On Wednesday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium some or favorite gospel legends took stage as Carnegie Hall presented “A Night of Inspiration.” The program celebrated the uplifting power of gospel music through vocal and spoken-word performances presented by a star studded lineup of artists.

(Soledad O’Brien)

Hosted by CNN journalist Soledad O’Brien and Brooklyn minister, Rev. A. R. Bernard, the program featured performances by celebrated gospel vocalists Pastor Shirley Caesar, Sheila E., Patty Griffin, Fred Hammond, Michael McDonald, Richard Smallwood, Hezekiah Walker, and BeBe & CeCe Winans with readings by special guests Phylicia Rashad and Pauletta Washington. Ray Chew, musical director BET’s “Sunday Best”, served as the concert’s Musical Director.

(Ray Chew, musical director BET’s “Sunday Best”)

“I believe in the transformative power of music, and anyone who has experienced spirituals and gospel music as performed by these amazing artists can attest to the excitement and joy that fills the room when they perform,” says Ray Chew.

(Featured Performers BeBe & CeCe)

Now in its 119th season, Carnegie Hall has a longstanding history of presenting performances of spirituals and gospel music, having had an open door policy for performers and audience alike since its opening in 1891. With a line up like this you know they turned the house out and moved every spectator to their feet!