http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200809/1220...

News release about the upcoming 2008 DC Gospel Jazz Conference

OK, so this doesn't have anything to do with Gospel Jazz or ministry, but I have to get it off my chest. This whole thing about referring to Sen. Barack Obama as "arrogant". I'm always a little taken aback when I hear the "A-word" used to describe this brother, and I wonder what exactly is so arrogant about him?

Is it his age? Well he is young for a president, but he's not the youngest. Clinton, Kennedy and T. Roosevelt were younger . Could it be that he's articulate? Well I kinda thought that was a prerequisite for the job (Current president notwithstanding). Is he known to be mean spirited? Ill tempered? Flashy? No, no and no. So what's the deal?

The deal is this: "arrogant" is just the 21st century version of "uppity". For anyone who doesn't know, uppity was a word frequently used in the past for Blacks who didn't "know their place". You didn't want to be known as uppity back in the day, because it could get you a date with a tree and a rope.

Those who use the A-word long for the good old days, when Jesse Jackson (got mad love for ya Rev., but you hater 1 right now) would run and get the Coloreds all riled up, deliver a rousing speech at the convention and then could be thrown back into his box for another four years. Now here comes this Barak Obama (did we mention his middle name was Hussein?), with a real shot of getting into the "White House". Who does this N(egro) think he is?

This is the mentality that the A-word represents. And as this latest chapter in the racial psychodrama that is America plays itself out, the A-word is going to sound more like the N-word all the time.

This past weekend I went down to North Carolina to play a wedding and open for legendary gospel quartet The Sensational Nightingales in Rocky Mount. I also ministered at all three Sunday services at Mt. Peace Baptist Church in Raleigh.  I ate some slammin Carolina BBQ (turkey, of course), I even ran into Judge Hatchett in my hotel. The folks in NC showed much love, and I look forward to coming back soon.Big up to Sis. Tanya Weaver, Pastor Vince Terry and Pastor Thomas Walker for the invitations and hospitality.

On Saturday July 26th I was a featured artist at the first annual "Jazz in the Park", sponsored by St. Mark's United Methodist of Laurel, MD. Even though there were a few kinks in the program, which is to be expected for a first effort, the folks at St. Mark's pulled together a nice community event, one that will grow in the coming years. I met some great artists, and reconnected with an old friend. I'm looking forward to working with them in the future. Props to my barber Floyd Hughes, organizer of the event, Pastor Robbie and the St. Mark's family.

Today I served at Metropolitan Baptist of Washington DC, my home church, as I do every fourth Sunday for Communion. Pianist Jason Powell provided some really nice accompanyment on "I Surrender All". Pastor Hicks preached a powerful sermon taken from Genesis Ch. 26 at 11am. The concept of standing pat in the midst of a famine really resonated with me because like a lot of folks these days, the tenuous economy has seriously impacted our finances. There's a real word of hope in that passage, because God Instructed Issac not to run for greener pastures, and God blessed Issac right where he was, in his land of famine. In times like these, we as belivers really need to stand on the promises of God's Word. That's the reason God allows hard times to come in the first place.

I turned to a youtube video of Walter Hawkins singing his classic, "Don't Wait til the Battle's Over". I had the privelege of doing that song with him years ago. I'm gonna shout now and I'm claiming victory over financial shortfalls, illness, depression, frustration, lust of the eye and the other schemes the Enemy has devised to take my eyes off the prize. As the song says, [I] know in the end, [I'm] gonna win! As always, keep me in your prayers.

Sunday May 4 was an in-store appearance at Potomac Adventist Book Center in Silver Spring MD. The weather was beautiful and people were out and about, so foot traffic was relatively light. Even so, we had good response to the live performance with background tracks. The next day the music buyer told me that we had the best day ever for a new artist on their first appearance! The children in the store were especially drawn to the music, as they always are. One little boy who was 18 months old wouldn't let his father leave until he picked up a CD. Thanks to Mary-Floride, Trudy, Paul and the staff of Potomac Adventist for their help in making this a succesful outing.    

Had my first engagement under my own name in New York last Sunday. I played at Big Apple Jazz/EZ’s Woodshed in Harlem in celebration of the dedication of my cousin’s first child. Things started off rather omninously. On Saturday as I was driving up I-95 I got a call from my cousin. The Noon rehearsal I had left home at 7:30am to make was off. OK. I was originally supposed to play at the church service before the event at Big Apple Jazz. That was off too.

I wasn’t sure what I was in for when I arrived at the venue. I gave one of my charts to the piano player and he said he couldn’t read it. Needed stronger glasses. So we wound up playing standards, some of which they knew better than others. Dave Gibson the drummer was on his game though and really held things together.

Even though we didn’t play any of my arrangements, everyone enjoyed the afternoon and God gets the glory after all! I’m looking forward to my next date in New York.

Meditations got another play on WHUR on Sunday. Much love to Lorna Newton, Traci LaTrelle, Bernadette Ranger, Dr. Sis and everyone who made a request.

"Easter" happens to fall on fourth Sunday this year, which is my usual day to minister at Metropolitan. Both services were truly filled with the spirit of the season. I ministered "Were You There" for 7:45 and 11:00. Rev. Nolan Williams accompanied again. Great playing. At 11 Richard Smallwood struck up "It Will Never Loose its Power". We wound playing it together and the spirit of The Most High was in the house!

To cap the day off, I was listening to WHUR 96.3 FM when the title track from the CD came on! Many thanks to all of you who called in and requested. Keep those phones ringin!

There was a lot going on this weekend. On Friday I was in studio at Heaven 1580AM- a gospel station in the DC metro. My friend trumpeter Ralph Moore invited me to come hang out and share with the audience. The host was comedian Mike Washington of "God Ain't no Joke" fame. Brother's a nut!! It happened to be his birthday so the studio was packed. Ralph and I struck up an impromptu rendition of Smokie Norful's "I Need You Now". Saxophonist Merlon Devine also dropped by. Praying this appearance will yield some more airplay. Much love to Ralph, Mike and Ejai.

On Saturday I provided music for the New Macedonia Baptist Church of Washington DC's 50th Anniversary Gala. I played a marathon set (1 1/2 hrs straight acapella, phew!) for the pre dinner reception and a set of music for the dinner hour. Pianist David Nelson was in the house and provided some very nice accompaniment. I was surprised to see that the keynote speaker was none other than my pastor, Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr! Ms. deRaye Walker and the folks at New Macedonia put on a very classy and well organized affair.

On Sunday I did my usual second Sunday thing at Sankofa International Baptist Church in DC. The preacher of the hour was Rev. David Arnett, whom I met during my Union Temple days. Sitting in was trumpeter Lorne Lee, a friend of Minister of Music Taylor Pace and Director of Bands at Savannah State University in Georgia. We struck up a few chourses of "Amazing Grace" and the Spririt moved! It's truly a blessing to experience what God is doing with and through this ministry. Thanks to all who have called me to come serve. It's an honor and a pleasure.

I served at my home church, Metropolitan Baptist of DC, as I do every fourth Sunday. Both services were truly a blessing. I ministered "I knew it was the Blood" for communion. Minister of Music Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr. provided the accompaniment. I bless God for the opportunity to work with such a skilled and anionted musician. It's great engaging Nolan in a musical dialog as we do. Greater still to be doing it to the glory of the Most High, and helping to usher His people to higher levels in Christ.

While I'm sweatin my man Nolan, let me also say that with all the egomaniacs in music ministry, it's also a blessing to be serving with someone who understands that ministry is first about service. Nolan always gives me space to do what I do, and always makes his co-laborers in the Metropolitan Music Ministry feel valued respected and appreciated.

Nolan's ministerial thrust is a direct reflection of our pastor, Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. Dr. Hicks is an eminent preacher and theologian. But the true genius of his ministry is that in the midst of all his accolades and honors, he maintains a personal touch with his congregation that's a rarity these days. That's why I call him, "A pastor's pastor". I'm just glad you see fit to allow me to come and blow my horn, and be a part of what's going on.

So we come to the end of another year. This has been a truly eventful one for me. The CD release has definitely been the highlight. Another highlight has been the growing network of supporters and like-minded artists I'm meeting on myspace.

Well, the inital euphoria has worn off, and the real work has begun. I've managed to get my CD into several local stores which will require some support in the form of live appearances, etc. to boost the sales. I've met with several radio programmers who have given me positive feedback, but no terrestrial airplay as of yet. Much love to all the Internet programmers who have played cuts. The broadcast airwaves are a tough nut to crack, especially when you're doing all the promotion yourself, sans promoters.

I had a downturn in the wake of a job loss early in November. I'm sure many of you relate to the struggle of being an artist, answering a calling...and keeping the bills paid. I'm feeling better and God's spirit continues to gird me up.

I take a theme for every new year. 2K8's theme is, "Peace, Power and Prosperity". Prosperity does not necessarily refer to the material kind. A prosperous spirit is what we're really talkin here.  Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged me in any way. I pray you have a year filled with the "3P's".