Over thirty artists and personalities, including Britain’s Got Talent (2013) finalists UPMass Gospel
Choir and award winning Reggae Blues artist Errol Linton, will converge into the heart of the City of
London at Holy Sepulchre The National Musicians Church from October 3rd – 5th 2019 for the
second annual Selah Music & Arts Festival.
Selah Music & Arts Festival organisers have invited the representative organisation for gospel
music, the GMIA (Gospel Music Industry Alliance) to organise a special line up that demonstrates
UK Gospel is not only influenced by its American counterparts but also reflects its Caribbean roots
particularly from the Windrush Generation; and this will be celebrated in light of UNESCO’s
recognition of Reggae Music on the list of Global Heritage art forms.
The festival activities opens with an array of Spoken Word & Poetry artists, headlined by award
winning performers Joshua Luke Smith and Jermaine Wong and includes a dramatised work. Friday
night displays the finalists of the JUMP Music Video Awards, hosted by radio presenter Loretta
Andrews with special guests Soul & Jazz Gospel Brunch Band from the famous 606 Club. An eclectic
variety of musical performances close out the Saturday Celebration night: Guests include classical
violinist Rogers Rochemont, BEFFTA award winning pianist Leon Dixon who will play the resident
Steinway piano; Bass-Baritone vocalist Patrick Bernard’s expressions of Paul Robeson, Rev Patrick
George and UPMass Choir’s inspirational sounds, Reggae Gospel artist Annette Bee who is making
Selah a special stop off during her #IAMFREE tour and the amazing internationally recognised Errol
Linton, working his magic harmonica by giving his original Brixtonian Reggae Blues a Gospel twist,
accompanied by the magnificent guitar work of Bluesman Adam Blake.
GMIA Executive Juliet Fletcher, leading the team states: “This is a great opportunity to showcase in
a different way a rich mix of talent to Selah Festival. UNESCO’s recent addition of Reggae Music to
the Global Heritage List, has created a new impetus to right the
imbalance of the factual stories that make up UK Gospel music’s roots –
which is based both in the Caribbean as well as the American sound.
Lew Jackson, Chair of the Holy Sepulchre Selah Committee added “We’re very excited about GMIA’s
involvement in this year’s SELAH FESTIVAL. The inspiration, quality and breadth of creative talent that the
GMIA are bringing to our festival will give something really special to any audience who appreciates great
music and arts. At the heart of the SELAH FESTIVAL is the desire to provide a platform in the City of London
for that human creativity that flows from our creator God. SELAH is an enigmatic word from the Psalms that
means PAUSE – STOP what you’re doing and focus on the divine. We want people to encounter something
different and inspirational as they stop, listen and participate in the SELAH FESTIVAL.”
1. SELAH FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & ARTS is organised by The Selah Festival Committee in
conjunction with GMIA Gospel Music Industry Alliance. For interviews with Juliet Fletcher
GMIA Chief Executive or for further information contact Email: info4gmia@gmail.com.
Twitter:@gmiauk. Facebook @GMIAUK.
2. For interviews with full list of artists found on the website at www.hsl.uk or
www.gmia.org.uk please contact 020 3086 8348 or mobile 07739 399026
3. For interviews with the Selah Festival organisers contact Lew Jackson: Email
jacksonlegal@btconnect.com. Tel: 079 6692 6984.
4. Tickets are available now via Eventbrite: https://selahfestival2019.eventbrite.co.uk,
Leveltickets.com and Jus-tickets.com or from various online and specialist retail outlets. See
websites for further detail
5. All the Festival activities take place at:
HOLY SEPULCHURE, 8 HOLBORN VIADUCT, LONDON EC1A 2DQ. Doors will open for
the evening events from 18:00hrs. Tickets £10 in advance and Concessions (Students & Senior
Citizens with proof) £5. Tickets available on the night for £12 (Thursday) and £15
(Friday/Saturday) at the door.
