Gospel Fuses with Jazz at Heritage Music Festival

Jun 20, 2018

African American Heritage Music Trail 3330 — Select members of the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir took the lead in several numbers throughout the group’s performance, one of two at Saturday’s African American Heritage Music Trail, “Where Gospel Meets Jazz” program, held at the AME Zion Church in the City of Newburgh and a Ferry Godmother Production.

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – Unity. Heritage. Music. Love.

These are not just words to Aquanetta Wright, but passions that she actively pursues on a daily basis.

For over ten years, the “Ferry Godmother” has been creatively fusing her love for music with her unwavering dedication to and belief in the City of Newburgh as well as its people.

Saturday’s inaugural music venue, African American Heritage Music Trail, “Where Gospel Meets Jazz,” was no exception. Held at the oldest African-American church in the Hudson Valley, The AME Zion Church, founded in 1827, the close to three hour Ferry Godmother Production, drew a large crowd of music lovers. As with each of her multiple music venues that features a distinct genre, Wright was driven by a hearfelt intent with her latest creation.
“The idea was based upon the vast African-American history in the City of Newburgh as well as all of the changes that have happened,” said Wright. “I wanted to see that we never forget, using my avenue-music-as well as its heritage and the part we played in all music, gospel, jazz and blues, and negro spirituals to name a few.”

Aquanetta Wright (“The Ferry Godmother), welcomes in Saturday’s guests at the African American Heritage Music Trail, “Where Gospel Meets Jazz” event, held Saturday at the AME Zion Church in the City of Newburgh.

That pivotal piece in the music world was on full display inside the AME Zion Church, as two highly talented and diverse music performances took the stage. First to dazzle the audience was the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir, an extensice, well-known and received group from Harlem, New York, this contingent was electric, as it delivered powerful vocals-both on an individual and group basis, filled with deep devotion. The group is further known for the popular Church it represents, one that feautures a pastor, who is the first African-American Protestant to preach in St. Patrick’s Cathedral along with the first black pastor to preach in the White House. Next up was Tyrone Birkett, a multi-talented musician, who was assisted by his wife, PaulaBirkett on vocals, as he delivered potent reimaginations and revivals of the Negro spiritual by blending jazz sensibilities with soul and black church music, “freedom music for the 21st century.”

The event had still a further purpose: a fundraiser. It’s monies will be used to support Wrights’ upcoming 2018 Summer Concert Series, including; Jazz, Doowop and the newly added Jewish concerts, all scheduled for August, all free of charge and to be held at 1 Washington Street in the City of Newburgh.

As with Saturday’s concert, the August ones will carry a similar vibe and focus.

“I want things to be remembered that bring us together,” affirmed Wright. “This includes people in the City of Newburgh as well as the population as a whole.”

To learn more about Wright as well as her upcoming events, log on to: www.FerryGodmother.com.