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The Power of Praise, the Power of Pan

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                  Gospel Concert in Pictures

New York - It was the power of Praise, right alongside the Power of Pan at the Premier Baptist Church (PBC) in Brooklyn last Saturday.  Music director and arranger Khuent Rose on steelpans joined with a couple other musicians to give those already comfortably seated in plush red “pews” just a taste of what was to come, setting the tone, even as proceedings were almost an hour behind the 7:00 p.m. scheduled start time. 

A two-tiered stage was set with glistening pans and other conventional instruments, awaiting the moment to spring to life in musical synchronicity; the pan players from Crossfire Steel Orchestra (led by Martin “Dougie” Douglas) were also present - anxious and ready to sound off with works arranged by Rose.  Douglas himself was crisply attired in a white shirt with black pants, the former emblazoned with  black print in full support of the steelpan art form.  Earlier on in the evening, last-minute details were being seen to, with the steel orchestra having a brief sound check, and Khuent Rose in his capacity of music director overseeing particulars, ensuring that all was in place and would go according to plan.

PBC Singers Inga Wynn, Sheila Parson, Mildred Bodden and Norman Ankle officially kicked off the concert with gusto after the opening prayer and welcome.  They lifted the concert goers - who included several familiar congregants - to spiritual heights and led in spontaneous praise and worship with songs of choice Holy Are You Lord, Shout to the Lord, All My Help and I Feel Like Running As PBC music director, Khuent Rose was on keyboards with the house band that accompanied the gospel singers.  Next up was featured artist and soprano soloist Carla Fouché (pictured right), who simply stunned those listening, entreating, captivating and ministering to all who would hear.  The lusty applause that followed Fouché’s performance said it all.

Then it was the turn of Crossfire Steel Orchestra, with Sparkle Demming, Navarre Mason and Elizabeth McPherson on tenors; on double tenors- Liddell Rose, Marlon Andrews; double seconds- Alicia Andrews; guitar- Olivia Graham; cello- Khuent Rose; and on bass- Jelani Williams and Tanika Phillips.  Versatile and blooming all round musician/steel pan player Iman Pascall this time around dutifully took up residence behind the drums to skillfully steer Crossfire through their set.  Rounding off with Aldwyn Barton on congas, the group delivered an array which featured uplifting favorites Stand up, Great is Thy Faithfulness (duet), and Deliverance.  The latter selection was encored, and joyfully ended the first half of the program.

After a short intermission featuring truly delicious Caribbean-flavored morsels prepared by the PBC hospitality committee and Crossfire Steel Orchestra parents, it was time to get back to the main item on the evening’s agenda - Music.   This time the band Evidence (left), took center stage with Don Goodridge, Gerald and Lorenzo on bass, drums and vocals respectively, and Steven Forde and Ezra Hoyte together on guitar.  Little Brandon (pictured lower right), around seven years old, was featured laying down a very good percussion session on drums with a competence that belied his stature and age - even though one could barely see him behind the drum set!  Vocalist Carle Fouché reached out, touched and soothed the souls and spirits of concert goers yet again, before Crossfire returned to close out the program with renditions of Total Praise and Hallelujah.  Iman Pascall resumed her role as steel panist for the last selection, taking her place behind the cellos relinquished by Rose as he in turn directed the band as the group brought the curtains down on the show.  PBC’s senior Pastor Robert Watler was vocal in his appreciation and praise for the talent and work of all who put on, participated in and patronized the show, while inviting everyone to continue in their current spiritual “quest,” and of course to consider PBC for assistance along their journey.

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In Pictures

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