Written by | Ray Cornelius
Jazz vocalist Maria Howell and some of her music industry friends came together Sunday night to help benefit the Atlanta-based Students Without Mothers. The “Season of Soul” Concert was held at the SCADShow and featured the “Saints & Sinners” actress along with TV, stage and music star Chandra Currelley, UK’s Queen of Soul Julie Dexter, teen sensation NaDej K. Bailey, singer-songwriter C. Lei Boss Lady, WCLK 91.9’s RivaBlue and BMI Independent Songwriter Gabbie McGee.
Chandra Currelley and Kathleen Bertrand
Students Without Mothers is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students without mothers, help themselves by empowering them to continue their education. The organization’s main purpose is to provide scholarships for college bound high school seniors who are without their mothers, due to death or other unfortunate circumstances.
NaDej K. Bailey and Maria Howell singing “My Guy”
The evening began with greetings from Students Without Mother’s Board Chair Renee Alston. Howell, who has been serving the organization for the last seven years, kicked-off the performances with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Bailey, who stars in “Almost Christmas” performed Charlie Brown’s “Christmas Time is Here” and a duet of the Mary Wells tune “My Guy” with Howell. RivaBlue performed a sultry and sassy version of “Jingle Bells” while C. Lei Boss Lady performed an original tune “Make Me Whole” and a duet of “Winter Wonderland” with Howell.
Julie Dexter performing “Little Drummer Boy”
Dexter hit the stage with her own unique version of “The Little Drummer Boy.” McGee performed her original tune “Mississippi’s Daughter” and the Christmas staple “Peace on Earth.” Currelley, who is the former lead vocalist for the S.O.S Band, performed “My Favorite Things” and her hit single “Love Again,” from Tyler Perry‘s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” The ladies closed out the show with “O Holy Night” and the Donny Hathaway classic “This Christmas.” “Greenleaf” actor Keith David was spotted in the audience along with jazz singer and BronzeLens Film Festival Executive Producer Kathleen Bertrand.
Check out more photos below and click here to donate to Students Without Mothers:
Renee Alston
NaDej K. Bailey performing Charlie Brown’s “Christmas Time is Here”
RivaBlue performing “Jingle Bells”
C. Lei Boss Lady performing her original tune “Make Me Whole”
Gabbie McGee singing “Mississippi’s Daughter”
Chandra Currelley performing “My Favorite Things”
The ladies singing “This Christmas”
Chandra Currelley, Keith David, Kathleen Bertrand and RivaBlue
Chandra Currelley and NaDej K. Bailey
Keith David with RivaBlue
Gabbie McGee with Maria Howell and Chandra Currelley
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com