The Zion Harmonizers are the city’s oldest and most-loved gospel group, rooted in the American traditions of vocal quartet singing and a capella, four-part harmonies, energized by both New Orleans rhythms and a deep, collective spiritual belief.  For nearly ninety years the group has stood at the forefront of the gospel scene, most notably as the anchors and curators of the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Indeed, the group’s longtime leader, Sherman Washington, who died in 2011, became known as “The Godfather of the Gospel Tent.”

The group was founded in the late 1930s, taking their name from their Zion City neighborhood and their influences from groups like The Southern Harps. They underwent several permutations during the early years, but solidified behind Washington’s leadership after his return from the Korean War in 1954. (Washington joined the group in 1941; his brother Nolan was also an important contributor.) Washington also kept the gospel scene alive and thriving with a radio program that lasted over 45 years and featured local gospel music and community news.

The group has recorded several albums over the years, and with the increasing popularity of the Jazz and Heritage Festival and interest in the gospel tradition, the Zion Harmonizers now enjoy a world-wide reputation. Current leader Brazella Briscoe has shepherded the group into the contemporary music scene by holding true to the basics – a capella spirituals and traditional hymns – while jazzing things up with R&B-inspired praise tunes.

In addition to holding down the Gospel Tent at Jazz Fest, the Zion Harmonizers have both toured the world and played local churches and festivals far closer to home. Their recordings include the 1982 crossover hit Never Alone, which brought the group to a wider audience, and the 2014 Bringing In the Sheaves, with tunes like “If I had a Hammer” and the a capella “Didn’t Hear Nobody Pray,” remind the world of gospel music’s timeless message and enduring appeal.