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Friday Night is Gospel Night - Diane-Louise Jordan presents a special show as part of Black History month on Radio 2 with special guests the London Community Gospel Choir and Mica Paris.

Prepare to be uplifted as the voices of the London Community Gospel Choir take to the Friday Night stage for an evening of gospel music.

Founded 35 years ago by the Reverend Bazil Meade, the choir is one of the foremost gospel ensembles today and have performed with the likes of George Michael, Liza Minnelli, Madonna, Will Young, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Kylie Minogue and Blur.

Gospel has its roots in the 17th century in America's southern states. African slaves joined together in hymns, sacred songs and spirituals - music to brighten, energise and bring strength to their community. The genre is characterised by strong dominant vocals often accompanied by hand clapping or foot stomping - joyous and powerful music. Tonight the choir sing a selection of gospel classics including Faith; Happy Are the People; Praise Worthy and Where Could I Go.

Alongside the LCGC tonight is soul songstress Mica Paris who joins the 成人论坛 Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe for two James Bond themes - Diamonds are Forever and Licence to Kill and then joins forces with the choir for a performance of How I Got Over - a gospel song associated with the great Mahalia Jackson.
The 成人论坛 Concert Orchestra play music by two black classical composers Samuel Coleridge Taylor and William Still Grant plus a performance of the Largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony - a work influenced by the songs and spirituals Dvorak heard during his stay in the United States in 1893.

Programme recorded at the Mermaid Theatre on 1st September 2016.