Benjamin Matthews sings Spirituals (4)

The late, great bass-baritone Benjamin Matthews (1933-2006) sings the following spirituals:

1. "If He Changed Mah Name"
2. "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" (with Vanessa Ayers & Gregory Sheppard)
3. "There is a Balm in Gilead" and "The Storm is Passing Over" (with Wayne Sanders, piano)

Matthews sings here songs which he understands better than most. He grew up hearing them in the cornfields and cottonfields. He truly learned them at his mother's and grandmother's feet. They were songs the family would sing day and night.

Benjamin Matthews and Wayne Sanders were co-founders of Opera Ebony -- a company established to reflect the talents of African-American performers in a variety of settings including opera, lieder, jazz and spirituals. The Company has done remarkable work here in America and around the world. May their tribe increase!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• negro
• spirituals
• traditional
• music
• inspirational
• edward
• boatner
• hall
• johnson
• Boris
• Goldovsky

[Gary2837]

Truly a great and talented man!!!!

[benderpm]

Yes, Ben was all of that and much more!!!! He lives on in our family!~

[SPTN58]

It's so great to run across this recording. I met Ben back in the 70s and visited with him many time at the Ansonia. Wayne, we met, too. Best wishes to you. Ben is missed!