Performer Bios for "Anthem of Praise"
Tramaine Hawkins
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999, Tramaine Hawkins, a gift and voice we came to know and love in the late ‘60s. Literally born in church in the San Francisco Bay Area as her mother, the late LoisDavis, a gospel singer in her own right left a church concert to give birth to Tramaine.
At the ripe age of four Tramaine began singing at the Ephesians Church Of God In Christ in Berkley, CA where her grandfather, the late Bishop E. E. Cleveland was pastor. She has been singing ever since. At ten years of age she recorded her first single, “He’s All Right!” as part of a Gospel group known as the Heavenly Tones. Two years later the group was produced by Gospel legend, the Rev. James Cleveland. At fifteen, the Heavenly Tones accepted an offer to travel with Sly & The Family Stone - all except Tramaine. She chose to continue her education and remain in Gospel, and later to join Andre Crouch and the Disciples! In 1969 upon graduating from Berkeley High School, Tramaine joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers and was a part of the Gospel Music Revolution via the recording of “Oh Happy Day.”
This recording was the first million-selling Gospel single to top the pop charts as well. Additionally, the first “cross over hit” in all cross-sections of the world proving that Gospel has had no boundaries. This also led to Tramaine being able to sing throughout the world with the Hawkins Family.
Tramaine’s lead vocals on such classics as “Changed,” “Going Up Yonder,” “Holy One,” “The Potter’s House” (the list goes on and on) are absolutely incomparable. Enjoying a successful solo career, Tramaine remains a force to reckon with in the field of Gospel Music and Ministry. Known to be a trailblazer, she’s gone against the grain many times for the sake of catapulting Gospel Music to another level. Before the recent changes we’ve experienced in the ‘90s, Ms. Hawkins was there in the ‘80s with her controversial hit (to the churches), “Fall Down” which became a number one hit on the dance charts (another first of a Gospel record). This gave Ms. Hawkins an opportunity to minister in the clubs which was greatly frowned upon. However she stood tall ministering in the highways and hedges as commanded and was responsible for many new souls in to the Kingdom of God.
“I never left Gospel Music and never will. No matter what I sing, or what the accompaniment/beat is, I always sing about the Lord, about what I believe, about what I live for…I know my heart is in the right place. I will always sing and go where He leads me.”
Now residing in Sacramento, CA with husband Tommie E. Richardson, Jr. Tramaine continues to travel the globe participating in conferences, workshops, revivals, and concerts granting as many interviews and appearances along the way as she can. Her last project entitled, “I Never Lost My Praise” was recorded in Glendale, MD at Reid Temple A.M.E. (Pastor Lee P. Washington) with an awesome ensemble of musicians and singers before a who’s who of Gospel music which included the late Queen Of Gospel Albertina Walker and the late Bishop Walter Hawkins among others, produced by the electrifying, prolific writer, singer, producer, Kurt Carr and her son, the multi-talented Walter “Jamie” Hawkins now PASTORING Transforming Love Christian Center in Oakland, CA.
John Holiday
Having performed at world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Philharmonie de Paris, Holiday will begin his 2023-24 season as a featured soloist with the Handel and Haydn Society for Handel’s Messiah in November. His season continues in January with Handel’s Agrippina with the Dutch National Opera in the role of Nerone. In February, he will perform at Washington Adventist University in a recital alongside world-renowned bass Morris Robinson and more, followed by a recital at Pensacola Opera. In March, Holiday will be featured at Jazz at Lincoln Center for an American Songbook recital, and join the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in a program conducted by Jaime Martín. At PACNYC with Trinity Church Wall Street, Holiday will be a featured soloist in the premiere of Luna Pearl Woolf’s Oratorio in April, then return to The Metropolitan Opera to reprise his roles in the restaging of Kevin Puts’s The Hours following last season’s highly-anticipated stage premiere. To finish out the season, Holiday will perform at Bayerische Staatsoper as Prince Go Go in György Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre. Holiday will also appear at Arizona Opera and the University of Michigan for recitals and masterclasses.
John Holiday appears courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera.
Joseph Joubert
Joseph Joubert is a native New Yorker and Grammy nominated musician who’s well known as a pianist, arranger, orchestrator, Broadway conductor, and music director. Mr. Joubert currently is music supervisor, orchestrator and co-arranger for “The Wiz” revival that’s touring and coming to Broadway in April. In addition he’s co- orchestrating Alan Menken’s “Hercules”. His Broadway orchestration credits include: “Caroline or Change”, “The Color Purple”(Drama Desk Nomination), “Disaster”, “Violet”(Drama Desk Nomination) and “Leap of Faith” He was Musical Director for Berry Gordy’s “Motown The Musical “and was assistant conductor for Nice Work If You Can Get It and Billy Elliot. He was guest conductor for Encore’s “Tap Dance Kid”. He has orchestrated and played for “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson as well as conducting the score for Kris Bowers. Mr. Joubert is a sought after music director for Broadway stars and has collaborated with Cynthia Erivo, Deborah Cox, Ken Page, Norm Lewis and recently did a PBS special with Melissa Erico. Mr. Joubert was music supervisor and orchestrator for Classic Stage Company’s “Carmen Jones” starring Anika Noni Rose to rave reviews. As a record producer and arranger/orchestrator he has worked with Diana Ross, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Jennifer Holliday, Dionne Warwick, Luther Vandross, Norm Lewis and Diane Reeves as well as classical singers including Denyce Graves, Esther Hinds, Harolyn Blackwell, Florence Quivar, Simon Estes, and Kathleen Battle. His orchestrations are used by symphonies across the USA including The New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia orchestras. He is a founding member of MUSE - musicians united for social equity He received a grammy nomination for Best Arrangement Accompanying A Vocal for the Broadway Inspirational Voices “Great Joy”.
Mr. Joubert’s extensive recording catalog can be found here.
Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence is a songwriter, producer, composer, music/choir director, and recording artist. He is the guiding force behind such number one hits as Encourage Yourself, Back II Eden and The Blessing of Abraham. Equally at home in both the inspirational and contemporary arenas, the multiple Grammy and Stellar Award winner has collaborated with a diverse roster, including such marquee names as Karen Clark Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, En Vogue and Mary J. Blige.
Karen Clark Sheard
Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winner and multiple Stellar and GMA Dove Award winner Dr. Karen Clark Sheard is a vocalist, songwriter, entrepreneur, wife and mother. She is also a gospel music legend and a part of a musical dynasty. Admired by a wide range of vocalists from various genres, Dr. Sheard is renowned throughout the music industry for her signature, one-of-a-kind multi-octave vocal range and ability. Her musical style with the legendary Clark Sisters and as a solo artist has inspired a host of today’s brightest pop divas, gospel singers and songwriters.
As a voice assigned to this day and age, Dr. Sheard travels the world preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ! With power, grace, and assurance, she delivers a message of hope to the hopeless - a message of peace where there is confusion, a message of love where there is hate, and she introduces Jesus Christ to those that don’t know Him. She takes pride in being a vessel used by God almighty and takes her assignment seriously to ensure that she is a living, breathing example of Psalm 19:14 which reads “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Braxton Shelley
Professor Braxton Shelley is a path-breaking theorist of African American sacred music, and the faculty director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Music and the Black Church at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. He is a scholar, an ordained minister, and an experienced church musician.
A native of North Carolina, Professor Shelley graduated with highest distinction from Duke University where he majored in music and minored in history. He then entered the Ph.D. program in the History and Theory of Music at the University of Chicago. While finishing his Ph.D., he also earned a Master of Divinity degree at the University of Chicago Divinity School, upon which he was ordained in the Missionary Baptist church. In 2017, he was appointed assistant professor of music at Harvard University, where he taught un til he was appointed at Yale..
Professor Shelley is one of the most celebrated musicologists of his generation. He was awarded the Paul A. Pisk Prize in 2016 by the American Musicological Society (AMS) for the best paper by a graduate student. In 2018, he won the Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award from the University of Chicago’s Division of the Humanities. His field-changing article “Analyzing Gospel,” which appeared in the Journal of the AMS, was awarded prizes from all three major American professional societies for music studies: the Einstein Award from the AMS, the Kunst Prize from the Society of Ethnomusicology, and the Adam Krims Award from the Popular Music Interest Group of the Society of Music Theory. Recognition from these three scholarly organizations illustrates the extraordinary interdisciplinary expertise Prof. Shelley brings to our campus.
Professor Shelley’s first book, Healing for the Soul: Richard Smallwood, the Vamp, and the Gospel Imagination, published by Oxford University Press was hailed by Professor Cornel West as “the best book written on Gospel Music” and that the “instant classic forever changes modern scholarship in contemporary music and Black cultural performance.” Professor Guthrie Ramsey of the University of Pennsylvania said, “This profound and illuminating book could only have been written by someone who’s spent years on the cultural frontline: in the pulpit, behind a Hammond B-3 organ, and immersed in the archives of gospel music’s history and lived experiences.”
The Walls Group
From deep in the heart of Texas comes The Walls Group. Darrel, Rhea, Paco and Ahjah are the singing four of eight children born to Roger and Alicia Walls. With musically inclined parents, these kids could not escape the melodies and harmonies that coursed throughout the household and seeped into their souls. “The Walls have an undeniable family bond and sound. It’s so refreshing to see this group of brothers and sisters united in harmony and in spirit. After experiencing The Walls, you won’t be the same. I love seeing family and ministry merge into something powerful. Yes, that’s The Walls” –Jonathan Nelson, Award Winning Gospel Songwriter/Vocalists Darrel, Rhea, Paco and Ahjah are on a fast track to music notoriety, but under the watchful eye and firm hands of parents who have instilled the Word of God into them. Ministry is the heart of The Walls Group and singing is the vessel in which to tell of the good news. Their youthful voices stand toe to toe with some of the leading gospel artist today. Worship, contemporary gospel and a blend of urban pop comes alive with their charming charisma and stage presence. The Walls Group is incredibly talented but remains grounded in family values and dedicated to ministry. They love spending time with their Grandmother and are always listening to music by their favorites Kim Burrell, Kierra Sheard, The Soul Seekers, Mary Mary, and Dorinda Clark- Cole. They are just good people, living a pretty ordinary life, but are aspiring to do extraordinary things.
BeBe Winans
Benjamin, “BeBe” Winans, the six-time Grammy Award winner, is the seventh child and youngest male of the Detroit based first family of gospel music. BeBe is best known as an inspirational, R&B, and popular vocalist, songwriter who along with his musical partner and sister CeCe Winans are the first true Christian crossover artists to hit the mainstream. After 10 years working behind the scenes on projects such as serving as a former Executive Music Producer for the OWN Network’s latest scripted series, “Greenleaf” and host of his own radio show on the Heart & Soul Channel (68) on Sirius/XM Radio Networks on Sunday Mornings (9am ET/7am PT), he moves back into the forefront with plans to release a new album and a new production of his buzzed about play “Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story” in Boston.
The first single from the album, “He Promised Me” featuring Tobbi & Tommi and introducing Kiandra reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel airplay charts in April making it his first solo #1 in his career.
An artist with his message based in the church and its word, BeBe has had an exciting and unique career. Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story, tells the story of BeBe’s life through new music as well as Winan’s family hits. The musical is co-written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown: The Musical), with book, music and lyrics by BeBe Winans and Charles Randolph-Wright. The play has had critically-acclaimed productions at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta in April 2016, Arena Stage in Washington, DC in July 2016 and Los Angeles in August of 2017.
BeBe Winans has won six Grammy Awards (three solo and three with sister CeCe Winans), ten Dove Awards, six Stellar Awards, four NAACP Awards (three with CeCe and one with 3WB with brothers Marvin and Carvin) and three Soul Train Music Awards (two of them with sister CeCe).
Renowned as the breakthrough artist to bridge the language of his roots in the church with a chart-topping, award-winning career spanning audiences universally throughout all genres, Winans is also an author and an actor; with Denzel Washington’s The Manchurian Candidate and Broadway’s The Color Purple opposite Chaka Khan amongst his credits. Teaming with his younger sister, Priscilla “CeCe”, the duo first began crossing lines as “adopted children” of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker on the PTL television show. Their first tour, on which Whitney Houston proclaimed herself their “sister” and sang background for the siblings, set the tone for a very special career.
BeBe & CeCe Winans have taken their message and presented it in a way that has touched and inspired a wide variety of audiences. They are the first brother and sister to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Together, BeBe & CeCe have nine successful gold and platinum recordings and in 1995 they began to explore their solo endeavors. BeBe, with his sisters, brothers, parents and on his own, has achieved an iconic status with the audiences he has moved and encouraged through the Winans’ brand of popular inspirational song.
As a solo artist, BeBe has released seven albums with guest appearances from friends as disparate as Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Anita Baker, best friend Whitney Houston and members of the Winans family. BeBe is known for his jaw dropping performances on some of the most important and star-studded musical specials of the past decades.
“When you’re a teenager you don’t think your life is being recorded for others to learn from it, or to be healed by it, or better yet to find strength through your fears and failures,” shares BeBe Winans. “But now I know these were God’s plans for my life. We are all born with and for a purpose and unfortunately where the journey takes us, we don’t know. What we can know is that when we have arrived at that place, you can be assured that God was right there with every step, and it was all destined to be.” This new musical celebrates that journey.