Reverend Timothy Wright

JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, is a celebration! It is a celebration of the long, storied and significant musical career of Reverend Timothy Wright. And, it is, above all, a celebration to the Giver of this wonderful career—JESUS. It commemorates Wright’s forty years in music a—feat rarely accomplished in any genre—and this landmark occasion conclusively proves Wright has earned his moniker of “Godfather of Gospel Music.” His work is always considered ‘Sunday-morning ready’—which is accentuated by its diverse range of traditional and contemporary Gospel music—and JESUS, JESUS, JESUS carries on this heritage of expressive and exceptional choir music.The word godfather is defined as a person who is regarded as the originator or principal shaper of a movement. Wright, as ‘Godfather of Gospel Music,’ has most certainly shaped what we know as the quintessential choir sound. For most of his life, Wright has been involved with choirs and music ministry. Since his very early years at St. John’s Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God, through his time at Washington Temple C.O.G.I.C. and his association with the NY Community Choir to his most recent New York Fellowship Mass Choir, Wright continues to evolve.“I certainly never asked for that name,” explained Wright. “Bishop Sam Williams and Bishop Albert Jamison of the Gospel Music Workshop of America said it seemed that I was always helping people, and that I tried to be there for others in the industry They just dubbed me the “Godfather” and it stuck.” Yet, Wright is indeed the godfather of soul-saving having touched countless lives throughout the years with memorable recordings including WHO’S ON THE LORD’S SIDE, DO YOU KNOW THE LIGHT, WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT, and COME THOU ALMIGHTY KING. It is that very purpose that JESUS, JESUS, JESUS carries on.“We built the live recording (which took place in June 2006 at Zion Cathedral COGIC in Freeport, NY) around the celebration of my 40 years in music,” said Wright. “We had a host of industry people and artists come out and share the celebration with us. It was a great chance to revisit some of my older songs from the 70’s and 80’s as well as introduce new material.”The title cut, the ever powerful “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” is a reflective, story-telling song that was born out of one of the nation’s recent tragedies—Hurricane Katrina. Written by Wright’s wife almost immediately after the hurricane hit, it is a touching, simple song that reminds listeners there is but one name that can save, heal and deliver and that name is Jesus. “Given today’s time and all the terrible things going on, it has become a very popular song,” said Wright. “I was inspired to tell the story based on the constant news and footage I was seeing As I watched, bits and pieces of the story came to me. Watching the many faces in the Superdome, I wanted to tell the stories of all those people.” This song speaks to all people who perhaps have had personal hurricanes and tragedies in their own lives. While we are in our darkest moments, it is the name of Jesus that we can always call upon.Brimming with tried and true choir classics, Wright includes his past hits “Count Your Blessings” and the memorable and old-school-flavored re-do of “Come In At The Door”—a sure-fire way to get anyone out of their seat, dancing and clapping along. Also proving that Wright still has new songs under his belt and a keen knowledge of Sunday-morning sounds, he offers “The Best Thing”—a contemporary, rousing and timeless choir jam, with the prevalent call and response and modulation that is radio-friendly and choir-ready—as well as “New Life” and “Pressing My Way”—both, wholly feel-good and revitalizing songs, that are definitively church.“I can write any style of music,” Wright says. “Songs like ‘The Best Thing’ show my more contemporary style and working with my two sons helps me move in that area. I consider myself a traditional artist with a contemporary flavor … but you can definitely call my sound Sunday-Morning church … you can always sing my songs on Sunday morning in any venue.”Featured on the project is the incomparable Rance Allen, who guests on the powerful “Supply My Needs” along with local vocalist and songwriter Deon Kipping. “Rance just electrified the place,” recalled Wright. “And in keeping with the theme of the album, I hope this song and the album is a source of encouragement … A reminder that He does indeed supply all our needs and that God is real … He is alive and well.” Another guaranteed show-stopper is the declarative and celebratory “Enter His Gates”—a song that Wright describes as a “rallying cry for the saints to enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving.”JESUS, JESUS, JESUS features Wright backed by the New York Fellowship Choir. A mega-group comprised of vocalists from around the tri-state area. The New York Fellowship Choir first came together on Wright’s 1993 release COME THOU ALMIGHTY KING. In 2003, after the recording of the song “For The Rest Of My Life,” Wright decided to keep the choir together full time. Under his direction, the choir offers this collection of songs that truly allow the listener to appreciate the impact powerful and passionate vocals can have on the worship atmosphere.Reflecting on his 40-years in music, Wright simply says “God has been good and kind to me … I just continue to be actively involved both as a singer and as a preacher. I also try to keep in touch with what is going on in Gospel … I tell artists all the time when they inspire me and it makes me feel proud when someone let’s me know that I’ve inspired them.” Wright is currently the pastor and founder of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center COGIC in Brooklyn, NY and continues to be involved in every aspect of music ministry and the legacy is being extended through his sons. JESUS, JESUS, JESUS was produced with them and gives Wright his sustaining power in this ever changing music field. Without question, Wright remains a serious influence on today’s current gospel music scene. JESUS, JESUS, JESUS carries forward what Wright started in the late 60’s as a young budding piano player to being one of today’s consummate choir leaders.