Doug Gately, director of the UMW Jazz Ensemble.
Doug Gately, director of the UMW Jazz Ensemble, performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Reineke at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Dec 20. The National Symphony Orchestra celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Grammy® and Dove award–winning gospel album that reinterpreted Handel’s famous oratorio with a special one-night-only performance of Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. The performance, which was produced by executive producer of the 1992 album Mervyn Warren, marked the first-ever live performance of the album. The program featured an all-star roster of guest artists, including Jennifer Holliday, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Take 6, Marvin Sapp, The Clark Sisters, Chanté Moore, Deitrick Haddon, Billy Porter, Kelly Price, Sheléa, Janice Chandler-Eteme, Nnenna Freelon, the Steven Ford Singers. Music from Handel’s original oratorio was interspersed with new music inspired by spirituals, blues, ragtime and Hip Hop.
