ROCK HALL — As its opening concert of 2026, in celebration of Black History Month, The Mainstay will present “History of Praise — An African American Legacy” on Saturday, Feb. 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
This program is made possible with the generous support of Barbara Parker.
The gospel concert will “celebrate the enduring power of African American worship, music and cultural history,” according to a news release.
The evening’s program is inspired by Psalm 150, a scripture that calls for praise in every place and through every sound, from trumpet and harp to dance, strings and cymbals, ending with a simple command for all who have breath to praise the Lord.
The concert follows a historical and musical arc that traces the progression of African American worship from bondage to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, shaping a living legacy expressed through scripture, testimony and song.
“History of Praise” is structured as a journey through styles and eras, blending unaccompanied a cappella tradition, gospel quartet roots and the sanctified sound that swings with jazz and blues.
Featured selections will include music shaped by the call and response tradition that influenced work songs, spirituals, gospel and blues.
The program also reflects the deep emotional landscape of songs like “I’ve Been Buked,” a spiritual that echoes the sorrow and strength of enslaved Africans, and timeless classics such as “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” presented with a jazz vocal and saxophone reprise. Modern gospel testimony is heard in “Total Praise,” an iconic work revered in the African American worshiping community.
The concert also honors the powerful evolution of gospel quartet singing, a style that emerged after slavery and grew through groups such as the Fisk Jubilee Singers. That tradition continues through well-known contemporary gospel classics including “Something About the Name Jesus” and “Hold On.”
A special segment highlights Duke Ellington’s concert of sacred music, including the spirited gospel waltz “Tell Me It’s the Truth.”
Bishop Leon Frison will serve as master of ceremonies.
Karen Somerville, a founder of the acclaimed vocal trio Sombarkin, headlines the list of performers.
Other performers include soprano Portia Turner; the Rev. Denise M. Jones; a band featuring Gerry Werner on piano, Jeff Davis on bass and guitar, Anthony “Turk” Cannon on saxophone and Chris Copper on drums; and DéJaneé Jones, who will make her Mainstay debut with selections on the flute.
The cost is $25 per ticket.
The Mainstay is located at 5753 N. Main St. in Rock Hall.
For more information, see https://mainstayrockhall.org/.