(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents the Harlem Gospel Travelers on December 16, 2022 at 8:00pm as part of its “New Voices” series. This concert will take place at the First Congregational Church, 40 S. Fullerton Avenue in Montclair and will feature a special appearance by members of Montclair High School Honors and Madrigal Choirs to open the show. Outpost volunteers will be collecting donations for Montclair Mutual Aid at this concert. Requested items include children’s hats, scarves, and gloves, toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, soap, etc., ) and all sizes of diapers.
Things are looking up for The Harlem Gospel Travelers, who return here with a new album, a new lineup, and a new lease on life. Produced by Eli Paperboy Reed, Look Up! marks the group’s first full-length release as a trio, as well as their first collection of totally original material, and it couldn’t have come at a more vital moment. The music still draws deeply on the gospel quartet tradition of the ’50s and ’60s, of course, but there’s a distinctly modern edge to the record, an unmistakable reflection of the tumultuous past few years of pandemic anxiety, political chaos, and social unrest. The songs are bold and resilient, facing down doubt and despair with faith and perseverance, and the performances are explo-sive and ecstatic, fueled by dazzling vocal arrangements punctuated with gritty bursts of guitar and crunchy rhythm breaks.
Born out of an non-profit music education program led by Reed, The Harlem Gospel Travelers—singers Thomas Gatling, George Marage, and Dennis Bai-ley— released their debut LP, He’s On Time, to rave reviews in 2019, with Pop Matters hailing the album’s “musical transcendence” and AllMusic praising it as “dreamlike and joyous.” The record charted on Billboard, earned the Travelers high profile fans like Elton John (who invited them to appear on his Rocket Hour radio show on Apple Music), and landed them festival slots everywhere from Pil-grimage to Telluride Jazz.
Tickets for this show are available for purchase online. Tickets can also be purchased in Montclair at Watchung Booksellers, 54 Fairfield Street, Case Moso, 307 Orange Road, and Montclair Flowers and Gifts, 324 Orange Road, Montclair.
“New Voices” presents emerging or “indie” musicians to the Outpost stage, ex-posing audiences to exciting new or unfamiliar artists.
Covid Policy: Masks are optional at this show and proof of vaccination is not re-quired. Please note that Covid Policy is subject to change at all times. Patrons are advised to check the Outpost web site at www.outpostintheburbs.org for the most up-to-date Covid policies.
Outpost would like to thank “Diamond” show “New Voices” sponsor iSquishables and the Gold Fall Season sponsor, J.W. Pierson Co.
Outpost in the Burbs is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music and volunteerism. Now in its 35th year, the Outpost has presented concerts by inter-nationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn,, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, The Jayhawks, Nick Lowe, and Dar Williams. In addition to presenting concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success, MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope), and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in Orange, NJ.
