An exploration of gospel music, the dominant form of African-American religious expression
Dig deep into the origin story of Black gospel music, coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration. From Mahalia to Kirk Franklin, in the last century, gospel music has become the dominant form of African American religious expression and provided a soundtrack of healing and uplift to those at the front lines of protest and change.
Dig deep into the origin story of Black gospel music, coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration. From Mahalia to Kirk Franklin, in the last century, gospel music has become the dominant form of African American religious expression and provided a soundtrack of healing and uplift to those at the front lines of protest and change.
From
An exploration of gospel music, the dominant form of African-American religious expression
Dig deep into the origin story of Black gospel music, coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration. From Mahalia to Kirk Franklin, in the last century, gospel music has become the dominant form of African American religious expression and provided a soundtrack of healing and uplift to those at the front lines of protest and change.
Dig deep into the origin story of Black gospel music, coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration. From Mahalia to Kirk Franklin, in the last century, gospel music has become the dominant form of African American religious expression and provided a soundtrack of healing and uplift to those at the front lines of protest and change.
From
Providing Support for PBS.org
Music Inspired by the Series
A Very GOSPEL Holiday Playlist
Discover the uplifting power of gospel music this holiday season with our special Spotify playlist, inspired by Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s film, GOSPEL. Featuring timeless gospel classics, it's perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any music lover.
Listen NowProviding Support for PBS.org
Behind the Scenes of GOSPEL
1/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. poses for a photo with Series Directors/Producers, Stacey Holman and Shayla Harris, Producer, Chelsea Adewunmi and Jekalyn Carr for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
2/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. poses for a photo with U.S. Senator, Raphael Warnock during an interview for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
3/15
Rev. Otis Moss III poses for a photo with the crew of GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
4/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., chats with Bob Darden at the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project in Baylor University
Courtesy McGee Media
5/15
Mother Shirley Miller accompanied by the Edwin Hawkins Singers perform at City of Refuge UCC
Courtesy McGee Media
6/15
Series Director/Producer, Stacey Holman pose for a photo with Producer, Chelsea Adewunmi for a GOSPEL shoot
Courtesy McGee Media
7/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. interviews Donald Lawrence in a recording studio for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
8/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. poses for a photo with Michael Eric Dyson for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
9/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. interviews Jekalyn Carr in a recording studio for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
10/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., poses for a photo with Dionne Warwick for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
11/15
GOSPEL Live Music Director, Tyrell Belle chat with Series Director/Producer, Shayla Harris on set
Courtesy McGee Media
12/15
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. poses for a photo with the GOSPEL crew in Boston, MA
Courtesy McGee Media
13/15
The Belle Singers perform "Total Praise" on set for GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
14/15
Bass Guitarist, Joshua Easley, Jr. performs "Total Praise" on the set for GOSPEL with The Belle Singers
Courtesy McGee Media
15/15
Celisse Henderson poses for a photo with her guitar on the set of GOSPEL
Courtesy McGee Media
About the Show
Tune in February 12 & 13, 2024, 9/8C for "Gospel."
From the blues to hip hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. Musical styles come and go, but there's one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday. GOSPEL, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song.
Episode subjects include: The Gospel Train (the sonic influences of blues and jazz), The Golden Age Of Gospel (from the Lord’s music to the mainstream), Take The Message Everywhere (gospel goes mainstream, taking the good news everywhere), and Gospel's Second Century (gospel and preaching achieve platinum-selling success).
Support for PBS.org provided by: