Norristown Bicentennial Gospel Jazz & Blues Festival

Elmwood Park, 1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PA | Get Directions »
FREE

Norristown – On Saturday, June 23, 2012, The Living Ground Ministries/Reflections News Magazine will host the tenth event of Norristown’s Bicentennial Celebration:  the Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival at Elmwood Park, Harding Boulevard - from noon until 6:00 p.m.

Featuring both local and national musical artists, the Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival has something for the whole family; contemporary and traditional gospel music, jazz and blues favorites, vendors and food.

“Norristown is a borough full of residents from many diverse cultures yet they all share one thing in common; the desire to live in a community where peace and harmony exists regardless of the native origin,” said Scott.

Pure Springs Gospel recording artist, Vicki Yohe, will grace the crowd with her hit single, “Because Of Who You Are” and additional songs. Vicki has ministered in various parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia and alongside some of today’s well-known pastors and evangelists such as Bill Winston, Juanita Bynum, Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Darlene Bishop and Paula White.  Pure Springs Gospel is a CeCe Winans company.

The Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival and each Bicentennial activity commemorates not only the history of Norristown but the gifts, talents, and abilities of the residents who live here today,” said Howard Scott editor-in-chief of Reflections News Magazine.

Musical artist Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, a Stellar award winner, will pay tribute to Thomas A. Dorsey, “the Father of Gospel Music” with renditions of Dorsey’s compilations including a longtime gospel favorite entitled, Take My Hand, Precious Lord.  Dorsey, originally a musician in Ma Rainey’s “Wild Cats Jazz Band” created and coined a new type of music he called gospel after the tragic death of his switched over to a new form of music he coined ”gospel” after the death of his wife and son during childbirth.

“I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music,” said pianist, songwriter and composer of Piano Man,” recording artist, Billy Joel.  

Additional entertainers performing at this year’s Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival include:  Latrel Maloy, who’s latest single is “Sunshine in the Morning”; Mary Moore from Raleigh North Carolina, Paul King Latham, Markaan Smith, and local artists The Bailout Adult Jazz Ensemble, and Easy Does It.

Sponsors of the Norristown Bicentennial are the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, Conicelli Autoplex, Norristown Ministerium, Wells Fargo, Reflections, Telemundo, El Zol, Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, The Times Herald, Channel 6 Gospel News, PECO, Law Offices of Cullen and Conwell, LLC, Citizens Bank, Bimbo Bakeries and ARS Premium Foods.

Norristown’s Crystalline Studios will have a videographer or two on hand at the Gospel, Jazz & Blues Festival to interview spectators, vendors, and entertainers for inclusion in footage of preceding Bicentennial events.

Future Bicentennial events in 2012 include:  on June 16^th a History Day at Selma Mansion, a Norristown Rally for Youth at Norristown PAL Center, and a Juneteenth Celebration of Black History at the Centre Theater; July 4^th Parade and Fireworks; an August 4^th and 5^th Bocce Tournament at Elmwood Park; a September 5^th Mexican Independence Day Celebration at Astor Plaza; on September 26^th a Pennsylvania State Firemen’s Convention Parade; on September 29^th – the Bicentennial Closing Ceremony.

For up to date information or queries about the Gospel Jazz & Blues Festival log onto www.mlkstat.com or call (973)332-7626. 

For Information regarding past and future Bicentennial events log onto www.norristown200.com.