THE SOJOURNERS
www.thesojourners.ca

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. When Canadian blues icon Jim Byrnes called Vancouver based gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone a few years ago to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some back up vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next.

From the moment Mosely and his pals, Will Sanders and Ron Small stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on. When Byrnes dubbed the trio The Sojourners the name stuck and – as they say – the rest is history.

Formative years spent singing in the churches of Mosely, Small and Sanders’, hometowns – Ralls, Texas; Chicago, Illinois and Alexandria, Louisiana respectively – give The Sojourners’ sound an authentic edge that only comes with experience. This is real gospel - blessed with a soul that can’t be faked.

While it wouldn’t exactly be right to call The Sojourners a new act – given that each member of the group has been in the music business for around fifty years - the sound, energy and commitment they conjure any time they get together would be the envy of singers half their ages.

Hot on the tail of their session with Byrnes, the Sojourners went into the studio with roots music whiz Steve Dawson to record Hold On, their first solo album in 2007. Two years and many sessions later, Mosely, Small and Sanders have taken all they’ve learned in between and returned to record a second CD simply entitled The Sojourners.

No longer the new kids on the block, the trio had definite ideas of how they wanted their follow up record to sound, and one listen through the songs they’ve captured here shows that they’ve succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. Working again with Dawson as producer, The Sojourners have recreated a classic gospel sound this time around.

This is not music that strives to be polite. In The Sojourners’ universe, echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today’s world.

This is gospel music that can take a punch and remain standing. Singing praise music with their own special ‘stank’, the Vancouver based Sojourners sound just as at home in a road house bar as they do in a revival tent.

Never has travelling the hard road between sin, loss and redemption sounded as glorious as it does on these eleven timeless recordings. Listening to these seasoned vocalists breathe new life into classic tunes is as transcendent an introduction to gospel as anyone could ever hope for. To hear all three singers’ distinct vocals meet at the crossroads is to experience the signature Sojourners sound as different gospel traditions come together and blend mellifluously as one.The recording is nominated for a Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year.

Highlights of the group’s time together include a definitive show with the Dixie Hummingbirds, opening spots with Jim Byrnes at the Vancouver Jazz Festival for both Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama and featured stages at most of the major Canadian folk and roots festivals.

‘Eyes on the Prize’ from Hold On was selected for inclusion in Let Freedom Sing, a Time-Life compilation box set celebrating the music of the American civil rights era. The Sojourners were also pleased to participate in both the CD and DVD of the award-winning Things About Coming My Way: A Tribute to the music of the Mississippi Sheiks.

The newest addition to the ensemble is the talented young singer Khari McClelland.

They receive a steady stream of invitations to contribute to the recordings and live performances of a diverse range of artists, spanning several genres, from the outer reaches of jazz to beat box / street poetry. Marcus, Will and Ron all became Canadian citizens in the summer of 2008 and were invited to perform on Parliament Hill on Canada Day, where they sang the national anthem.

The Sojourners are a rock solid unit and proof positive that faith can move mountains. But, don’t let that scare you away. Sinner or saved - wherever you are on your own personal journey, you should listen to The Sojourners. You’ll feel better for it.

Marcus Mosely
Marcus was born in a small town in the Texas panhandle, called Ralls. Marcus soon discovered that he carried around a well of music in his soul. Over the past 54 years, Marcus has found himself drawing from the well in many places around the world. He has sung throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the South Pacific, owing to 10 years of service as a missionary. He began recording back in 1975 with a folk gospel group called ‘The Family’. Just before Expo 86, Marcus made Vancouver his home. Since then, he has starred in various highly successful stage productions such as ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘Black and Gold Revue’ and ‘Show Boat’. Marcus has toured Canada giving concerts and conducting gospel choral workshops.

Will Sanders
Through his childhood, in Alexandria, Louisiana, Will sang in choirs, ensembles, and even played in the school band. But his heart was always drawn to singing gospel. In his first time out he won a starring role in the Arts Club production of Ann Mortifee’s tour de force, ‘When the Rains Come’. He was nominated for a Jessie Richardson Award for Best Performance in a Musical that year (1994). He also went on to star in the Arts Club’s ‘Five Guys Named Moe’. Over the years, Will has sung with a number of Vancouver based Gospel ensembles: ‘Circle Of Voices’, ‘Cloud Nine’ and ‘The Gospel Experience’.

Khari McClelland
Khari was born and raised on the streets of Detroit. He picked up his first instrument, the trumpet, at the age of nine, and sang throughout his early years. Khari came to Vancouver seven years ago and almost immediately started performing and making inroads into the Vancouver music scene. Vancouver’s strong roots music community and his early influences, ranging from Motown to hip-hop, have combined to form a dynamic performer. In 2007, Khari formed an acapella gospel quartet, Cornerstone, with Frazey Ford, Ora Cogan, and Matt Anderson. Cornerstone was well-received and played major festivals and local venues alike. Khari met The Sojourners at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. That fortuitous event led to him becoming a permanent member of the group.

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