Don Corey Washington (Psalmist/Musician) is a native of Detroit, Michigan where he began his earliest musical training in the church. In 1981, Don moved to the Big Apple to pursue a career in music. He also began singing at open mike sessions and quickly earned a role in an off-Broadway production, Soulfusion, produced by the National Black Theatre. Don’s first solo performance was at Harlem’s famous jazz spot, the renowned Smalls Paradise Lounge. Later, he took his one-man cabaret, “An Evening In Jazz,†to Greenwich Village’s Horn Of Plenty, and teamed up with good friends John James and the late David Cole of C & C Music Factory to form an act called “The Boys.†Don also got a part in the hit gospel musical-drama, Mama, I Want To Sing, which he performed both in New York and the national touring company. He has performed in other theatrical productions, such as Woodie King’s, “God Trombones†and “I Have A Dream.†Most recently, he has done Encore Production’s, “Mahalia: A Gospel Story.â€
Don, now a resident of Orange, New Jersey, continues to attend the Bethlehem Community Church, East Orange, New Jersey where he is the chief musician, psalmist, and a praise leader. He travels extensively throughout the eastern Caribbean islands with his pastor, Bishop Leo C. Smith, Jr. serving as conference music minister and soloist for the Eastern Caribbean Council of Nations which is the 36th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. So far Don has traveled to St. Thomas, St. Croix, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana and Trinidad ministering under ECCN. Among the artists with whom he has performed are Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Donald Lawrence, Shirley Caesar, Vicki Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Queen Latifah, and Michael Bolton. He has also been featured on a number of recordings including The C.D. Hawkins Singers (Word/Epic 1996) titled A Mighty Fortress and Live Praise From Antigua (Tyscot Records 1998). His vocals can be found on Philip Bailey’s most recent recording Soul On Jazz. He is a studio session singer and a writer of songs. He has had the honor of collaborating with the renowned Skip Scarbrough. He’s also featured as a soloist and keyboard player on Ray Charles’ last recorded dvd 2004’s release of Christmas With Ray Charles and The Voices of Jubilation. Don is currently at work on his first solo recording, “Be Encouraged." Don can be heard on the radio in the NY/NJ area every Weds. during the wee hours of the morning on Gospel Jazzations, 89.1FM from 1:15am - 6am. The show can also be accessed through the website at www.wfdu.fm.
"I give honor to God for the person who took time to mentor me and who is the very foundation of my musicianship--the great man of God, Herman Harris of Detroit, Michigan. Thank you so much!"
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