CLC to host annual Salute to Gospel Music program
The College of Lake County’s 29th annual Salute to Gospel Music program on Saturday, March 2, will feature the Grammy Award winning groups Sounds of Blackness and Reverend Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago.
This program begins at 7 p.m. at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. The program will be a spirited musical tribute to the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Sounds of Blackness is a Grammy Award-winning group directed by Gary Hines since 1971. It has consistently performed and proclaimed the music, culture and history of African-Americans to audiences all over the world.
From jazz and blues to rock ’n’ roll, R&B, gospel, spirituals, hip-hop, reggae and soul, this group colors each and every “sound of blackness” with uplifting messages of hope, unity, love and peace for all humankind and then works passionately to achieve it.
In 2012, the “The Sound of Blackness” CD won a 2012 NAACP Image Award for Best World Music Recording. The group has also won the Soul Train Award, International Time For Peace Award, seven Stellar Awards and the International Dance Music Awards.
It also was nominated for an Emmy Award and five NAACP Image Awards. The group’s new self-titled CD, “The Sounds of Blackness,” and first single, “Fly Again,” are inspiring the world and a new generation.
Jenkins, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, wrote the No. 1 praise and worship anthem “Awesome,” which was No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart for more than 16 weeks.
The single entered at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart, entered at No. 1 as the Best Selling Christian/Gospel Song on Amazon and is the third best-selling digital gospel song of 2012.
In October 2012, Jenkins and Fellowship of Chicago received eight Stellar Gospel Music Award nominations for “The Best of Both Worlds” CD. The nominations include artist of the year, song of the year (awarded to songwriter), new artist of the year, CD of the year, choir of the year, traditional CD of the year, traditional choir of the year and recorded music package of the year.
The CLC Gospel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Charles Clency, will open the program. The 2013 Harambee Award of Excellence will be presented to the Reverend Henry Lee Jordan, Jr., pastor of Greater Faith Church Baptist, Waukegan.
Fundraising opportunities for local groups will be offered. For groups of 30 or more, tickets may be purchased at $4 off the general admission price of $19, and the group discount includes a private, pre-show reception.
Each group or organization is entitled to reassign the price of tickets and keep all proceeds raised above the discounted price. For groups of 20 or more, tickets may be purchased at $3 off the general admission price of $19. For information on group tickets and discounts, call (847) 543-2112.
Regular priced tickets are $19 for general public; $17 for CLC students, staff, alumni, seniors, and children 12 and younger. Tickets are on sale at the CLC Lakeshore Campus; by phone at the James Lumber Center Box Office, (847) 543-2300; or at www.geneseetheatre.com.