2 months ago
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After 50 years of making music in Jamaica and the Caribbean, the renowned Gospel Proclaimers, led by reggae sensation Leroy Gibbons (whose given name is Leroy Gibbon) are coming together for a reunion performance on Easter Sunday at the National Arena starting at 5 p.m.
Themed ‘Arise2025: The Musical Experience’, this gathering brings together The Gospel Proclaimers – formed back in 1975 at Kingsway High School and was once Jamaica’s most sought-after gospel groups – and The Hoppers, a staple on The Gaithers Homecoming Series, one of America’s leading musical families and a top Christian music group that is continuing to sell out audiences across the US and around the world. The Hoppers, with hits like Yahweh, Grace is Greater, Jerusalem will headline the highly anticipated music festival.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a mesmerising throwback for many church-going and event-loving Jamaicans who have good memories of the late ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s,” shared Dr Joseph Redley, an alumnus of Kingsway High School and co-founder of The Gospel Proclaimers.
The acclaimed a cappella group, with lead vocalist Leroy Gibbon, performed almost exclusively to sold-out audiences across Jamaica in large churches and performance venues like Ward Theatre in Kingston and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew. They were also the first and only independent gospel group to perform with the accompaniment of both the then popular Jamaica Constabulary Band and the Jamaica Defence Force Band.
The group’s popularity grew because of their rich harmony, their musical versatility, and uniquely blended sound – mastering the musical artistry of the likes of Sam Cook and the Soul Stirrers, Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson and other music greats.
“The sound, even back in the late ‘70s, was quite unique to Jamaican audiences, and Leroy Gibbon was an exceptional talent with the kind of vocal range and mastery that makes him a splendid amalgamation of Elvis, Sam Cook and Mahalia Jackson all at the same time,” shared Rev Dennis Dillon from New York, also a founding member of the group.
Gibbon, who resides between Canada and Jamaica, went on to a solo career and has produced hits like Magic Moment, Cupid and Stir it up, is journeying back to his gospel roots and will be in Jamaica for the 50th year reunion concert. Most of the original group members and other talented singers who joined later will also be in Jamaica.
Dale Flynn, president of Advent Praise International based in the USA is the event promoter and a senior consultant for Arise2025.
“This event is shaping up to be a rather transformative worship experience. The multi-award-winning family gospel group, The Hoppers, coming to Jamaica for the first time, the reuniting of The Gospel Proclaimers with original lead singer Leroy Gibbons, and awesome local talents including Carey Sayles, Vennica Nicholson-Reid, H.U.M.B.L.E and special appearance by Rhoda Isabella will definitely be a Shouting Time at the National Arena,” Flynn shared.
Arise 2025 is a full week of activities that culminates with the gospel music festival. With a strong focus on education, community engagement and the reunion of alumni from Kingsway High School gathering from all around the world, Flynn sees this event as a conduit of holistic transformation that will help to shape the mental, spiritual and physical faculties of our nation and the Jamaican diaspora.
English (US) ·