Bethel A.M.E. Church presents Langston Hughes’s Black Nativity, featuring Howard Taylor, and the Vernon Jones Singers

PRESS RELEASE:

Bethel A.M.E. Church presents Langston Hughes’s Black Nativity, featuring Howard Taylor, and the Vernon Jones Singers

Contact: Lisa Kellman * 203-747-5008 * blacknativityconnecticut@gmail.com

December 16, 2008 – New Haven, CT – Bethel AME Church Music Department presents Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, featuring Hoard Taylor, and the Vernon Jones Singers

The Music Department of Bethel AME Church, will present their production rendition of the acclaimed gospel song play, Black Nativity, written by Langston Hughes.  This production features songs and music written and arranged by the Late Minister Vernon Jones and Elder Howard Taylor.  “Follow That Star” and “Tell It” are two (2) notable songs that were written by Vernon Jones and performed in a rendition produced by The Alliance Theatre, Inc. of New Haven in the late 1980’s.  This year, we also added “Oh How He Loves Me” written by Howard Taylor, as well as two (2) other songs arranged by Elder Taylor.   

Since 1990’s, the memory of Black Nativity, scored and arranged by Vernon Jones and Howard Taylor, Sr., have permeated the hearts and memories of so many.  It was a beautifully blended sound and visual performance showcasing the finest dancers and the most anointed singers throughout the state of CT. During the ‘80’s and into the mid 90’s, this particular rendition featuring Vernon Jones and the Vernon Jones Singers, became a movement, an annual anticipation for folks and fans across the state.  People came to hear the grand music, to see the exquisite dancing, most comparable to that of Alvin Alley.  They came to feel the spirit and be moved, by the creative story telling of the Babe born in a manger, brilliantly illustrated by Langston Hughes.  It was a performance fit for Broadway; right here in the City of New Haven.  Then the show began the last Saturday in November through mid-December. Moving around from the Center Church on the Green to the campus of UNH. 

Since then, the production has been rendered by many others. This year,  Bethel has been blessed with an amazing opportunity to bring to the greater New Haven community, our rendition of Black Nativity, featuring the original scores and arrangements of Vernon Jones and Howard Taylor.  The rehearsals have been wonderful and exciting.  With reunion of family and old friends, to the making of new ones, over some great gospel singing of familiar songs and spirit filled emotions of some new.   

Bethel AME Church is pleased and proud to continue the legacy of Black Nativity in New Haven. Showcasing our extraordinary liturgical dancers, under the divine direction and choreography of Mrs. Carissa Kee-Conyers (who also danced in Black Nativity as a youth, with The Alliance Theatre, Inc. in the ‘90’s), along with our featured special guest, we’ve come together to tell the story of the birth of Christ through wonderous songs and phenomenal dance. This is not a performance anyone would want to miss. 

This performance has been dedicated to the memory of the late Vernon Jones, who served as the Minister of Music at Bethel A.M.E. Church; developing its Music Department, playing and directing many of its choirs, for over two, (2) decades, under the Pastoral leadership of Reverend Stanley J. Justice.  His musical life and legacy also extended throughout the greater New Haven community, as founder and director of several gospel choirs and groups. Most notably, the recorded, award winning and world-renowned, Vernon Jones Singers. 

Performance is set for Sunday, December 16, 2018, at 5:00pm, doors open at 4:00pm, at Bethel AME Church, 255 Goffe Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Call 203.747.5008 for more information.