The genre of Gospel Jazz is growing by leaps and bounds. The unique merging of two highly expressive and improvisational African American forms of music has spawned a variety of gifted artists such as Angella Christie, Ben Tankard and Kirk Whalum. It’s with these artists and this music in mind that Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Terrence Richburg, launched Jazz Gospel Central. Unveiled in October 2008, Jazz Gospel Central is dedicated to showcasing Gospel Jazz, the artists who play it and devout Christians who play Jazz music. With features such as “What Is Gospel Jazz?”, “Great Gospel Jazz Pioneers,” “Improv Clinic,” “Key Ingredients,” “New Kids On The Block”, “Now In Session” and “Jazzspirations”, fans and musicians have the opportunity to learn and be inspired by others through Jazz Gospel Central’s bi-monthly e-zine and accompanying website, JazzGospelCentral.com.
In addition to profiling the more popular names in Gospel Jazz, Jazz Gospel Central (JGC) also highlights up-and-coming artists on the cutting edge of the burgeoning musical style like songstress Barbara King, drummer Jay Williams and unique groups like Duke Guillaume And The Metropolitan Gospel Big Band. JGC has also tapped those well-known in the industry as writers such as GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Award winning producer Steven Ford and mega-talented artist and songwriter John Stoddart. “Key Ingredients” takes a look at improvisational keyboard techniques and what works for noted artists in performance or recording situations. A new feature “Stay Tuned” focuses on the media impact of the genre while “Frets Ahead” provides tips to those who have an affinity for the bass. “Now In Session” will be of interest to those who are intimately involved with the recording process while “The JGC Calendar” includes upcoming events.
Already garnering unprecedented support and rave reviews, Jazz Gospel Central is quickly becoming the premier place on the web for “all things Gospel Jazz.” Jawn Murray of the Tom Joyner Morning Show & AOL Black Voices says, “A necessary site for the often overlooked division of Christian Music.” Bil Carpenter, Former Writer for People Magazine and The Washington Post says, “Finally, Gospel Jazz gets some love with its own website devoted to its art and its artists.”
A well-known artist in his own right, Richburg has extensive experience and heritage in both Gospel and Jazz. Son of Atlantic recording artists and Gospel pioneers, The Richburg Singers, and the nephew of the late Jazz legend Ronnie Wells, Terrence is a composer, arranger, instrumentalist and producer who has worked with artists in the secular and the sacred realm of music including Richard Smallwood & Vision, Maurette Brown Clark, Bobby Lyle, Nick Colionne, Alyson Williams, Yolanda Adams, Aretha Franklin, The Winans, Jennifer Holliday, Tramaine Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, and many others. Richburg says, “Jazz Gospel Central or JGC is about creating and providing an online venue, a meeting place and an atmosphere where there is a true voice and advocate for those gifted artists who are spiritually based and expressive of their musical gift—a gift which tends to be a little different from what is currently in the popular mainstream. Jazz Gospel Central or JGC is for those who can appreciate true music born out of the heart of musicians and singers seeking to express real musicianship through the artistic tastes of Jazz and Gospel flavors.” Jazz Gospel Central is “where the love of true music lives.” To view the most recent edition of Jazz Gospel Central, go to http://gator264.hostgator.com/~andrearw/eBlast/JGC-May/. For more information on Jazz Gospel Central or to sign up for the newsletter, go to www.JazzGospelCentral.com or e-mail (info@jazzgospelcentral.com) or contact JGC by phone (202.210.0314).
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