JOSHUA NELSON

 

Rock your soul at Nov. 9 gala

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2008-10-01T00:00:00

Acclaimed musical performer Joshua Nelson, who spreads the joy of spiritual music to audiences throughout the world, will headline Opening Night, Nov. 9 at the Governor Hotel.

The gala event will launch the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s annual 2009 campaign with rousing musical entertainment guaranteed to have the audience on its feet clapping in synch to the musical stylings of the artist whom Oprah Winfrey dubbed “The Next Big Thing.”

Nelson, a Grammy-nominated gospel singer whose voice bears a remarkable resemblance to that of the late Mahalia Jackson, has performed both solo and with such musical luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin and Stephanie Mills; Gospel greats Albertina Walker, the Barret Sisters, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Dottie Peoples, Dorothy Norwood, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the Rev. Timothy Wright, Bobby Jones and New Life. He has also appeared with the Klezmatics, and late jazz greats Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie, among others. Throughout his career, he has performed for presidents, prime ministers and huge audiences around the globe.

A Jewish African-American, Nelson draws upon his cultural and religious background and extensive travels through Israel to pioneer a new form of music he has termed Kosher-Gospel Music—Hebrew/Jewish music with a soulful feeling.

Growing up in a black synagogue, Nelson decided to take the Hebrew sounds of soul prominent in many black synagogues to the outside world, blending Jewish liturgical and African American musical styles.

“I want to let people hear it and realize that it is not just good to listen to—it is good for the soul,” Nelson says.

Nelson and the Kosher Gospel Singers will perform at JFGP’s Opening Night benefit, Nov. 9 at the Governor Hotel.

Event co-chairs Barbara Caplan and Deanne Rubinstein and their committee are planning a gala event with cocktails and dinner preceding Nelson’s performance. Tickets will be $90 per person plus a minimum family gift of $1,000 to the Federation’s 2009 campaign, which benefits Jewish humanitarian agencies and social service programs in Portland and around the world.

“Opening Night with Joshua Nelson promises to be a fun, memorable and uplifting evening—a wonderful celebration to honor and pay tribute to all who give gifts to enrich the quality of lives here and abroad,” said Rubinstein.

“Facing these difficult economic times has made us all aware of the need for continued and increased giving to support and maintain our agencies, social welfare projects and necessary support for Israel,” added Caplan.

For more information on Opening Night, call Rachel Halupowski at 503-892-7413.