Celebration of Praise
Gospel Festival

FRENS

Theresa Thomason - From the first moment you hear Theresa Thomason, you will stop and pay attention. Theresa Thomason's voice is brilliant, clear, light and powerful. Seeing Theresa perform live is energizing, exciting and an experience you'll want to repeat! Theresa has that rare magical ability to form an instant intimate relationship with a sold-out crowd. It takes her just a few moments to have an audience become fully engaged as she asks you to sing, stand, and join the choir! You'll walk away from a live concert uplifted and the adrenalin rush get from watching her perform with will take many days to fade away. If you can't hear Theresa live, you can listen to any of her CDs to satisfy your musical cravings. Her two most recent releases are TEN HYMNS from Sacred Sounds Music and SOUND OVER ALL WATERS from Pelagos Music. Check out the website to see her list of accomplishments.


Extraordinary musical gifts, mixed with an artistic blend of showmanship, make any appearance by Theresa an event to remember. Theresa's talent became apparent from an early age when she joined her mother and older sisters in the rich gospel tradition of her faith, singing for worship services led by her father, The Reverend J.J. Thomason. Theresa went on to master the genres of R & B, Club and Jazz, and began to tour extensively, with The Inspirations, The Golden Gospel Singers, and finally, with her own ensemble, The Gospel Family, delivering her spirit-filled message to audiences at gospel and sacred music festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Theresa is a regular soloist for six-time Grammy Award winner Paul Winter. She has spent the last ten years headlining a theatrical concert she wrote and produced throughout 160 European cities.

In addition to two music releases (available below), Miss Thomason performs throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and New Zealand. Thomason recently completed a six month Broadway performance of Earth Wind and Fire's musical Hot Feet.

Carl Lester-El II is a renaissance musician. A master bassist,guitarist, drummer and percussionist. Equally comfortable as a soloist, writer, director and arranger.

Carl's dossier of credits include his appearances on television's Living Single and BET's Sound and Style with Ramsey Lewis where he played toe-to-to with music greats Earl Klugh, Joe Sample, Mark Whitfield, Bobby Watson and others. Additional performances with Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Regina Bell, Donnie McClurkin, Dorothy Norwood, Vesta Williams, Theresa Thomason and many more.

Lester-El adds his gifts to the combined talent of FRENS, an ensemble of musicians described as one of the most exciting groups to emerge on the jazz scene in many years.

As Music Director for Sacred Sounds Music, El has traveled to over 170 European cities creating exhilarating musical arrangements bringing audiences to their feet night after night over a six year period. Lester-El adds rhythm, magic and style to any project he touches.

Rudy Faulkner - Born and raised on the U.S. Island of St. Thomas Rudy has stunned audiences around the world with his unique musical gifts and his breathtaking stage presence.

Rudy is a master of many vocal styles bringing remarkably fresh melodies and songwriting that are powerfully original.

He began early to sing in churches back home in a house filled with music. His father, himself a musician, taught him the steel pan. At Norfolk State and VA. Commonwealth Universities he developed his ability to improvise and use his voice as an instrument studying classical music and jazz from Bird, Miles and Coltrane. He befriended Jon Henricks whose instruction was key and went on to open for artists such as Carmen McCrae, Betty Carter, Clark Terry, and Rene Marie.

As lead vocalist and fiery percussionist of the contemporary jazz group FRENS, Faulkner has performed with Joe Sample, Wyclef Jean, Jonathan Butler, Chaka Kahn, Michael Franks, Boney James, Rick Braun, The Cuban group, Timbason and Walter Beasley.

FRENS debut CD "The First Time" generated stellar sales and reviews. Rudy's success as vocalist, percussionist and Musical Director in Salsa, R&B, Soul, Calypso or Gospel has taken him all over the world. He teaches vocal Jazz and technique in various Virginia forums and Universities.

The Richmond Times Dispatch called Faulkner "a musicians singer because of his total mastery of improvisation" He is likened to Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross and Donnie Hathaway.Watching his power, and presence in his unique approach captures you and reveals one of the most exciting vocalist ever.