More acclaim for gospel singers

News release
February 10, 2009

More acclaim for gospel singers

The headline act at the New Zealand’s International Jazz & Blues Festival will have to make room in their studio for yet more music awards.

The Blind Boys of Alabama have this week been honoured with a lifetime achievement award to celebrate their 65 years of music-making. Last night they also received a best album award at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Festival director Jodi Wright was in LA at the ceremony to watch the Iron Men of the music industry collect their Grammy for best Traditional Gospel Album.

This year’s Grammy was the fifth for the acclaimed group of gospel singers who have won four times previously, in consecutive years 2001-2004.

The winning album, "Down in New Orleans” was produced in 2008 and members said they wanted their music to lift up the city after Hurricane Katrina.

First formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, The Blind of Boys of Alabama predate Elvis, Little Richard and Al Green, and yet even in their 70s they are still at the top of the gospel charts.

In the past five years, they have recorded moving renditions of songs by everyone from Tom Waits to Prince side by side with their traditional material, and appeared as guests on record and on stage with an equally diverse array of artists, from Peter Gabriel to Ben Harper.

“These guys are the masters of gospel music and I was so excited to be at the Grammys to watch them get their Lifetime award and best gospel album and even more excited that they’re coming to New Zealand to perform at the festival,’’ says Jodi Wright.

“These guys might be in their 70s but they can still rock a room and move people’s souls with their music. Their concert is going to be fantastic so book your seats now.’’

The Blind Boys of Alabama are due to perform at the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch on Wednesday, April 15.

For ticketing information and for details of the full festival line up in Christchurch go to www.jazzfestivalnz.com.

ENDS

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