Gospel jazz with Watts Chapel Missionary Church

Many thanks to Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina for inviting me to provide a virtual concert of Christian and gospel jazz (online via Zoom) for their dynamic Sisterhood Weekend! Their theme was “Sisterhood Through the Seasons” with the focus scripture of Ephesians 3:20 (“To Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above what we can ask or think, according to His power which is at work within us).

While their theme examined the importance of sisterhood through changing seasons of life, I was led to focus on the one thing that endures and remains constant through ALL seasons of life — Jesus Christ’s love for us! I wove inspirational remarks into each song in the 30-minute set, which included an early preview of my single “Elevation” (featuring Daniel Weatherspoon ), another preview of an unreleased song, plus Koryn Hawthorne’s “Won’t He Do It” and Kirk Franklin’s “Love Theory.” My favorite moment of the set was the Spirit-filled praise and worship that was ushered in while I ministered the 90’s classic “More than Anything” (Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise).

After nearly two years of doing virtual musical performance and/or ministry through Zoom, online audiences really feel as if they’re in-person. And I get just as excited for virtual performances as I do for in-person ones. That said, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fellowship and share in song with the Watts Chapel congregation in-person at some point!

-Tony