Mahalia Jackson

REJOICE AND SHOUT is the definitive history of GOSPEL music - some of the most emotional and powerful music in the world, and the foundation of the blues, country and rock n' roll. Packed with evocative photos, rare audio, recordings, stirring film appearances and TV performances, REJOICE AND SHOUT is a jubilant journey through the 200 year musical history of African-American Christianity. Culled from hundreds of hours of music, REJOICE AND SHOUT features interviews and performances from the most celebrated voices in gospel music, including: Smokey Robinson, Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Andrae Crouch, The Blind Boys of Alabama, the Selvey Family, Darrel Petties and many more. REJOICE AND SHOUT traces the evolution of Gospel through its many musical styles - the spirituals and early hymns, the four-part harmony-based quartets, the integration of blues and swing into Gospel, the emergence of Soul, and the blending of Rap and Hip Hop elements. Gospel music walks in step with the story of African-American culture - slavery, hardscrabble rural existence and plantation work, the exodus to major cities, the Depression, World War II, civil rights and empowerment. REJOICE AND SHOUT connects the history of African-American culture with Gospel as it first impacted popular culture at large. Years in the making, REJOICE AND SHOUT captures so much of what is special about this music and African-American Christianity - the sermonizing, the heartfelt testimonials, getting slain in the spirit, the hard hollering, and of course the inspiring music.

In a manner that has been described as 'effortlessly laidback cool', Bianca Rose is stepping into the music world and claiming territory. The singer/songwriter was born and raised in south London, as the oldest in a family of five children. Despite growing up in a tempestuous environment, Bianca's home was always filled with music from Mahalia Jackson, Take Six, Commissioned, The Winans, as well as other gospel greats. As Bianca was approaching the age of 8 years, it was recognised by her grandmother that she had a talent for singing, and thus began performing at events at her grandmother's church. This proved to be the beginnings of an interest in music and performing, which would continue to grow to a point where it could not be ignored. Fast forward to 2005, and after some painful soul searching, Bianca decided that she was going to spend her time getting busy pursuing her passion rather than getting busy being 'sensible'. During this time Bianca began to write songs and as she began to meet producers in the business, it was recognised that Bianca had a natural gift to communicate many ideas and situations through song, with melodies that are both unique and accessible. Bianca's music has caught the attention of producers both in the UK and US and she has recorded and written her music both here and in LA. 2005 saw Bianca become a winner of the annual UK Songwriting Contest for her song entitled 'Sound Of Love', this is a contest open internationally which had over 4,000 entrants in 2005. Bianca is currently performing at gigs in and around London, performing her original songs about life and love, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar as well as collaborating with some of London?s most talented musicians. 'I just write what I feel, in a way that to me, isn't genre-specific. I'm inspired by everything and everyone, so beware!' To say that Bianca's star is rising, would be an ac

No wonder the music is so beautiful. God's on their side. REJOICE AND SHOUT is the definitive history of GOSPEL music - some of the most emotional and powerful music in the world, and the foundation of the blues, country and rock n' roll. Packed with evocative photos, rare audio, recordings, stirring film appearances and TV performances, REJOICE AND SHOUT is a jubilant journey through the 200 year musical history of African-American Christianity. Culled from hundreds of hours of music, REJOICE AND SHOUT features interviews and performances from the most celebrated voices in gospel music, including: Smokey Robinson, Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Andrae Crouch, The Blind Boys of Alabama, the Selvey Family, Darrel Petties and many more. REJOICE AND SHOUT traces the evolution of Gospel through its many musical styles the spirituals and early hymns, the four-part harmony-based quartets, the integration of blues and swing into Gospel, the emergence of Soul, and the blending of Rap and Hip Hop elements. Gospel music walks in step with the story of African-American culture slavery, hardscrabble rural existence and plantation work, the exodus to major cities, the Depression, World War II, civil rights and empowerment. REJOICE AND SHOUT connects the history of African-American culture with Gospel as it first impacted popular culture at large. Years in the making, REJOICE AND SHOUT captures so much of what is special about this music and African-American Christianity the sermonizing, the heartfelt testimonials, getting slain in the spirit, the hard hollering, and of course the inspiring music.

The trailer for Rejoice and Shout which will play at the 2010 San Francisco Film Festival. Rejoice and Shout traces the 200-year history of gospel music through a meticulous combination of archival footage, rare recordings and interviews with the biggest names in the field. There s also, naturally, lots of great music, and it s infectious. Veteran music documentarian Don McGlynn treats these songs with the same reverence the singers do, giving them pride of place. After all, this isn t pop music although gospel s certainly influenced plenty of pop acts it s the music of a people, a religion, a culture. Gospel, which began in the 1800s when plantation owners forced slaves to go to church, continued to develop over the years as it spread throughout the country. Gospel music is what s kept us afloat, says Mavis Staples. These songs are celebratory and necessary, steeped in the African American tradition, and this documentary captures all of that as McGlynn carefully presents the context and stories behind the music and the performers. Aficionados will be familiar with acts like the Golden Gate Quartet, the Utica Quartet, the Dixie Hummingbirds and Sister Rosetta Tharpe although the early footage here has rarely been seen but for those that aren t, this film will be a revelation. The legends are here too: Mahalia Jackson, Smokey Robinson, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Staple Singers. Foot-stomping and hand-clapping likely will start from the opening credits.