REJOICE & SHOUT

REJOICE AND SHOUT traces the evolution of gospel through its many musical styles the spirituals and early hymns, the four-part harmony-based quartets, the integration of blues and swing, the emergence of soul, and the blending of rap and hip hop elements. Gospel music also walked in step with the story of African-American culture - slavery, hardscrabble rural existence and plantation work, the exodus to major cities, the Depression, World War II, civil rights and empowerment. REJOICE AND SHOUT connects the history of African-American culture with gospel as it first impacted popular culture at large. Featuring interviews from some of gospel music's giants including Smokey Robinson and Mavis Staples and rare footage of performances from gospel's most notable singers, including Mahalia Jackson, the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Staple Singers.