Washington, DC First Gospel Festival includes Three MoÂ’ Tenors Musical Director
Historic Lincoln Theater lays claim to hosting first time ever gospel fest, featuring Grammy winners, headline Gospel greats, and noted Christian performers, fusing together unique talents, in effort to bridge the gap, with unity in praise.
WASHINGTON, DC (PRWEB) June 10, 2004
Grammy Award Nominated Daryl Coley is undoubtedly Gospel musicÂ’s most beloved tenor. It was very appropriate then, when Victor Simonson was asked to accompany the gospel powerhouse during the recent first annual Washington, DC Gospel Fest held at the historic Lincoln Theatre on U Street, Washington, DC. Simonson has served as Music Director for the famed Three MoÂ’ Tenors, a trio of African American operatic tenors, for the last several years.
ColeyÂ’s incredible vocal ability is likened to an instrument and SimonsonÂ’s piano virtuosity has been hailed nationwide as having hands capable of playing anything. Simonson played for the gifted tenor during his performance as well as the finale, which also featured John Tillery & Living Sacrifice, Glendale Baptist Church, Power Trio, Metro Praiz, and Duane Starling. The event was hosted by TV personality and WORD network host, Lexi. Other notable performers were Grammy Award winner Regina Belle, accompanied by Rev. Nolan Williams and Three Keys recording artists Alyson Williams.
Although SimonsonÂ’s talent has taken him to classical music venues with sopranos Denyse Graves, Angela Brown, Kishna Davis, and baritone Eric Greene, Broadway stages as the youngest African American Musical Director for a Broadway-bound show, and concert halls as a gifted singer, he is not new to the gospel world. Simonson currently serves as the Director of Organ Music at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, DC under the direction of Director of Music, Nolan Williams, (Editor - African American Baptist Hymnal) and Grammy Winner Richard Smallwood. He has also worked with gospel greats such as Bobby Jones, Brent Jones, William Becton, Shirley Caesar, Grammy nominated Total Praise, Shedrick Mitchell, and actress-singer Toni Seawright, as well as, Howard University Gospel Chorale, Ephesus Ensemble, NULITES Gospel Chorus, and McDonaldÂ’s Gospel Fest winners United Voices of Praise of Brooklyn, NY. He has been seen on the WORD Network, Rosie O'Donnell, ABC Nightline, Today Show, PBS, and NBC, and was the Interim Music Director for the Boys Choir of Harlem.
Sponsored by the FLOW Foundation, the theme for the Gospel Fest, “Bridging the Gap; Unity in Praise”, reflected the overall goal of the first-time event – that was to unify the community and increase educational opportunities for youth. Chaired by Keir D. Gumbs, proceeds from the concert will go towards scholarships.
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