Multiple award-winning ensemble Edison Sumner & Voices of Praise will celebrate their 30th anniversary in music and ministry during a live concert experience.
Some of the country's top gospel recording artists – Bishop Denczil Rolle & Friends, Davian Chase, Cara T. Newton, Necole Watson & Trinity City of Praise, Alia Coley and Oslien Jadorte will join them for the event scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at the Myles E. Munroe Diplomat Center at 6 p.m.
Pastor Mario Moxey, Bahamas Harvest Church; Bishop Walter Hanchell, Great Commission Ministries; and Bishop Lester Cox, Word of Truth Ministries International, where Sumner serves as minister of worship and fine arts, will also participate in the anniversary event.
Edison Sumner & Voices of Praise was formed in July 1992 while Sumner, the founder and leader, was directing the youth choir at Abundant Life Bible Church. He would go on to record and produce the choir's first album.
In February 1993, the late Edgar Williams, founder and CEO of Cedgar Sounds, promoted and produced the "Love 93" concert for the Gospel Impressions and invited Sumner to be the opening act. Sumner in turn invited members of his choir to form a group to perform at the concert.
He consulted with his wife Darleen and friends, Glen Clarke (VOP's first music director) and Adrian Edgecombe, along with Ayanna Cartwright, and it was decided to start an independent, non-denominational gospel ensemble and name it The Edison Sumner Chorale - a name under which they performed for several years before later deciding to change to Voices of Praise. That did not sit well with Williams who thought it was a mistake to change the name that had made the group popular. His advice was if the name was going to change, at least leave something familiar in the title, hence it was renamed Edison Sumner and Voices of Praise; the group at times is identified as VOP.
VOP is a dynamic independent gospel chorale whose purpose has always been about leading God's people in worship and bringing deliverance to people who are hurting. The group is among the leading gospel groups in the Caribbean and Sumner has been regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern Bahamian gospel music sound that made a significant contribution to an explosion of new music and artists, most especially in The Bahamas.
Edison Sumner & VOP were one of the first recipients of the Bahamas Gospel Music Marlin Awards in 1995, as well as one of the first recipients of the Bahamas Artistic Performers (BAP) Awards.
Edison Sumner & VOP, when it came out, revolutionized the sound of gospel music in The Bahamas at a time when people were looking for something different and fresh. They introduced a new sound, new visual concepts to their stage presence and a new level of ministry that was not all about performance, but about ministry with substance. They were able to set a high standard which allowed others to follow; they continue to maintain that standard to this day.
VOP has also mentored and developed other gospel groups within the country.
In addition to consistent songwriting, recording and rehearsals, VOP has traveled and perform in the United States and within The Bahamas with their unique brand of music and ministry.
Their future plans include expanding their ministry reach throughout the world.
Edison Sumner & VOP have recorded two live albums and one studio album since 1995: "If I Knew Then", "Joy Unspeakable" and "Dwell in our Worship".
VOP consists of Sumner and his wife, Marisha Humes, Earliee Coleby, Chanta Cleare, Nicol Edgecombe, Travis Edgecombe, Kendra Kelly, Sheldon Kelly, Danny Nixon, Nolan Rolle and JD Stewart.
Admission to the Edison Sumner & Voices of Praise 30th Anniversary Concert will be free. Patrons are encouraged to offer a love offering.
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