The Gospel Plus Festival returned to Frederick early this year with a three-day celebration of gospel music’s evolution and diversity. Among the headline artists were the Harlem Gospel Travelers, a Grammy-nominated trio known for blending gospel, soul, and funk into a powerful contemporary sound. Held across New Spire Arts and the Weinberg Center for the Arts, the festival featured performances that honored gospel’s heritage while pushing its boundaries.
Fresh off their 2025 GRAMMY nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album, these groundbreaking vocalists—Ifedayo Gatling, Dennis Bailey, and George Marage—are redefining gospel for a new generation. With their latest album, Rhapsody, the trio explores the intersection of gospel, soul, and funk, drawing inspiration from the lesser-known gospel funk movement of the 1960s and beyond. As the first openly queer artists nominated in their category, The Harlem Gospel Travelers bring a powerful message of inclusion and musical innovation to the stage.
Learn more about the music group: harlemgospeltravelers.com