African rhythms, ideas of sin and the Hammond organ: A brief history of gospel music’s evolution

For the enslaved Africans, music – rhythm in particular – became a tool of communication about their conditions. Later, it ...
The Christian Century

Machanic Manyeruke and the gospel music scene in Africa

In his new documentary Machanic Manyeruke: The Life of Zimbabwe’s Gospel Music Legend, filmmaker James Ault reminds us of the effervescent worship culture that thrives across Christian Africa. So much ...
The Oak Ridger

How African music became American music

At 2 p.m. Feb. 3, I met John Fleming, his sister, and Ruby Miller, at the American Museum of Science and Energy. It was my privilege to provide a tour to acquaint our speaker for the evening with ...
The Oak Ridger

Explore the music, history of three faith traditions at recent "Roots" event

For anyone attending a contemporary African American worship service, the experience carries “an expectation of participation,” said the Rev. Derrick Hammond, pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church in ...