By Alexis Clark
From Black spiritual to contemporary, musical experts say Tennessee State Universityās Aristocrat of BandsĀ anticipated gospel album is a conceptual journey of faith that embodies the evolution of gospel music told through the lenses of an HBCU band.
Titled āThe Urban Hymnal,ā the album has 10 tracks filled with organic sounds that were created in the Land of Golden Sunshine. The history-making album features trailblazers within the gospel music industry.
When Dr. Reginald McDonald was promoted to Director of Bands in 2015, he was told by his predecessor to dream big for the bandās legacy,Ā to ensure a high level of national prominence, and to be known as one of the top bands in the country.
AOBās most recent main stage accomplishment was performing at theĀ 2022 Essence Festival of CultureĀ in New Orleans, sponsored by a partnership with McDonalds, highlighting African American culture.
āAnd as a result of that performance, so many mega artists within the gospel community have now asked to be a part of the project,ā McDonald said.
It is executively produced by AOB assistant director professor Larry Jenkins, Grammy award-winning songwriter and artist Dallas Austin, two-time Grammy award-nominated songwriter and artist Sir the Baptist, and platinum recording artist, TSU alum Dubba-AA.
The album is in the final stages of production and will include features from music moguls and acclaimed artist such as Jekalyn Carr, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, John P. Kee, Louis York, Dubba-AA, Sir the Baptist, Prof. Jenkins, Take 6, Mali Music, and more.
āFor me to be the band director of Tennessee State is nothing short of divine intervention. This album can do something to solidify the branding of not just the band, but the university for decades,ā McDonald said.
āThis will be the first (album) from us, it wonāt be our last.ā He said he is grateful to have the ability to transition students, āfrom dreams to reality.ā
TSU senior Arianna Scott, said she wasnāt sure about playing the piccolo in high school, but historic moments like being a part of the album made her instrumental journey worth her while.
āAll this legacy that we have ā¦ a gospel album is huge for us,ā Scott said, describing how excited she was to hear herself playing the piccolo on the recorded album.
To add this milestone onto AOBās lengthy list of accomplishments over the years, professor Jenkins, who also contributed to composing the album, said this is yet another first for the band, putting them in position to lead the way for bands all over the world.
āAll the opportunity that comes from this ā¦ getting credit on an album that we need to get a Grammy for, thatās what really makes me feel good about it.ā Jenkins has hopes of the album receiving a Grammy in the gospel roots category next year.
āIt feels amazing to be a part of something so unique, so progressive,ā he said, noting that the process of creating the album is a family affair for AOB and the university.
TSU alum Dubba-AA, couldnāt agree more.
āThis band program isnāt just a program ā¦ this is my family,ā he said. āIt (the album) is going to make you want to get closer to God. This album will touch souls.ā He said he is honored to be a part of the project, working besides trailblazers in the music industry, and ādoing things that no one has done on an HBCU scale.ā
Sir the Baptist, who received an honorary degree at TSU last spring alongside Dallas Austin, said the album is a game changer.
āWe will bring back to life some of the hymnals, but in an urban way,ā he said. āTo have support from so many people and brands, it means a lot and shows us that we are on the right track. āThis is really going to change culture.ā
The album is set to be released no later than mid- September and will be available on every major platform.
