[Program: Richard Smallwood & the Smallwood Singers] Page: 2 of 2

                                
RICHARD SMALLWOOD
& THE SMALLWOOD SINGERS
As the son of a Baptist minister, Smallwood grew up with an
abiding love of church music. He first played the piano by ear at age 5
and at 7 began formal training. A life-long devotee of choral music, he
formed his first group at age 11. Later, in college, the gifted pianist
rmed degrees in piano and voice, and as a member of the campus
>spel group the Celestials, he performed at the prestigious Montreaux
z Festival.
In 1977, he dedicated his life to music ministry, forming The
chard Smallwood Singers, a group that has made an incalculable
ntribution to gospel music. Their self-titled debut album spent 87
eeks on the gospel charts, while their 1984 follow-up earned a Grammy
*mination for Best Gospel Album. The next year, the group gained
claim as part of the touring company of Sing Mahalia Sing, starring
,nnifer Holliday. Smallwood also served as music director and wrote
,1 ra ,-ngs for the production.
Before long, the group was criss-crossing the globe, performing
th rougihut Europe and becoming the first gospel group to perform in
Russia. Richard's song, "Center of My Joy", has gone on to become a
staple at church services nationwide. He's been honored by the
Smithsonian Institution as a "gospel innovator", and the group has
performed numerous times at the White House, the Kennedy Center and
the Smithsonian Institution. The Richard Smallwood singers made their
Sparrow Records debut in 1992 with the well-received Testimony, hailed
by Religious Broadcasting magazine as "a dynamic collection.. .a true
testimony to the great God we love and serve."
Testimony went on to garner a Dove Award from the Gospel
Music Association for Traditional Album of the Year. Also in 1993,
Smallwood received both a Grammy and Dove Award for his
contribution to the best-selling Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.
Ministering to people through music has been a singular joy for
Smallwood. "There are people out there really suffering," he notes.
"People who need encouragement, who need to know Someone can heal
their hurts. I take no credit for the good we do. I owe it all to God, and I
feel blessed that for some reason he has chosen me to help make a
i difference in people's lives." As for his own personal growth,
'-mallwood is quick to point out, "I've learned to depend more on God
than ever before, and I've acquired a hunger for His Word like never
foree"

REVEREND RICKY RUSH &
THE SKYLINE UNLIMITED CONNECTION CHOIR
Reverend Ricky Rush, pastor of Inspiring Body of Christ Church in
Dallas, formed The Skyline Unlimited Connection Choir in 1986. The choir
is a multi-racial, multi-cultural group comprised of students at Skyline High
School. The choir started with 100 students and has had as many as 700.
Initially, the choir was only allowed to meet for fifteen minutes before
school and only for fifteen days during African American History Month in
February. Their meeting time has grown to 30 minutes before classes begin
and the duration has increased to 2 months. The choir performs only once a
year during African American History Month and frequently on Rev. Rush's
radio program, "Experience The Joy", on 660 AM KSKY. Sponsors of the
group are Skyline High School teachers Julia Fuller, Felicia Brooks (both of
whom serve as the choir's coordinators and members of Rush's church)
Brenda Prothrow, Alvinetta Jones, and Anna Irving. This particular
engagement marks the first time the choir has performed outside of Skyline.
The choir's theme is "We're Saving Our Own Lives" and each young person
has committed themselves to take a serious interest in their own positive
personal growth.
Special thanks to the IBM Corporation
for supporting this program.
Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. 1994-95 programs are supported in part by funds
from the National Endowment for the Arts Expansion Arts Program (a federal agency), Texas
Commission on the Arts, TACA, Wise-Way Printing and Typesetting Company of Fort Worth and
the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs as recommended by the City's Cultural Affairs
Commission and approved by the Dallas City Council. Season Supporters are: The Dallas
Weekly, Genesis Graphics, KKDA - Soul 73 AM / K104.5 FM, KDFW-TV Channel 4 and
Southland Center Hotel - the Official Hotel of Guest Artists of our season. JBAAL Music
Series Supporters are: IBM and Funky Times & D Notes Magazines.
COMING APRIL 27 - 30
The Broadway smash that started the theater craze across the
nation! Mama I Want To Sing comes to Dallas for an exclusive
engagement at the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
Don't miss this exciting musical that will have you wanting more.
For tickets and information call (214) 658-7147.
Hurry! Seats are going fast!