SHIRLEY CAESAR TO SING AT GOSPEL IS ALIVE

The 26th annual Johnny Jackson, Jr. Gospel Is Alive Celebration will feature the legendary Shirley Caesar. This free event takes place Monday, April 27, at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church (map).

Shirley Caesar will be the headline attraction at the 26th annual Johnny Jackson Jr. Gospel Is Alive Celebration, which will be held at its traditional time - the Monday morning following the first weekend of Jazz Fest.

Admission is free. The concert begins at 10 a.m. Also appearing will be the Mahalia Jackson Youth Choir and the Johnson Extension Gospel Singers.

The Johnny Jackson Jr. Gospel Is Alive Celebration is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation's annual outreach program for youth and senior citizens in the New Orleans area. The concert is also open to the public, free of charge, depending on seating availability.

The concert has been named this year in honor of one of its biggest proponents, Johnny Jackson, Jr., a longtime member of the board of directors of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, as well as a former New Orleans City Council member and former Louisiana State Representative.

At this year's event, 13 leaders of the local gospel community will be honored.

School groups are encouraged to attend - contact Don Marshall by calling (504) 558-6106.

The concert will take place at:

Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
2515 Franklin Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70117

With 11 Grammy Awards and seven Dove Awards to her credit, Shirley Caesar is known as the First Lady of Gospel Music. She began her recording career at age 13 in 1951, and since then has released more than 40 albums.

The 2015 Johnny Jackson Jr. Gospel Is Alive Celebration is produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation. Additional support is provided by these sponsors:

St. Thomas Community Health Center
Peoples Health
Rhodes Life Insurance Company
Liberty Bank
New Orleans Council on Aging