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Victor Simonson to Perform at First African American Baptist Church in Atlanta

The Color Purple Associate Conductor Victor Simonson scheduled to appear at Atlanta historic landmark founded by Slaves.

(Billboard Publicity Wire) July 18, 2008 -- Feeling the spirit and love for legacy is easy for native New Yorker, Victor Simonson, who shares his musical talent with noted congregations throughout the United States while on national tour with Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple. His scheduled visit to the gate city of the south includes one of Atlanta's most historic landmarks, Friendship Baptist Church, 437 Mitchell St SW. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 10:00 am appearance takes place on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

"It is an honor for me to play on instruments held up by such a legacy," stated Simonson, who comes from a family of musicians. His own legacy includes a great grandfather who traveled throughout the islands performing and preaching, an aunt who is a popular jazz artist, and a younger sister, a soprano with Washington National Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera. He is thrilled to be able to minister to the Atlanta church family originally founded by former Georgia slaves.

Simonson is best known for and has defined himself as a multi-genre musician, as Music Director for Three Mo' Tenors, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and Three Mo' Divas, popularized in Washington, DC, for which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical Direction. Friendship's congregants will hear "Another Chance"; one of Simonson's featured songs on his newly released CD, "Victory! Introducing Victor Simonson", which debuted in New York several months ago.

The pianist, composer, and baritone has also worked with soprano Denyce Graves, (classical), Donnie McClurkin (gospel), and Kim Thompson (jazz- Beyonce's drummer), as well as Fantasia and Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child).

People may contact the church for directions or visit Simonson's website at victorsimonson.com. They will also have an opportunity to meet the Associate Conductor immediately following the service, before he leaves the pews of history and heads back to take his place in the pit of The Color Purple at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for the afternoon matinee.

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