T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh in a Gospel Concert Tribute – June 18, 2010

"T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Salutes Gospel’s Original Diva” celebrates the roots of gospel music and answers the question, “Who is gospel’s original diva?” The concert, produced by gospel maven Pastor Mack C. Mason in collaboration with Keymáh, takes place on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 8p.m. at Christian Tabernacle Church, 4712 S. Prairie Ave. in Chicago. Regular tickets: $20; VIP tickets: $25. Call Christian Tabernacle (773.548.2500), Brown Paper Tickets (800.838.3000), or log on to: http://tinyurl.com/gospeldiva. Save 20% by purchasing your ticket by June 1st! Groups call 630.336.5379.

Best known as a series regular on Fox’s Emmy Award-winning sketch variety show, In Living Color, CBS’ hit, COSBY, and Disney’s That’s So Raven, Keymáh was first known to Chicago audiences for playing Dinah Washington in ETA’s long-running review, The Regal Theater and capturing the title of Miss Black Illinois with singing impressions of Nell Carter, Nancy Wilson and Billie Holiday. In the June concert Keymáh pays tribute to the singer Mason dubbed gospel’s original diva…but who was gospel’s first real diva? Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, Rosetta Tharpe or someone else? Keymáh invites gospel fans to post their pre-concert guesses on her Facebook Fan page (http://tinyurl.com/T-KeyahFans).

Mason is the author and publisher of several books, including "Saints in the Land of Lincoln" (which has been called "Gospel Music 101"). He is also a gifted singer / songwriter, and a radio personality whose voice has been heard on radio and television since 1976. The founder of Faithday Press, Mason most recently co-authored Christian Tabernacle Pastor Maceo L. Woods’ new biography, “A Graceful Journey.”

The concert kicks-off the Black Music Month Gospel Trade Symposium which includes panels, lectures, workshops and a new artist showcase on Saturday, June 19th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m, at Roberts Temple COGIC, 4021 S. State St. Host Pastor: Supt. Clevon Wardlow. Panels and workshops include: The History of Chicago School of Gospel, What Record Companies are Looking for, Inspiration and Innovation – Why Indies Matter. Cost to attend all panels and workshops is $10.00.

T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh and Pastor Mack C. Mason are available for interviews. To arrange, please contact Donald James at 313.258.9162 or via email at mastermediadj@sbcglobal.net. #