JOYFUL!, a 9th ward gospel group formed in 1981 has been afforded, over the last 28 years, the opportunity to join many other popular New Orleans musicians to travel the world over to spread the unique flavor of our unique music (gospel, blues, jazz & r&b) to millions of fans who may never have the ability to journey the oceans for a real visit to New Orleans. As a result, this very soulful gospel group has formed the JOYFUL Foundation so that they may help under privileged New Orleans music students by buying instruments and providing lessons so that the traditions of our musical heritage are not lost on the modern world.

Recipients of the first grant were upper level music students from the West Jefferson High School music department. Just as family heirlooms are passed along to the younger generations to hold on to and treasure, it is the responsibility of today's experienced, New Orleans music professional to pass on the musical history and culture to the youth of our great city for them to hold on to, to cherish, and to keep alive. Thus, the birth of the JOYFUL Brass Band!

The burning desire to be a part of the traditional New Orleans music culture is one of the criteria for being eligible to be a grant recipient. These 7 students have more than proven themselves as they continue their music education beyond the classroom, into the recording studio and onto the road.

Their experience in the recording studio resulted in a 7-song CD, titled "I Got a Feeling" and features traditional music such as Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Down By The Riverside and When the Saints G o Marching In, just to name a few, and was released just in time for the group's first summer tour to Italy and Spain during the summer of 2008 which was quite successful.

To learn more about the JOYFUL Music Group and the JOYFUL Brass Band, visit our website at http://www.jamalaragency.com.

www.jamalaragency.com ~ email: jamalar3618@yahoo.com