The Shades of Praise - Background Information

• The Shades is an inter-racial gospel choir from New Orleans, founded in 2000 by Philip Manuel, a renowned New Orleans jazz vocalist and Michael Cowan, a Loyola University theologian. Al Bemiss, a highly respected New Orleans gospel choirmaster, directs the choir.
  

• The Shades includes 65 voices from more than twenty-five congregations and a music ensemble of five; forty-five people will come to St. Paul April 18-20, 2008.
  

• The Shades regularly perform at the JazzHeritage fest, throughout New Orleans, and have been featured on National Public Radio.
  

• The Shades has performed in Ireland using a similar
  performance-discussion format focusing on the topic of sectarian violence.
  

History of the Shades of Praise - New Orleans Interracial Gospel Choir

In October 2000, two friends, Philip Manuel (a renowned New Orleans jazz vocalist) and Michael Cowan (a Loyola University theologian), had an idea to create a genuinely integrated organization. They wondered … if they brought black and white people together to do something fun, and meaningful, and valuable, might they create an environment where at least this small group of people could begin to get past the personal segregation that exists in life in New Orleans and in America.

So they each invited six friends who loved music, some black some white, to join a new gospel choir. And they convinced Al Bemiss, a highly respected New Orleans gospel choirmaster to direct the choir.

As fate would have it, the first performance of Shades of Praise was scheduled for September 12, 2001. And so, on that day of mourning in America, this small choir became a voice of hope in their first public performance at historic Trinity Episcopal Church.

From 2001 to 2005, the choir rehearsed every Thursday night at Loyola University. Through rehearsals and performances, the members began to get to know one another. They shared needs and concerns, beliefs and hopes, fears and dreams.

And under Bemiss' instruction, Shades of Praise became a bit of a phenomenon in New Orleans. The choir became known for its joyous, high-energy, contemporary gospel sound. And audiences were visibly moved by the choir members' obvious closeness … by this glimpse of what New Orleans could be.

In addition to concerts at various churches around town, Shades of Praise began singing at JazzFest. They were nominated for the 2004 Big Easy Award in the Best Gospel Choir Category and were at the center of a citywide series of "Care Again" concerts, to facilitate public dialogue on race and promote harmony and diversity. All the while, the choir grew. By 2005, there were 60 members.

Then Katrina struck … and the "Shades" were scattered to the winds.

As the Shades say at their website:

We didn't know if we would ever see each other again. We didn't even know if everyone was alive. But by then, we were family.

And so like all scattered New Orleans families, they began tracking each other down. We conducted an electronic "roll call" -- documenting the location and situation of each member as they were found. We used text messaging, called known friends and relatives, searched in shelters. And finally, after weeks of anxiety, all the Shades were found.

But the homes of 26 members had been flooded, and many more had lost their jobs. All of us were traumatized, displaced, scared, and uncertain what would happen next. And then a remarkable thing happened. When FEMA failed, when the City failed, when the State failed, we were able to help each other. We helped each other find apartments, we helped each other find jobs, we helped each other salvage possessions, and we raised money from friends and family around the country to help with expenses.

And, most importantly, we helped each other heal. As we slowly made our way back to New Orleans over the next several months, we healed each other with song, dance, hugs, and praise … as we gathered in increasingly larger numbers. By the middle of 2006, more than forty Shades had returned to New Orleans. But fourteen were still displaced. We invited new members to join, and many new Shades joined our ranks, adding important new energy and enthusiasm.

In 2006-2007, we were called upon frequently to appear at many events associated with the rebuilding of New Orleans. We sang at the lighting of the 2006 French Quarter Christmas tree, Touro Synagogue's 2007 JazzFest Shabbat, and the post-Katrina re-opening of several churches around town. And again in 2007 we were nominated for the Big Easy Award in the Best Gospel Choir Category.

But life in post-Katrina New Orleans continues to be a struggle. The vastness of the disaster means that it is not physically possible to fix all that has been damaged in short order, no matter how hard we work, no matter how many resources are provided. Our city … the city we love … is broken into countless pieces. And we ourselves struggle with the trauma and grief associated with the tremendous losses we have experienced.

But, in the tradition of African American praise and worship music, we focus on gratitude for all that God provides. We focus on the progress we see continually around us. And we are constantly amazed by the miracles in our midst.

When we are in trouble, God comes to our rescue through our love for one another -- elbows, hearts and voices together - a truly integrated community effort that surely makes Dr. King smile. And in turn, we work to inspire New Orleans … with a glimpse of what New Orleans can be. A truly integrated community, filled with gratitude, love, praise and … as always … song.

No matter what … Shades of Praise will continue to join hearts, minds and voices in rebirth, renewal and celebration.