BRIANNA FUND DELIVERS

By Jo Sallins

In case you’re not familiar with The Brianna Fund, it is an organization that assists children with physical disabilities by eliminating barriers and solving mobility issues so they can live a full life and participate in all aspects of community life. On Saturday, January 19, 2008, their committee organized and presented the 10th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gospel Concert at the beautiful Evangelical Covenant Church in Springfield, MA.

The live music was tight, funky and well arranged thanks to some really good musicians and musical arranger, Marcus Pitts. St. John’s Congregational Church’s Praise and Worship Team opened the concert with two selections complete with powerful background vocals and a really nice unison phrase in the second selection that repeated several times allowing for some soulful improv by Omar Ortiz.

Benjamin Smith, director of D.R.E.A.M. Studios, introduced his dancers to a very polite applause. With great recorded music, solid performances and confident faces, they earned that standing ovation! A.J. Bayman, The Soft Spoken Prophet, performed two originals with his usual smooth vocal and effective stage delivery backed up by a rapper and backup singers so tight I thought they were singing against a track, another standing “O.” Helen Caulton-Harris performed spoken word. She was good! Her readings were presented under a theme of three words, “Gifts, Hopes and Dreams.” The performance was fun, uplifting, thought provoking and she got the crowd involved, another standing “O”.

Up next was Jevon Modeste (vocal) and Gina Emmanuel (dance). Jevon gave a warning that his vocals may not be in top condition. Well, in my opinion, he sounded good and other than abruptly walking off stage when problems occurred with the track at the end of the song, his performance was solid. Gina, obviously the more seasoned of the two, danced with clear purpose, intensity, style and a lot of grace. J.P. Morgan, Jr. was the high point of the evening. There’s not enough space to say what I feel about this mans’ vocal ability. From Memphis, TN, comedian Eugene Rosebud Johnson was clearly the low point of the evening. That’s all I should say about his performance. Celebration through Mime, the recorded track, was stronger than the performance; however, I applaud the effort by these brave performers.

The Western Mass. Chapter Gospel Music Workshop came to the stage and as long as their first song lasted, I was completely blown away, perfect performance by the lead vocalist and choir. Second song fell way short. It was a great night. Kudos to all the staff behind the scenes.

Just a short note on J.P. Morgan Jr.’s “in His own Time” CD. After the Brianna Fund Concert I went home and played from beginning to end, “in His own Time.” This is the work of a serious professional from the packaging, song sequencing, lyrical content, vocal and musical performances, writing and arranging. H. Doobie Powell and J.P. Morgan Jr. are indeed a great compliment to each other. Get this CD!!! Contact: 413-732-0883 J.P. Morgan Jr. TV.

Until next time “Inhale music, exhale life, it is essential.”