With each performance or album Robert E. Person takes his artistic gift to a higher realm of creativity and excellence. Whether through weekly cantor duties at his church, special appearances at venues like Hard Rock Café, singing background for pop music star Josh Groban or ministering in song for The Pope during his U.S. Papal visit, Robert continues to brand and prove himself to be one of the nation’s premier Gospel, Jazz and Classically skilled vocalists.
We discovered Robert E. Person some years ago and immediately became fond of his signature style. He blends gospel with jazz and even classical stylings with ease. The seamless combinations make him one of our favorite artists to play. Without expressing it, he shows listeners that there is divinity in a multiplicity of musical genres. His light shines through each composition and arrangement! –Fred Willis, SoulProsper Radio
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Taking another ingenious step higher, Robert announces a new album CLASSIC COVERS. The first single from the album is “I Give You Praise”, an original composition by legendary pianist and songwriter Richard Smallwood (“Total Praise”, “Center of My Joy” and “I Love the Lord”). Richard Smallwood’s repertoire was a significant part of Person’s young life and now the Washingtonians unite on this classic gospel song first released on Smallwood’s PORTRAIT album in 1989 (Word Entertainment).
“I released ‘I Give You Praise’ over 28 years ago and wrote it almost 40 years ago. It is one of my favorite songs and it feels great to teach, record and release it again,” Smallwood shares. “To mentor and collaborate with the younger generation of singers and musicians like Robert is important because our gifts are not our own, they are God given. We have a responsibility to reach back and sow into the next generation.”
“Singers record and perform cover songs all the time and having the opportunity to re-make a song with the original artist is rare,” says Person. “Recording with Richard Smallwood was a dream come true, a blessing, and a huge responsibility because he is the consummate musician.” – Robert E. Person
“Robert’s execution is absolutely beautiful. His vocals are on point and Roderick’s vocal work is awesome,” says Smallwood. “Thank you (Robert) for doing such an amazing musical interpretation of the song. You guys really did it justice!” –Richard Smallwood
