The Sunday Mail
AMBITIOUS and upcoming gospel artiste, Jesse Priestly, is set to stage a debut local show on Saturday in the capital. He will host the Jesse Priestly Live In Concert where contemporary gospel artistes Pastor G, Janet Manyowa and Pastor Michael Mahendere are billed to perform.While he may seem like a novice on the local scene, Priestly has left footprints on prestigious platforms after sharing the stage with intentionally acclaimed gospel music heavy weights that include worship leader and songwriter, Israel Houghton; choir director and author Kirk Franklin; Grammy Awards winner, Pastor Donnie McClurkin; Micah Stampley and Pastor Malvin Winans who is a member of the musical Winans Family.
Priestly has been working for the past 12 years to perfect his latest album ‘Totally Free’.
He feels there is no better time to host his debut local show. He said the show will be a precursor to the live recording of the latest album.
“It’s more like I am evolving from who I was 12 years ago when I launched my first album, ‘I can hear your voice’, in 2004,” he said.
“My real identity is coming out and what you see here is the foundation of who I will be in the future, where I am going and where l am taking my music in terms of the type of writing, sound, performances and also the type of musical approach.
“For the past decade, I have been putting myself together, shaping my identity, the style of music, my writing, singing and production skills,” he added.
Priestly said the current economic environment makes it difficult to host local shows.
“The current environment plays a part but at the same it’s a culture. Gospel music lovers have certain things they are looking for. You have to fulfil their passion for music but you have to improve your standard of presentation to get more from people. You have to push against the odds,” explained Priestly.
He said teaming up with Pastor G, Manyowa and Pastor Mahendere will complement the concert’s concept.
“We are envisioning a massive experience that is mind blowing, spiritually invigorating and life changing. People will encounter God one on one at this event.
“I believe lives will be changed. We expect to hit a level of worship that has never been hit before, to release a fresh aroma in this nation. We wanted to bring worshippers together. We (performing artistes) come from significant backgrounds, our fathers speak into lives of many so I believe if we come together as worship leaders as our fathers are doing, we will cause God to come down and touch heaven. If you look in the Bible, praise and worship is a powerful tool to turn around people’s lives. So this is the main reason for this worship experience,” he highlighted.
Priestly has been a worship leader since his youth.
“We have taken the second album a notch higher and recorded it in South Africa with my friends Mark Montgomery and Gabriel Montgomery. We have worked with musicians from South Africa and two local drummers.
“Our vision is more global, we decided to take it to that place where we ensure international standards. We do not need to see ourselves as Zimbabwe local musicians only writing for the local market.
“We need to become global icons and pacesetters. There is no limit to what a person can become. It all starts in the mind, any gospel musician should see it first in their mind and execute it with consistency and commitment,” he said.
Gospel lovers are expected to fork out $10 for the show ticket.
