001.1990.010

Sat Apr 28 1990

35:38 - Audio Cassette Master; WAV and Mp3 on Server and Cloud

00:00 Allison introduces Samuel Berfect making peaceful gospel music for the past 21 years; leader of the group “The Dimensions of Faith”; Sam was born and raised in New Orleans in the Carrollton area; uptown New Orleans; involved in Church music all his life; started playing piano at 3 years old; his mother died 6 months after Sam was born 03:17 His father and grandmother sent Sam to a private tutor named Jessie Wagner Chris; he studied with her for 21 years; he played in the junior high school Alfred C. Priestly band; in the senior high school concert and marching and choir bands. 04:47 Sam taught himself how to play the organ at 6 years old and played regularly in church; went to a National Baptist Convention of America where he found an organ; Pastor in New Orleans put him on for an instrumental solo and he was a backup for the regular musicians 06:24 At 7 and a half years old Sam started playing for the little junior choir at the Progressive Baptist Church 1214 South Robinson Street; learned to direct choirs; primarily plays piano and organ; Good gospel musicians are hard to find for Sam in New Orleans; Bessie Griffin and Mahalia Jackson and Sam traveled through Europe and played music together; traveled everywhere and played Negro Spirituals 09:45 Demonstration “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”; Negro Spiritual Medley 16:02 Talks about his group Dimensions of Faith; formed 10 years ago; meet at Second Progressive Baptist Church in New Orleans; 45 members ranging from ages 15-60 years old; talks about the choir touring and practicing around the country; talk about Reverend Cleveland’s Gospel Choir Convention; 1200-1500 voices singing together by the end of the convention; songwriters, etc. 21:17 Talks about his involvement with Jazz Festival since the beginning; rented out his B3 Hammond organ for the Gospel Stage at the Jazz Festival; Allen B Choral Ensemble was the choir he sang with then 22:45 Talks about his recently completed album; produced locally in New Orleans on Sam’s Label “Truth Records” 23:26 Demonstration: “I’m Changed” 27:30 Talk about his singing ability 28:30 Demonstration: “Oh Happy Day” (with audience participation) 32:22 Demonstration: “That’s the Way God Planned It” 35:38 Interview ends

Allison Miner interviewer. This item is part of the “Crescent City Living Legends Collection” that was admitted to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2002.

sound recording

Copyrights are retained by the participants.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive