Chi-Chi is of Nigerian and Irish descent and is the founder and Artist Director of the Chineke! Orchestra. The first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of a majority of black and ethnically diverse musicians. As a 7 year old child, when she began to play the piano she realised her body was powered by the sounds of music. Sources Wikipedia Superheroes by Sophia Thakur

Jordan began singing in his church choir and continued through his college education Gained national recognition in 2015 when he won Season 9 of the singing competition The Voice.He was the first artist of the season to reach No1 in sales of pop songs in the ITune Store and set new sales marks on Billboard charts. In 2022 sang * Sparrow* . representing Kentucky on the American Song Contest- came third.

Chris is well known for a viral video Angles in Heaven which he performed with activist and percussionist Abby the Spoon Lady. Reached 200 million views on Facebook and 10 million on YouTube. During grade and high school Chris played with various bluegrass, metal and rock and roll bands. To raise money for bills he started to street perform. Chris started to street perform on a regular basis in 2012. He started to play music with Abby the Spoon Lady in the spring of 2013… In 2015 filmmaker Erin Durham released the documentary film* Buskin’ Blues* which centered around Asheville, North Carolina area and featured Chris and Abbey. He released his first solo album I’ll Keep My Light Liton 8th July 2016 With Abby he released Working on Wall Street in 2017. Film maker Justin Johnson created a short film *Abby the Spoon Lady which chronicles a day in the life of a musician and featured Chris Source Wikipedia

Elizabeth Rebecca Mitchell is a Jamaican-British singer. She is best remembered for being one of the original singers of the 1970s disco/reggae band Boney M. She became regarded as Boney M’s lead vocalist Aged 11 she moved with her parents to Harlesden in the UK. She has had a long career as a .singer. She auditioned for Hair. She moved to West Berlin to join the Les Humphries Singers for a few years. In 1976 she joined Boney M . The originally group disbanded in 1986. Boney M regrouped in 1986 for a tour in 1987. In 1989 due to personal differences Liz decided to focus on her solo career Liz has been a member of the newly formed group, now known as ‘Boney M featuring Liz Mitchell ,’ for many years. In 1996 she recorded with her husband an Ep of 4 Christmas songs as a special Christmas gift for her fans. They have also recorded a number of albums Share the World, Christmas Rose, Let it be She is still touring .Liz now resides in Caversham, Reading, Berkshire.

Alisa Childers member of ZOEgirl U SA Hope Darst musician and songwriter USA Lauren Daigle singer and songwriter USA Maryanne Joshua George musician and songwriter USA Moriah Smallbone actress, singer & songwriter USA Normani singer, Fifth Harmony USA Tasha Layton singer, songwriter & author USA Terrian singer and song writer USA Tori Kelly singer-songwriter USA Moira Dela Torre singer-song-writer and occasional actress Philippines Onos Ariyo singer and songwriter Nigeria All 11 are talented Christian musicians

Moya is a member of a very successful Irish band called Clannad (See separate notes). In 2000 she published her autobiography called ’ The Other Side of the Rainbow’ where she re-evaluates her life. Moya in 2003 became Goodwill ambassador to Christian Blind Mission (CBM). Her first trip was to Congo-Kinshasa with 5 others. Called off due to civil unrest. In 2003 travelled to Rwanda. In 2005 returned to Congo In 2007 visited Brazil and then travelled to Belize. In 2008 travelled to Tanzania. Performed concerts with other CBM Goodwill Ambassadors from Europe. Moya performs various concerts in aid of charities and groups that work to rehabilitate those affected by drug addiction and alcohol dependency. She also practices her Christian faith with her family in Dun Laoghaire. The church reaches out to young people affected by drugs and alcohol abuse. Source Wikipedia

Clyde in 1999 released his debut album Pure Inspiration. In 2012 teamed up with Jason Barney to write and produce the Christmas album Brighter Days Ahead, In 2013 a second Christmas album Glenn Beck Presents Believe Again

Oumou is a Grammy Award winning Malian Wassoulou musician from Bamako, Mali. In 1970 , aged just 2, she was brought up by her mother, Aminata Diakite. Her career 'began ’ at the age of 5 when she won an inter-kindergarten singing competition in Bamako, at the Omnisport Stadium, in front of an audience of several thousand. She left school at an early age and began singing in the streets to help her mother. Aged 16 she went on tour with the percussion group Djoliba to Europe and the Caribbean. Inspired by her reception on tour she established her own musical group. In 1990 recorded her first album* Moussoulou* (Women) with Amandou Ba Guindo - 200,000 copies sold. (in total recorded 8 albums -see Discography) She is considered an ambassador of Wassoulou. Her music has been inspired by the music and traditional dances of the area. Since 1990 she has performed at some on the most important venues in the world. Oumou . is an advocate for women’s rights, opposing child marriage and polygamy. In 2003 she was named ambassador for FAO. In 2022 she was cast in her first acting role. She does not want to become a politician While you’re an artist, you’re free to say what you think, when you are a politician you follow instructions from higher up. Oumon Sangare ,

Umm Kylthum and a B was an Egyptian singer, songwriter and film actress. She was active from the 1920s to the 1970s. In her native Egypt she is a national icon and has dubbed as The Voice of Egypt and Egypt’s** Fourth Pyramid. She was the daughter of an imam who performed religious songs at local weddings. Having heard her father practising one day she asked if she could join his small, all male group. She stood in when her brother fell ill before a public performance. Word soon spread about her enchanting voice and she received invites from near by villages- walking miles to reach the venue. Her early concerts were controversial - some members of the community disapproved of gatherings for entertainment. Her father, for her safety and reputation, suggested she wore a boy’s coat and a Bedouin headscarf. In the 1930s she moved to cosmopolitan Cairo where her reputation grew and grew. Umm had a very strong contralto voice, the lowest female voice, with a range of over 7 octaves, and she performed without a microphone. Her concerts lasted for hours. Audiences regularly requested encores of her favourite lines- she was known to improvise and never sang the same line exactly the same - she might change the scale or the emphasis ! For 40 years she broadcast a live concert on the last Thursday in the month. She recorded over 300 songs over her 60 year career. One of her best songs Enta Omn has been covered and reinterpreted numerous times. Umm embodied pan-Arab unity and her songs of love, longing and loss are still played in taxis, radios and cafes across the Arab world today. Sources Wikipedia *RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World * by Maliha Abidi

Baby Noor Jehan was her stage name(born Allah Rakhi Wasai) was a famous playback singer (one whose voice is played over actor’s lip-syncing) and an actress. She worked first for British India and then the cinema in Pakistan. She had command of Hindustani classical music as well as other genres. She recorded over 20,000 songs in different languages -Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi. She sang 2,442 songs in 1,148 films. She was awarded 15 Nigar awards and the national* Star of Excellence*. In 1951 she appeared as a main character in her first Pakistan film. She was also co-director with her husband - becoming Pakistan’s first female film director. Her career lasted over 50 years. 1965 saw the war of Pakistan with India. Her patriotic songs broadcast on the radio apparently had a profound effect on the morale of the Pakistani soldiers. Following the partition of India she moved her family to the new nation of Pakistan. Her presence in Pakistan shored up the entertainment industry in Lahore. Noor returned to India in 1982 where she was received by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sources Wikipedia RISE:Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

Negin is a female conductor leading the Zohra - the first all female orchastra in Afghanistan. Being a girl, under Taliban rule, she could never share her passion with her family. He first steps were in secret until she finally revealed her passion to her father who supported her… She was sent to an orphanage called the Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO). Aged 13 she was selected for the Afghanistan Institute for Music by musicologist Ahmad Naser Samast. Half the students are street kids or orphans. Talented and hard working she learned to play the lute-like robab and the piano. , She also studied singing before becoming a conductor. In 2017 they performed outside Afghanistan for the first time at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They have since been on tours to Switzerland and Germany. I will never accept defeat. I will continue to play music. I do not feel safe but when people say 'That is Negin Khpalwak ’ that gives me energy. Sources Wikipedia RISE:Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

Haydes Mercedes Sosa, sometimes known as* La Negra (The Black) because of her darker completion and dark hair, was popular throughout Latin America and many other countries outside the region. Her root in Argentina is Folk Music. She became one of the preeminent exponents of El Nuevo cancionero. With her first husband, Manuel Oscar Matus they were key players in the mid-60s. She gave her voice to songs written by many Latin American songwriters. Her voice made people hail her as the* voice of the voiceless ones.* After the military junta of Jorge Videl in 1976 she faced threats against her family. In 1979 after a concert in La Plata she was searched, arrested on stage along with her audience. She was released through international intervention. Banned in her own country she moved first to Paris then to Madrid. In 1982 she returned to Argentina from her exile in Europe In her lifetime she sang with performers across several genres and generations, folk, opera, pop and rock. ( See blue writing on page 3 of notes). She sang in the most prestigious buildings - Carnegie Hall and the Sistern Chapel to name just 2. She received 8 Latin Grammy awards ( 2 posthumously) Mercedes had a career which nearly spanned 6 decades. Aged 15, in 1950, she won a singing competition. In later years she suffered from recurrent endocrine and respiratory problems. She was still singing in 2009, the year she died, from multi organ failure. Her body was placed on display at the National Congress building in Buenos Aires for the public to pay their respects President Fermandez de Kirchner ordered 3 days of national mourning. Mercedes was cremated on 5th October. She lived her 74 years to the fullest She had done practically everything she wanted, she didn’t have any type of barrier or any fear that limited her * Fabian Matus - her son Sources Wikipedia Rise: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad, stage name Fairuz, is considered the musical icon of Lebanon and is popularly known as ‘the soul of Lebanon’. Aged 10 a musician, who taught at the Conservatory, heard her chorus singing when she was part of her school choir… He suggested she joined the Conservatory. She was successful. Her became 'active ’ when she was only 15 years of age. Her first breakthrough came when she was hired by Radio Lebanon as a chorus singer. She met the Rahbani brothers Assi and Mansour. The three became the Rahbani Trio. She married Assi when she was 20. Musical plays or operettas were the corner stone of the trio. Over 30 years they produced 25 popular musical plays (20 with Faituz). In 1975 the 15 rear civil war began. She made music lamenting the violence while refusing to take sides and did not perform in Lebanon during this time. She became a symbol of Lebanese unity and was loved by both sides. She is now in her late 80’s and continues to perform. She had won many awards worldwide. She continues to be an enigmatic, commanding presence on stage- the most listened to singer in the Arab world. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Doug Anderson USA Meredith Andrew USA Onos Ariyo Nigeria Paul Alan USA Yolanda Adams USA A little bit of information about the 5 of them from Wikipedia.

Margaret was an English teacher and missionary. She was both a teacher and a qualified nurse. She became a missionary in Singapore. . Her first missionary posting was to Shanton, in China in 1919. She learned the Shantou dialect in 2 years and started to work as a teacher at the Sok Tek Girls’ School. She later moved onto Singapore where she became principal of the Choon Goan School in 1934, raising the standard of the school so it became recognised as a secondary school She was also a skilled musician who organised the training of choirs and had fund raising concerts and charity events, plus picnics for children. In 1942 Singapore fell to the Japanese. She tried to escape by ship but was captured with other missionaries and sent to Sumatra where death from disease and malnutrition was common… She retained her* British Bulldog* spirit by arranging church services, hymn singing, writing classes and poetry sessions. With Norah Chambers they formed a camp choir but by 1945 half the members had died. The* Captives Hymn* (included), written by Margaret, was sung each Sunday. Margaret died from dysentery on 21st April 1945. The film Paradise Road, made in 1996, told the story of life in the camp.

Bree Runway born (bn) Brenda Wireko Mensah is a singer, rapper and songwriter of Ghanaian descent. In 2021 won Best New International Act at the BET awards. Dev Hynes,(bn) David Joseph Michael Hynes, also known as Blood Orange and fomerly as Lightspeed Champion, is a singer, songwriter,record producer and director.between 2004-6 he was a member of Test Icicles. Emeli Sande, bn.Adele Emily Sande, is a Scottish singer and songwriter. She performed at both the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic games in London. In 2017,for the fourth time, she won the Brit award for best British Female Solo artist. Awarded MBE in 2017 for her services to music. Nao Jessica Joshua is a singer-song-writer and record producer from East London. her sound is described as soul combined with electronic music -Wonky funk. Her latest album is* And Then Life Was Beautiful* Abdullah Afzal is an actor and comedian. He has appeared in films( Raamis & Finging FatimaH and television ( Lunch Monkeys, Citizen Khan & Celebrity master Chef). Shazia Mirza is a stand-up comedian, actress and writer.She is best known for her stand-up comedy The Kardashians Made Me Do It.

I have found further information on Wikipedia about 21 of the ‘lesser’ known musicians found in the book *Great Music Greats I have included Robert Leroy Johnson (1911-1938) because he is known as the father of the blues- the most important blue singer that ever lived - Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. In alphabetical order:- Chic - refined a relatively minimalistic disco sound - now called Nile Rodgers & Chic Donna Summer - birth name (bn) Ladonna Adrian Gaines Eric B. & Rakim - bns. Eric Barrier and William Michael Griffin Jr. - hip-hop duo Erykah Badu - singer, song writer, record producer and actress Fela Kuti - also known as Abami Eda - pioneer of Afrobeat Fugees - a hip hop trio Isaac Hayes - singer, songwriter, actor, composer and producer Lil Wayne - bn. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. rapper, record exec.& entrepreneur Miles Davis -trumpeter,band leader and composer - acclaimed figure in Jazz Missy Elliot -bn. Melissa Arnette Elliot -rapper,singer,songwriter& record producer Nicky Minaj- bn. Onika Tanta Maraj-Petty -animated rapper,singer & song writer Nina Simone -bn. Eunice Kathleen Waymon singer, musician, arranger & activist N.W.A. - abbrev, for Niggaz Wit Attitudes -one of the greatest hip hop groups Pharrell Williams - record producer, rapper, singer, entrepreneur -won 13 Grammies Public Enemy - hip hop group -gone through lineup changes over the years Robert Johnson - father of the blues Run-DMC or Run-D.M.C. - famous hip hop group in 1980s- read ‘FIRSTs’ Snoop Dogg -(briefly as Snoop Lion) - rapper, songwriter, media personality & actor The Last Poets -several groups of poets and musicians - start 1960s Black nationalism The Notorious B.I.G. - bn. Christopher George Latore Wallace - rapper & songwriter The Sugarhill Gang- hip hop trio- first rap single to become a top 40 hit Tupac Shakur- 2Pac, bn.Lesane Parish Crooks- rapper and actor

Introduction to modern, British born, Asian musicians. Jay Sean is a singer, songwriter , record producer and arranger. Koomz is a songwriter and rapper. M.I. A. is an Oscar and Grammy nominated rapper, singer, record producer and activist. Mumzy Stranger is rapper,singer, songwriter and record producer. Nish is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Raxstar is a rapper from Luton. Popular artist in DESI hip hop.

George Beverly Shea (1909-2013) was often called America’s beloved singer He lived to be 104 and spent nearly 60 years of those years singing and working with Bill Graham. He was born on 1st February 1909 in Winchester, Ontario, Canada. His first singing was in the choir of his father’s Wesleyan Methodist Church. He later sang with the Houghton (N.Y.) College Glee Club. He was educated at Annesley College in Ottawa (1926-8). and Houghton College. Houghton, N.Y. (1928-9). For the next 9 years he worked in a minor way in radio broadcasting (singing on WMCA and WHN), while working as a clerk of Mutual of New York insurance(1929-38). From 1938-44 he was an announcer and staff soloist at WMBI radio Chicago.He met Bllly Graham there in 1943. When Billy Graham took over the radio program Songs in the Night he remembered George and enlisted him to help with the broadcast. This was the beginning of a long association. In 1947 George went to sing at Charlotte, N.C., Billy’s hometown, at one of Billy’s first city wide Crusades. I have sometimes said that I would feel lost getting up to preach if Bev were not there to prepare the way through an appropriate song. Billy Graham. The famous 1949 Los Angeles tent meeting catapulted Billy and his associates to national attention. The team went onto share the Gospel on every continent. Bev with Cliff Barrows were the nucleus of the Crusade musical team. He was one of the busiest members of the team and he sung at hundreds of concerts. He was part of the team up until 2013. He was soloist on the Hour of Decision from 1950-2013. Singing weekly on this program for over 60 years his bass-baritone voice is recognised across the world. He used utilized all available media to share the ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ. He was prolific recording artist and composer for over 50 years (1951-2013)and had 70 albums of hymns and 9 CDs. He was the recipient of 10 Grammy awards. He is on 3 lists of Hall of Fame- Gospel Music Association (1978), Religious Broadcasting (1996) and Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (2008). He received many other awards and honours over the years. (See list of awards and honors). He never retired - all the dates go up to 2013 - the year he died. He died on Tuesday April 16th 2013 after a brief illness. Every hymn he sang was a testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Source Wikipedia

William Williams Pantycelyn (1717-1791) is generally seen as Wale’s premier hymnist. In religion he was among the leaders of the 18th century Welsh Methodist revival along with the evangelists Howell Harris and Duncan Rowland. He is also rated as one of the great literary figures of Wales, as a writer of poetry and prose. He was born on 11th February 1717 in the parish of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, Wales. His parents were John and Dorothy Williams. When John died in 1742 Dorothy moved to a farm called Pantycelyn ( William was often referred to by that name). His family were nonconformists. He was educated locally at the nonconformist academy in Talgarth, He had intended to study medicine but following conversion in 1937/8, after the preaching of the evangelical Methodist revivalist Howell Harris, he choose to preach. In 1740 he took deacon’s orders in the established Anglican Church ( now called Church in Wales). His first appointment was as curate to Theophilus Evans in Llanddewi Abergwesyn. By this time he had become involved with the Methodist movement and in June 1742 his disapproving parishioners reported him to the Archdeacon’s court at Brecon. In 1743, when he applied for ordination, he was refused. He became a Methodist minister instead. He travelled through Wales preaching the doctrine of Calvinistic Methodism. he needed to be not only a theologian and an advocate for the new era but also an organiser and administrator. His reward was seeing the community grow and thrive over the years. Runnng parallel to what was happening in Wales we have the Wesley brothers , John and Charles and George Whitefield. William wrote over 900 hymns in his lifetime, the majority in Welsh. He started publishing in 1744. The best known undoubtedly is *Guide me ,O Thou Great redeemer ** written originally in Welsh. ( See’Hymns’) His poetry included 2 long poems on theological and religious themes (See ‘Poetry) His prose include his writing about the 1762 revival. He never wrote either a diary or autobiography. A short 12 page biography ’ The Spiritual Treasury’ was written by Thomas Charles In 1867 J.R. Kilsby Jones wrote *All the poetic and Prose work of William Williams *-846 pages ! He is acknowledged as one of the leaders of the Methodist revival in Wales during the 18th century, For much of his life William stayed in Llanfair-at-y-brn. He died on the 11th January 1791, aged 74. He was buried in the local parish churchyard In 1811 The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists broke away from the Anglican Church. See separate TES entries for Daniel Rowland and Howell harris Source used Wikipdeia