Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir-Something to Crow about at 222

Founded in 1986, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir (OIGC) is a nonprofit arts organization comprised of multiracial, generational and religious backgrounds.  Their mission, under the guidance of its high-spirited Director, Terence Kelly, is to unify people through the sharing of Negro spiritual, black gospel music and hymns.   Kelly, an operatic bass singer, performs with the San Francisco Opera Chorus.  In addition to having received Gospel Music Awards, he is an Emmy Award winner for choral arranging.  Kelly's arrangements have been recorded by popular artists Linda Ronstadt and the classical strings Quartet Kronos.  The program from last night's sold-out performance at 222, was an evening filled with spirituals, R&B music, gospel music and unmitigated joy.  Kelly led the 16 members representing the choir while encouraging the audience to become active participants by clapping, singing and dancing along with the music.  The reluctance first shown by a mostly staid audience gave way to a more adventurous and uproarious celebration.   The ebullience onstage was infectious and uplifting.  Clad in matching robes of black with green and gold trim, the choir's singing and swaying billowed onstage and reverberated throughout.  The choir was accompanied by Tina Bryant on piano and Miles Lathan on drums.  With winning good humor, Kelly enlightened us as to the distinguishing trademarks of traditional gospel for the African Methodist Church, Baptist Church and the Church of the Agnostic; the timing of hymns increasing in their musical interpretations.  The arousing gospel songs performed early in the program with their exquisite harmonics and haunting solos ('Oh Lord, Please My Prayer', 'Down by the Riverside') gave way to slower ballads ('Amazing') sounding somewhat similar to  R&B arrangements as song by Marvin Gaye or Teddy Pendergast.  Dir. Kelly brought everyone around for the finale in a rousing 'Everybody Dancin' which did exactly that.  Communal mission accomplished! 

Mission accomplished