BTMOG’s “Real Gospel in Music According to Jazz”

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

BEACON– The air in Beacon was electric on Friday, September 19th, as music lovers, church folk, jazz heads, and gospel fans filled the Towne Crier Café for the highly anticipated debut concert of “Real Gospel in Music According to Jazz”—the new album from Boys to Men of God (BTMOG) & Associates. It was a night of celebration, legacy, laughter, and genre-defying music that had every soul in the room on fire.

Released the same day across all major streaming platforms—including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora, iTunes, and Yandex Music—the album is a bold and brilliant offering from Real Gospel in Music Productions LLC, the independent label founded by Executive Producer Arnrai Banks and his son, Producer Jethro Banks.

For 25-year-old Jethro Banks, the night was a full-circle moment. Nearly a decade ago, he was just a teenager leading his band JB & the Experience in a small room at the Towne Crier. On Friday, he returned not only as a drummer and keyboardist but as the producer of a nationally recognized gospel jazz project, backed by an all-star cast of musicians.
“[Real Gospel in Music Productions was] originally established in July of 2021. I’m glad that my father and I started so we can present the music that we make, but also for other gospel ministers in the surrounding cities, to work with us as a collaborator. We have Tiff coming up. We have Isaiah as well, working on their music and trying to finish them up too. So, they’re all part of the collective too. We’re looking for any other praise ministers, whatever you may be, minstrels, to try to get whatever gospel of Christ, whatever song there’s placed in their heart, to get it out,” said Jethro who also shared that the live recording of the release concert is expected to air in a few weeks on Facebook and YouTube.

The concert drew a huge crowd and featured a stunning roster of musical heavyweights. Darren Rahn, the Grammy-nominated, Billboard-topping saxophonist, flew in from Colorado to support the project and electrified the room with his signature smooth yet fiery saxophone tone.

“It was a really, really great night here in Beacon. [I am] super proud of all the musicians. Everyone came together for a really, really great night celebrating the release of BTMOG & Associates’ new album. So, [I am] super glad to be here,” said Rahn who will be going on tour with Brian Culbertson in a few weeks.

Rahn’s sax soared in duets with fellow jazz standout Timothy Richardson, better known as Saxy Ric, delivering a spine-tingling rendition of “I’m Saved.” The event brought a cascade of musical royalty to the Towne Crier stage, including Bryan Lammers on keyboards, bassist Kendall Buchanan, percussionist Jeff Haynes, guitarist James Farley, keyboardist Arnrai Banks, and of course Jethro Banks- each bringing world-class musicianship and deep heart to the stage. Singer Michael Faison, better known as Bosco, and Gianna “Gigi” Morales, powerhouse vocalist for Bosco & the Storm, carried the weight of the evening’s most emotional numbers.

Though jazz icon Bob Baldwin is featured on the album, he was unable to attend the concert in person. Still, his imprint on the project—particularly on the track “God’s Amazing Grace”—was unmistakable.

Hosting the event was Dr. Ms. Jones, “The Beauty of Comedy,” who brought the laughter with her signature gospel-flavored humor. Known for appearances on BET’s Coming to the Stage and Sunday Best, she had the audience howling and hollering all night.

But the moment that sealed the night came during the finale, when Bosco and Morales closed with the foot-stomping, spirit-lifting anthem “Don’t Let the Devil Have a Tussle.” The crowd leapt to its feet, clapping, dancing, and singing along in what felt more like a revival than a concert.

“That’s what it’s all about. Getting people to have fun and praising the Lord at the same time,” said Bosco who was thrilled to return to gospel music since singing with his family gospel group, the Stars of Bethlehem, and because Jethro is the drummer in his band. “It was great [to be a part of Jethro’s first gospel jazz album]. He called me and asked me to sing on ‘Don’t Let the Devil Have a Tussle’ and I went in and it was fun. I had a good time doing it. He asked me if I wanted to do the concert, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah!’”

With the album now available on every major digital platform, buzz is quickly building around “Real Gospel in Music According to Jazz.” Songs like “Yeshua So Wonderful,” “God’s Blessings,” and “Dios De Tres” are drawing early fan favorites, poising BTMOG & Associates as a leading voice in a genre that’s long overdue for a revival.

“This is more, I say, contemporary style. I feel like anybody can enjoy it and listen to it. It has those movement elements where the beats aren’t always consistent, they’re kind of flowing, they’re kind of driving. I just love that component of how the music ties together with the gospel side. It’s just awesome to be able to blend those elements,” said Jethro who elaborated on why he decided to add singing. “It’s just the way that my God was moving upon my father’s heart… It was really his idea to involve Bosco and Gigi to add the vocals on it. It was just a nice little blend to add a character to be like, ‘Okay, we switchin’ it up.’ It’s not just all instrumentation. We also have vocals.”

Ms. Jones