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The NEWBERRY SINGERS were founded in 1954 by Philadelphia singer and pianist EDWIN NEWBERRY. The all-male gospel group experienced a quick rise tofame in local church programs. Through this exposure, their popularity continued to grow and they were invited to open for such renowned artists asMAHALIA JACKSON, the FAMOUS WARD SINGERS and MARY JOHNSON DAVIS.

Their unique style and close harmony, as well as their distinguished presentation, gave them the opportunity to travel with several other gospel greats, such as the DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS (who performed at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival), the REVEREND JAMES CLEVELAND, the WARD SINGERS and the RAYMOND RASBERRY SINGERS.

Through the years many fine singers were identified as NEWBERRYS: the REVEREND ISAAC DOUGLAS, New York's versatile musician CLINTON UTTERBACH, HAROLD JOHNSON who left to sing with the ROBERTA MARTIN SINGERS, ROMANCE WATSON, and many others.

The group toured USA for 16 years until family obligations interfered with the demands for performances and the group temporarily disbanded. It was not reunited until 1994 when original members EDWIN NEWBERRY, BERNARD PINDER and JASPER "DEAN" FITZGERALD joined forces again and added the youngest member, RODNEY HARRIS and pianist STANLEY McNISH. A new singer, PAUL KENNEDY, was invited to join the group in 1997.

Their CD entitled "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" appeared in Spring 1998. Recorded live at the Ford Memorial Church in Philadelphia, is includes three titles by the famous STARS OF FAITH who performed during the first part of this memorable event.

While a lot of groups adopted a more contemporary style, the NEWBERRY SINGERS committed themselves to preserving the traditional gospel sound. Their repertoire mainly consists of music written for them or by them and they were always considered as a versatile group in that each member was comfortable singing lead or background.

The NEWBERRY SINGERS performed for the first time in Europe at the 1997 BERN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. Later in the year they gave four concerts in Barcelona and in December, appeared at the MADRID and SANTANDER FESTIVALS.

>In 1998, they were invited at the PARIS INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL AND NEGRO SPIRITUALS FESTIVAL, CULLY-LAVAUX JAZZ FESTIVAL, JAZZ INMARCIAC and at the 9th COSTA BRAVA JAZZ FESTIVAL. Their first major European tour at the end of 1998 took them to 39 various cities and was a tremendous success: "charism, wonderful perfection, prodigious talent, great communion with the audience"... to quote just a few words of praise found in press reviews.

After the death of Edwin Newberry, in early 1999, the group members decided to keep the name NEWBERRY in memory of their former director and friend.

The NEWBERRY SINGERS performed in Barcelona at the famous Palau de la Musica and, at the end of 1999 and 2002, did two long tours which took them to France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain, where they were acclaimed in some of the most prestigious theaters and concert halls.

The present group features BERNARD PINDER, JASPER FITZGERALD, RODNEY HARRIS, PAUL KENNEDY, and EDWARD MAJORS. They are accompanied at the piano by REGINALD CARTER.

Nowadays, male gospel groups - who are distinctively different from the numerous male "quartets" like the MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY or the SENSATIONAL NIGHTINGALES - have become rare... The NEWBERRY SINGERS are one of the most sought after of all.