Featured photo: Antwain Alexander sings to a full house. Photos by L. M. Land.
Written by Tanya Terry
The 2nd Annual Legacy of Grace Mother’s Day concert was a joyous gift from Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church to the Flint community, featuring an array of talented local and national music artists.
Vanessa Bell Armstong, one of the featured artists, has performed at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, at the Apollo Theatre, in China and Japan and in venues around the world.
Vanessa Bell Armstong, who lived in Flint at one time, performed for the second time at Grace Emmanuel May 10.
“The energy was incredible,” stated Armstrong. “I think because I’ve been out here so long, God gave me a wonderful platform! I’ve got a lot of different songs that people like.”
Armstrong pointed out people also look forward to her being a comedian on the stage.
Her new album “Today” will be released June 21.
“It’s been 14 years coming,” said Armstrong. “That’s how long I’ve rested. This album is an up-tempo, just kind of get happy, kind of cheer you up album. You shouldn’t have no worries, no problems. We have some on there like a Louisiana Blues thing. You can dance. Then, we have praise and worship…I think it’s going to blow their minds,” said Armstrong.
Armstong also told the Courier she has 14 grandkids and all of them can sing! Some of them were in the balcony at the Grace Emmanuel show. She said they have plans of singing together one day.
At the concert , Jacques Holbrook and his daughter, 21-year-old Corrina Holbrook , sang a duet as part of the Voices of Grace Emmanuel Choir.
Corrina Holbrook said getting to “show off that generational talent and generational praise” was a “really high honor” for her that “very few things will be able to rival.”
“Leading with my dad is great because we have that balance,” explained Corrina Holbrook.
She said she got the lead to the song months in advance, but Elder Rudolph Stanfield asked her dad to lead with her two weeks before the show.
“It’s not the first time. I’ve led with my dad before, but it was a blast for this concert,” stated Corrina Holbrook. “Getting to bounce back and forth, it seems so natural, no matter where we’re at. I think it highlights the years we’ve sung together from choir to sitting in the car with the radio with songs on the way to church on Sunday.”
Corrina Holbrook has been singing for Grace Emmanuel since age 10 and has been directing for the choir since about age 14. Corrina Holbrook, who attended Grand Blanc High School, has also sang for her middle school and high school choirs. She was also in their a cappella group: Unaccompanied Minors. She told the Courier she thoroughly enjoyed singing at their Christmas festival near downtown Grand Blanc, and she said her chorale group has been to both district and state festivals throughout Michigan. Her grandmother also taught her how to play the piano.
Jacques Holbrook’s dad started his own church, Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, which he pastored for many years at until his death. So, Jacques Holbrook previously sang at Mt. Hebron. To him, singing at each of the churches was unique in its own way.
Jacques Holbrook feels what makes Voices of Grace unique is the choir’s organization and professionalism. He applauded the church’s worship leader, Elder Rudolph Stanfield, for bringing his “flavor” to the choir and the church, which has caused them to grow. Stanfield is a Stellar-winning and Grammy-nominated artist who has produced, co-produced, written, arranged and appeared on more than 150 gospel albums.
“We have the ability to give something to the community – something to say we’re not even charging you for it,” Jacques Holbrook said of the recent Grace Emmanuel musical event.
Holbrook added: “To watch the Holy Spirit move and see people crying and praising Him, lifting their hands. That’s what church is all about.”
