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This program takes place at our French Quarter Visitor Center - 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130. Admission is free and open to the public, seating is limited and offered first come, first served basis.In October 2000, two friends, Philip Manuel (a renowned New Orleans jazz vocalist) and Michael Cowan (a Loyola University theologian), had an idea to create a genuinely integrated organization. They wondered … if they brought black and white people together to do something fun, and meaningful, and valuable, might they create an environment where at least this small group of people could begin to get past the personal segregation that exists in life in New Orleans and in America. So they each invited six friends who loved music, some black some white, to join a new gospel choir. And they convinced Al Bemiss, a highly respected New Orleans gospel choirmaster to direct the choir.
And under Bemiss’ instruction, Shades of Praise became a bit of a phenomenon in New Orleans. The choir became known for its joyous, high-energy, contemporary gospel sound. Audiences were visibly moved by the choir members’ obvious closeness … by this glimpse of what New Orleans could be. In addition to concerts at various churches around town, Shades of Praise began singing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. They were featured in the WWL TV promotion, nominated for the Big Easy Award in the Best Gospel Choir Category, and were at the center of a city-wide series of “Care Again” concerts, to facilitate public dialogue on race and promote harmony and diversity.
See our full calendar of events at https://www.nps.gov/jazz/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130-1035, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
