Under the musical direction of the multi-faceted producer, composer, and director Ray Chew, the multiple Grammy Award–winning McClurkin is joined by Burrell—an exuberant vocalist who has performed with stars from the worlds of gospel, jazz, and R&B—to lead an all-star ensemble in a concert where the audience joins voices with the artists on stage as part of what McClurkin calls a “landmark sing-along concert.”
Tickets, priced at $32–$62 are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.
McClurkin and Burrell’s humble beginnings before rising to world renowned status in the music industry keeps them firmly planted as their talents continue to make room for them on mainstream platforms. The two artists are familiar faces to the award-winning gospel competition show Sunday Best that recently wrapped its 8th Season on the BET Networks.
McClurkin earned a trophy case full of Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Awards plus other honors including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Gospel Artist. In 2001, He graduated to establishing Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York, all the while continuing to release new recordings, including Again (2003) and the double-CD Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs (2005)—which each won a coveted Grammy Award—followed by We All Are One / Live in Detroit (2008) and Duets(2011), which featured collaborations with Tramaine Hawkins, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Preashea Hilliard, Tye Tribbett, Erica and Tina Campbell, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, John P. Kee, and Justin Savage.
When asked what appeals to him about the sing-a-long for the gospel concert McClurkin replied, “The sing-along format gives us the opportunity to interact with the audience – for them to sing along with us – and for us to enjoy the concert as “one” instead of it being just the artist singing to a few thousand. The thousands will sing together as one!”
Since her first solo project, 1997’s Try Me Again, Burrell has shared the stage with great gospel artists such as Pastor Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark-Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, and Pastor Marvin Winans, just to name a few. She has also worked with secular artists such as Missy Elliot, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Whitney Houston, Harry Connick Jr., and many more.
Burrell overwhelmed the music industry on Tommy Boy Gospel with her hit projects Everlasting Life (1998) and Kim Burrell Live (2001), featuring hits like “I Keep Holding On,” “I Come To You More Than I Give,” “Anything,” “Victory,” and “I’ll Be There.” Her project, The Love Album (2011), won a Dove Award, two Stellar Awards, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Burrell just released the highly anticipated new CD From a Different Place, which will enamor gospel fans and win many fans beyond the confines of gospel music. Her new album-which is her sixth solo release, demonstrates exactly why she has influenced legions of singers and garnered devoted fans all around the world. Burrell’s new single “Thank You Jesus (That’s What He’s Done)” is currently Top 30 on the Gospel chart and steadily rising.
Music Director Ray Chew served as music director for Fox’s American Idol, where he inspired some of the best talent in the competition’s history and produced over 300 contestant iTunes downloads. He has also served as music director for it’s Showtime at the Apollo, BET’s Sunday Best. BET Honors, Celebration of Gospel, and the BET Awards.
Ray’s music direction is sought after for prestigious music specials and historic landmark events, including the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, the 2015 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, The President’s Inaugural Neighborhood Ball and the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards. In 2014, with the blessings of Milton DeLugg—who had previously held the position for 50 years—Ray was handed the baton to musically direct NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, an 88-year tradition.
From the Hollywood Bowl in L.A. to the Nobel Peace Prize broadcast in Norway, Ray’s in demand sound can be found on various television and film scores. In 2010 at Carnegie Hall, he curated A Night of Inspiration, a sold-out, all-star concert at the famed venue, where he conducted a 63-piece orchestra joined by a 125 voice mass choir and notable artists from the gospel and secular communities.
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