February 2011

Album Review: Syreeta Thompson | In His Presence
By Peggy Oliver

In
many gospel music circles, she is known as the Trumpet Lady. But there
is so much more to this gifted musician and teacher. Syreeta Thompson
has ministered alongside Pastor Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship
Choir and played with several jazz icons like Tito Puente and Wynton
Marsalis, one of her treasured mentors. And she has highly invested many
years since the age of twelve to perfect her musical discipline and
teach others along the way. After completing a Bachelor’s at Rutgers
University, Syreeta then furthered her talents with a Masters in jazz
and film scoring at New York University. Now an educator in her own
right, the Chicago native is presently the Department Chair at the
Cicely Tyson School for Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey, and has
served on the Gospel Music Workshop America Workshop (GMWA) faculty. She
is also on a growing list of highly respected and innovative female
jazz figures including Esperanza Spaulding and Regina Carter. While
growing up playing in church, Syreeta learned about how jazz and gospel
were fueled by musical passion, despite their structural differences.
But despite her consummate musicianship and her role as an educator,
Syreeta never has forsaken her faith in the process. Gabriel’s Praise
was a more than appropriate title for her 2004 debut release. This
praise and worship extravaganza from jazz to hip-hop showcased the
trumpeter/singer/songwriter’s extensive musicality and her pure joy in
honoring Jesus Christ with her voice. Several years have passed for this
current New York resident since Gabriel’s Praise but the Trumpet Lady returns back to her hometown for a live setting at Destiny Worship Center for In His Presence. To continue, please click “MORE”!

MichauX – What’s Going On…Still
By Peggy Oliver

MichauX is
a thinking man’s musician; whether writing about his strong faith in
God or sharing his convictions about what is happening in the world
around us. And the singer/songwriter’s constant involvement in the
community, especially interacting with at risk youth and ex-offenders,
would justify those concerns in his lyrics. Just MichauX
was his introduction as a soul independent artist to be on the look out
for. The media raved about this 2004 project on his MX Music moniker, a
contemporary gospel tour-de-force drenched in old-fashioned soul funk,
jazz and hip-hop. The Austin, Texas resident’s sweet tenor draws
memories of The Isley Brothers and Marvin (Gaye) that has reeled in an
international listening audience from the Netherlands to the U.K. and
has been showcased on throughout his home state and on the Showtime at
the Apollo stage. To continue, Please click “MORE”!