Gospel Jazz Saxophonist Todd Ledbetter Receives Nomination for the 1st Annual Gospel Blue M.I.C. Awards

 

 
(Washington, D.C.) – July 1, 2011 – Todd Ledbetter is a premiere saxophonist in the genre of Gospel Jazz who has been celebrated for his moving performances and amazing talent.  For over 20 years, the gifted musician has been performing and ministering, featuring his unique style of the sacred instrumental genre.  His latest project called Meditations: Hymns In The Key of Jazz has been receiving rave reviews (and national airplay) and getting the attention of the industry.  Todd recently received a nomination for the First Annual Gospel Blue M.I.C. Achievement Awards in the category of Instrumental Artist of the Year.   The Awards Ceremony is part of the 2nd Annual Independent Gospel Alliance Conference taking place Thursday, July 14 – Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Chesapeake, VA, with the Awards Ceremony happening at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA, at 9:00AM on Saturday, July 16th.
 
The First Annual Blue M.I.C. Awards is a breakfast ceremony which will honor those independent Gospel artists who have succeeded in Ministry, Industry, and Creativity.  The Gospel Blue M.I.C. Achievement Awards is based on merit and works, not popularity and is organized by Brothaonline.com and the Independent Gospel Artists Alliance.  A Blue Ribbon Panel has been selected to vote on nominees and winners.
 
Todd, who will be attending the event, is thrilled at the recognition.  “I’m honored to be nominated for The First Annual Gospel Blue M.I.C. Achievement Awards,” says Todd.  “It’s an exciting time to be an independent Gospel artist, and I hope more artists will get on board with this growing movement.”
 
The industry is loving Todd’s style and his unique merging of traditional jazz and inspirational music.  CrossRhythms.com says, “By stripping back his band to a sparse trio of piano, bass, and saxophone, with drums on two tracks, Washington, DC-based saxophonist Todd Ledbetter definitely gets a long way towards achieving his aim of creating ‘a musical tonic for the soul’.  With a warm, rounded tone which at times resembles the best work of Grover Washington, Jr., (a luminary with whom Todd has worked), the musical textures here remain evocative and never descend to the elevator music clichés of some pop jazz offerings.”
 
A true master of the instrument, Todd Ledbetter has worked with the crème of the crop including Grover Washington, Jr., James Moody, John Faddis, Eddie Harris, Ronnie Wells and Marcus Johnson.  He’s no stranger to gospel notables either having played with Bishop Walter Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, Byron Cage and Bryan Wilson.  “The Jazz Psalmist”, as he is known, has studied his craft at the University of Pittsburgh where he was tutored by Dr. Nathan Davis.  For more information about Todd Ledbetter, log on to