Kurt Carr
| Kurt Carr | |
|---|---|
| File:Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers perform at the White House.jpg
The Kurt Carr Singers perform for President George W. Bush and guests on June 17, 2008 in the East Room of the White House
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 12, 1964 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Genres | Gospel, praise & worship |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Verity Gospel Music Group |
| Associated acts | James Cleveland, Anastacia[citation needed] |
Kurt Carr (born on October 12, 1964) is an American gospel music composer and performer. While living in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, he served as Minister of Music at The First Baptist Church of Hartford located at the time on Greenfield Street.
Biography
Early years
Kurt Carr was born in the mid-1960s in Hartford, Connecticut, where he grew up in a family who believed in Jesus, but was not deeply involved in church. At the age of 13, Kurt found himself being increasingly drawn to the church. In his early teen years, he performed as an actor and dancer at the Hartford Stage Company in a Broadway musical called On the Town, which was directed by Clay Johnson. He became an active member in his church's music department. At the age of 17, Carr realized that he was being called to do something even higher with his life. After high school, he entered into the music program at the University of Connecticut, where he studied classical music and earned a Fine Arts degree. Carr is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Music career
Carr was piano accompanist for Andrae Crouch's music ministry for one year. Carr was subsequently hired to be musical director and pianist for Rev. James Cleveland’s ministry and was employed there for seven years, until Cleveland's death. Eventually, Carr became director of the West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ Choir, where he had the opportunity to work with both gospel and secular musical artists, including Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin. In 1989 while in Los Angeles, Carr formed a six-member gospel vocal ensemble called The Kurt Carr Singers. Anastacia was its member in 1997.[1][citation needed]
Carr’s music is a blend of traditional gospel composition and vocals, with elements of R&B, jazz, soul, blues, and the distinct modern harmonies and singing styles found in urban contemporary gospel. The Kurt Carr Singers under his direction and musical influence have created seven albums. Kurt Carr has won four Stellar Awards.
Discography
- 1988: I'm Glad
- 1991: Together
- 1994: Serious About It
- 1997: No One Else
- 2000: Awesome Wonder
- 2005: One Church
- 2008: Just the Beginning
- 2012: Bless This House
References
- Articles with dead external links from March 2015
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with unsourced statements from March 2015
- Articles with hCards
- 1961 births
- African-American singers
- American Christians
- American gospel singers
- American Pentecostals
- Living people
- Members of the Church of God in Christ
- Urban contemporary gospel musicians
