On the heels of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month, the historic Town Hall honored Grammy award-winning singer Faith Evans with a musical tribute celebrating 30 years in music.
The concert line-up included Grammy Award-nominated recording artists Kim Burrell, Durand Bernarr, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, and B.Slade, along with Faith’s daughter, Chyna Tahjere, Ayana George Jackson, Linny Smith, Matia Celeste Washington, Chenee Campbell, Anitra McKinney, Susu Montgomery.
The event featured a two-song performance by Faith Evans, under the musical direction of multi-genre composer Damien Sneed, along with his critically-acclaimed Orchestra of Tomorrow. Singer-songwriter, dancer and actor Avery Wilson also made a surprise guest appearance.
The concert lineup saw vocalist Ayana George Jackson belt out “No Other Love” and “Never Gonna Let You Go,” Anitra McKinney perform “Ain’t Nobody” and “Tears Away,” and Matia Celeste Washington lead a rendition of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and Evans’ radio hit “Burnin’ Up.”
Special performances of the night included the Orchestra of Tomorrow performing Evans’ interlude track, “Thank You Lord,” which was shared online, and Tahjere singing her mom’s “Caramel Kisses.”
After the extraordinary musical tribute, Faith joined the talent onstage and was filled with a range of emotions. She performed the last two songs, “Soon As I Get Home,” and was joined by guest artist, the uber-talented vocalist, Avery Wilson, who took the song to another level.
The finale performance was one of her signature songs, “Again.”
Following her performance, there were several presentations made to Faith Evans from the City of Newark, New Jersey by Councilwoman-At-Large, Reverend Louise Scott-Rountree including a Proclamation from Mayor Ras Baraka, a Resolution from the Newark Municipal Council, a Letter from Councilwoman Rountree and a Medal from the City of Newark, New Jersey.
Albums
This year marks the 30th anniversary of her debut album, Faith (1995). The songwriter, arranger, and record producer is the artistic force behind her nine studio albums: Keep The Faith (1998), Faithfully (2001), The First Lady (2005), A Faithful Christmas (2005), Something About Faith (2010), Incomparable (2014) The King & I (2017), her duets album with her late husband, The Notorious B.I.G., and her one compilation album, R&B Divas, featuring Faith, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah Carter, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kelly Price and Fantasia, from the hit reality series of the same title.