Organized in 1959 by Reverend Clint Jones, The Friendly Travelers are world-renowned Gospel Music Entertainers who perform traditional gospel standards as well as their own original songs, whether a cappella or with a 4-piece rhythm section.
Their distinctive musical styles evolved from a need, and a desire, to do more than just traditional gospel. They are truly one of the more unique gospel acts on the New Orleans scene today. In addition to traditional gospel, their music showcases a wide array of formats and styles such as R&B, jazz and reggae.
In 1978 The Friendly Travelers were one of the first gospel group to record for the Memphis based Malaco Records which paved the way for them to appear on concert with artists from all walks of life, Gladys Knight to The Mighty Clouds of Joy and from Al Green to the Zion Harmonizers. They have graced the large concert halls of America as well as the quaint clubs and churches of Europe, and have even fashioned operatic styles for symphony concerts in Europe.
Their
unique work led them to a Big Easy Music Award nomination (New Orleans,
1990) and even won them 1st place in The Vocal Harmony Sweepstakes (1989)
also held in The Crescent City. In 1990, they also received an outstanding
"Contribution to Gospel" Award from The New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Foundation. In 1995, The Travelers, as they are often called,
made a "Spirit of Louisiana" commercial for local television
station WWL-TV 4 during the holiday season. The Friendly Travelers make
regular appearances all over Europe and America playing festivals and
Churches alike. They have worked at venues like The New Orleans Jazz
and Heritage Festival, The Kempten Jazz Festival (Germany), The Ascona
Festival (Switzerland), The Nantes Festival (France), House of Blues,
New Orleans, The Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans), world-famed
Tipitina's, Café Brasil, Kaldi's Coffee House, and of course,
the Bourbon Street scene.
Their first internationally distributed compact disc,
with the New Orleans based RAMPART STREET MUSIC label, entitled "STAND
ALONE" has played nationally on stations all across America and
in regions of Europe. This project, a true mirror of The FRIENDLY TRAVELERS
BAND, speaks to their vast diversity. As a testimony to their artistry,
a sampling from this project (The Whole Town's Talking) was solicited
and used on the popular Bill Cosby Movie Mystery, "Dial H for Murder",
that was featured on the Arts and Entertainment Network in 1998.
Their second RAMPART STREET MUSIC project, "SEARCH MY HEART",
comprised almost entirely of original music was released on February
9, 2003. This new release has opened many new doors for the Friendly
Travelers, such as an appearance on Louisiana Jukebox, Live, a spot
on the Louisiana Music Cavalcade, a state sponsored tour of about a
dozen different Louisiana Artists, The French Quarter Festival, MO-Fest,
House of Blues Gospel Brunch and The National Historic Jazz Park, just
to name a few.
Floyd Turner, L.D. Hirams, Alfred Penns, and Wanda Joseph each bring very different elements to the table that make-up the very unique sounds of the Friendly Travelers.
The Friendly Travelers, PO Box 850092, New Orleans, LA 70117, 504-943-0353
JAMALAR/RAMPART STREET MUSIC
3212 N. Prieur St.
New Orleans, La. 70117
Phone 504 943 0353 Fax 504 943 0468
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