The Tutors

Brighton Goes Gospel is very privileged to work with two of the most experienced Gospel tutors and performers in the country.

Karen Gibson, Choir Director

As one of the country's most noted and experienced gospel tutors and facilitators, Karen Gibson has been involved with vocal groups, soloists and choirs for over 20 years. She has conducted gospel workshops all over the UK, Europe, Africa and USA. Workshop delegates have numbered anywhere between 20 – 1000. Amongst other projects, Karen has been instrumental in drawing together and conducting some of the most prestigious large-scale choirs for a variety of gospel and community initiatives. In addition, Karen runs two gospel choirs - the award-winning Kingdom Choir (www.kingdomchoir.co.uk) and UPC, a vibrant youth choir. The Kingdom Choir has been one of the most sought after choirs for radio and television work including the BBC's 'Songs of Praise' and has performed with and for many celebrities and dignitaries including Elton John, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Bill Clinton. Their debut album, 'Smile, it's a Brand New Day' is available from Europe's largest gospel record label, Integrity Music Europe. In addition, Karen runs her own one-day gospel workshops, ‘The Joys of Noise’, held at the National Opera Studios in London.

For more, visit: www.gospelmatters.com or email enquiries@gospelmatters.com.

 

Jason Thompson, Musical Director

A gifted pianist who has been playing for 26 years. His other talents include composing, arranging, choir directing, piano tutoring, vocal tutoring, session singing and workshop leading. He currently teaches in two schools as well as running his own music school called the 'Jazz That' Music School. The school will be available for online lessons from December 2008.

Jason has been teaching the piano for over 16 years. He has 100% pass rate for students entered under the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Due to his 100% pass rate in over 16 years, statistically he is in the top 5 teachers of piano in the United Kingdom. This is according to figures from the ABRSM.

Founded by Jason Thompson, the JT Band has performed all over the country at concerts, conferences, weddings, art galleries ... Able to spice up their sound to the needs of their audiences, the JT Band can play anything from dinner jazz to jazz funk, eighties soul to gospel. For more, visit: myspace.com/jayteeband

His international performances have taken him to places afar a field as France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain, Prague, Italy, Poland, Norway, Ukraine, Hungary, Japan, America, St Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica and Ghana.

He was the Musical Director for the national tour of the theatre show 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar And Grill' A show about the life of Billie Holiday. Jason was also the Musical Director for the theatre show Simply Heavenly, which showed at Trafalgar Studios in London's West End.

Jason has been the Musical Director and accompanist for top UK Gospel artistes such as, Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir, Bazil Meade and the London Community Gospel Choir, Sianni, Noel Robinson and Nu Image, Mark Beswick and Power Praise and the GMTV award-winners Blessed Voices and Raymond and Co. He has also accompanied or performed with Liberty X, Corrine Bailey-Rae, Nate James, Shaun Escoffery, Don E, Kelly Le Roc, Carol Thompson, Janet Kay, Caron Wheeler, Rhianne Benson, Patti Boulaye, Sir Cliff Richard, Incognito, Womack and Womack, Ashford and Simpson, Isley Brothers, Gwen Dickey of Rose Royce and is currently the Musical Director for Ruby Turner.