Topically Yours - Gospel singer, conductor and musician, James Hall

Deardra Shuler talks with James Hall, the singer, director, and composer who has worked with artists like Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blidge, Faith Evans, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin, et al.

Hall is best known for killer vibratos and twister harmonies found in the best of today’s gospel music. Its no wonder choirs all across the nation duplicate his music. 

A native of Brooklyn, NY, James is the youngest of 7 children.  His mother, Lula Mae Hall was the first to nurture his keen musical talent as a singer and musician. She enrolled him in classical training at five and encouraged his singing voice which projected a striing soprano range. James attended James Madison High School. He was appointed director of the James Madison Gospel Chorus (JMGC) where he honed his natural abilities to conduct and perform. 

In 1987 he founded Worship & Praise, (WAP) his own gospel singing ensemble. In 1992, the opportunity to perform a five minute spot on TV’s Bobby Jones Gospel came.  It was just the break they had been looking for, as earlier that year WAP recorded their first project on the Tehilah Records label. Later landing a major record deal with Intersound.  Their debut album on Intersound “God is in Control” soared to the top ten on the billboard charts.  "King of Glory," followed as did several LIVE albums.  His newest CD is KING WAP New Era.