The Greater St. Stephens Choir reunites for live recording

By Ryan Whirty
Contributing Writer

New Orleans’ rich gospel tradition comes home next week, when Greater St. Stephen Ministries hosts an event that organizers and participants believe will be one of the greatest moments in the history of local, sacred music.

On July 7, the Greater St. Stephen Reunion Choir will be recorded live for posterity in a concert performance that brings together dozens of the choir’s members, past and present, with a team of gospel music vocalists and producers that reads like a who’s who of modern gospel greats.

Topping the bill will be renowned preacher, singer and gospel trailblazer and luminary Bishop Paul S. Morton, who for decades has led the way in African-American sacred music, and who will coincidentally also be celebrating his 75th birthday.

The performance, which is free and open to the public and is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Greater St. Stephen (5600 Read Blvd.) in New Orleans, will be executive produced by Pastor Jerry G. Parries, president of Tehillah Music Group, a leading gospel record label.

Greater St. Stephens Choir

Also serving as a co-producer for the live recording is Grammy-winning artist and producer PJ Morton, Bishop Morton’s son. Grammy-winning artist Bishop Marvin L. Winans and Elder Derrick Starks, an acclaimed songwriter and producer, are also taking part.

In addition, special appearances are also scheduled from Dr. Micah Stampley, a well known singer and songwriter; and gospel artist Bishop Neal Roberson. The landmark event will be hosted by Bishop T. Delbert Robinson, senior pastor of Greater St. Stephen.

“This is more than a recording,” Bishop Robinson said in a statement. “It’s a reunion, a revival, and a celebration of a sound that has changed and transformed lives around the world.”

But perhaps the most meaningful aspect of the live performance and recording is the return of many Greater St. Stephen Choir alumni from around the country. Bishop Morton told The Louisiana Weekly that having current and former choir members of different ages, generations and eras will help the event connect the long, shining tradition of gospel at Greater St. Stephen with the modern choir.

Morton said that many of the choir’s members left the Crescent City in the wake of Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago, but many are returning to New Orleans to participate in the special concert and live recording.

“This is our time to come back together 20 years later,” he said. “We’re really excited about it,” he added. “ People are coming from around the world for it.”

Starks told The Louisiana Weekly that the Reunion Choir will be composed of more than 100 singers. He added that the setlist for the concert will cross eras and include songs performed by Greater St. Stephen choirs past over the decades.

“We’re going back 40 years,” Starks said, “back to the beginning.”

He added that the septuagenarian Bishop Morton still sings as if he’s 20, and his stamina on stage has diminished over the decades.

“His voice sounds like it did 40 years ago,” Starks said, adding that the performance and recording will be transcendent. “You will be blessed if you come out,” he said.

Bishop Morton echoed those sentiments.

“This has got to be the best of the best,” Morton said. “There’s going to be so many great gospel artists there,” he added. “It’s going to be amazing, one of the best [performances] you ever heard.”

And even though Greater St. Stephen has a 3,000 capacity, the concert could still be standing-room-only.

“If you’re coming out [for the concert],” he said, “you better get there early or you won’t get a seat.”

This article originally published in the June 30, 2025 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.