New Orleans' ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008: Preservation Hall's Gospel Revival

Below is the official Press Release for "The Preservation Hall Gospel Revival" at the Essence Music Festival here in New Orleans(this coming weekend). The Sunday, July 6th performance will feature The Preservation Hall Jazz Band with special guest vocalist Big Al Carson, Joe Lastie Jr. and The Lastie Family Gospel, and Leo Jackson with the Melody Clouds Quartet.

"PRESS RELEASE
- JUNE 16, 2008 -

PRESERVATION HALL CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF NEW ORLEANS GOSPEL AT ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sunday night’s Gospel Revival explores the roots of New Orleans Gospel!

(June 16, 2008, New Orleans, LA)-- Preservation Hall is excited to announce its first Gospel Revival at the 2008 Essence Music Festival on Sunday July 6, at 7:30 pm. An exploration of New Orleans illustrious Gospel tradition, Preservation Hall’s Gospel Revival features three distinct musical groups including Joe Lastie Jr. and the Lastie Family Gospel with Reverend Leon Vaughan, Leo Jackson and The Melody Clouds Quartet and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with special guest vocalist Big Al Carson. Tickets are available by visiting TICKETMASTER.com or by calling 800 488-5252 or by visiting any ticketmaster outlet. For a complete Essence Music Schedule, visit www.essence.com.

The Lastie Family and its 15-person Gospel choir deliver a soul-stirring gospel experience. As one of New Orleans famed musical families, The Lastie’s roots in the church date back several generations to Deacon Frank Lastie. With the devastated 9th ward neighborhood as their home base, the Lastie family has produced numerous noteworthy musicians including legendary vocalist Jessie Hill, drummer Herlin Riley and Preservation Hall Jazz Band drummer, Joe Lastie Jr. After the storm, Joe Lastie Jr. and Ben Jaffe, Creative Director of Preservation Hall, reassembled the Lastie Family including matriarch, Aunt Bettie Ann and Reverend Leon Vaughan, and recorded The Lastie Family Gospel, it’s latest release on Preservation Hall Records.

With soaring vocals and perfect harmonies, Leo Jackson and The Melody Clouds Quartet are a rollicking all-male quartet whose synchronized vocals are driven by a pulsating band. Founded in 1965 by Leo Jackson Sr., the Melody Clouds echo back to the famed Gospel quartets of the past.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band with famed vocalist Big Al Carson as a special guest will explore the links between Gospel, Blues, and the Jazz tradition of New Orleans. “We are proud to share the sounds of New Orleans Gospel with Gospel lovers from around the country at the Essence Music Festival. This revival allows us to perpetuate the musical traditions of New Orleans”, states Ben Jaffe, Creative Director of Preservation Hall."