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Line Up

 

Event Host Renewal Choir

Geraldine and Cary Luce

Maxine Barclay &  Joanne Howell

UWE Gospel Choir

Ikay Agu

Floss Dance Group

St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School Gospel Choir

Miles Chambers

Janine Morris

Mark Goodway

The designated charity for the event was the Inns Court Centre in Knowle West, Bristol where a total of £1,748 was raised by the choir to contribute to the Centre’s efforts to “rise from the ashes” following a devastating cut to funding which has placed this vital community resource under serious threat of closure. Mark Goodway who is assisting the Centre with fund raising efforts and the development of a sustainability strategy gave a simple yet powerful appeal for support on the night.

Pictures taken by Photographer Wayne Hutchinson

 

Musicians

Phil Barclay (Music Director)  – Keys

Leeroy Adams – Keys

Charlie Campbell – Guitar

Rich Powell – Drums

Eddie Campbell – Bass

Steve Powell – Keys

Lester Freckleton – Guitar

Nigel Ipinson – Flemming

Cary Luce – Keys

Nathan, John, Phil and Mark- Brass