Jazz and soul musicians often point to one foundational entry point: the gospel church. It serves as an unmatched training ground—a space where musicianship, emotional expression, and a deep love of music are cultivated side by side. Those roots are an essential part of our broader musical landscape.

Long before Charlotte became a financial powerhouse, its culture drew deeply from sacred vocal traditions. By the mid-1990s, local legacy ensembles fused old-school spirituals with modern production. Over subsequent decades, gospel icons like Pastor John P. Kee used Charlotte as a creative sanctuary, while institutions like the Brighter Day Community Choir and the all-brass shout bands of the United House of Prayer—such as Mangum & Company—preserved our regional Piedmont identity. Megachurches later expanded that footprint, launching national acts like Mack Brock and Tiffany Hudson, while groundbreaking groups like the Sainted Trap Choir brought the local sound to national stages.

Charlotte’s central role in the genre was highlighted this month as the city hosted the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Founded in 1984 and often referred to as the “Grammys of Gospel,” the Stellars are the premier awards show celebrating achievements in gospel music. The broadcast rotates across major hubs—including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville, and now Charlotte—to honor traditional, contemporary, and urban gospel alongside the announcers and directors driving the genre forward.

Middle C Jazz was thrilled to participate directly by hosting the satellite 2nd Annual Gospel Industry Coalition Honors, recognizing the behind-the-scenes architects powering the music ecosystem.

Many honorees over the years share direct ties to our city and our stage. Charlotte-raised powerhouse Melvin Crispell III earned major nods and wins, continuing a legacy built right here at home. Meanwhile, Stellar winners and nominees like saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Marcus Anderson have graced the Middle C Jazz stage.

To honor this rich tradition year-round, Middle C Jazz hosts a bimonthly Gospel Series showcasing incredible local talent. Our upcoming edition features the phenomenal Jasmine E. performing a special tribute to gospel legend CeCe Winans—who added to her monumental career with major Stellar wins again this year. Join us as we celebrate the artistry, the spirit, and the enduring Charlotte legacy that ties it all together.

Next performance is Sunday, September 20th. 

Article written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Scott Homewood