The North Beach Bandshell hosts the launch of Pastor Marc Cooper’s Gospel Gumbo, on Sunday October 3. This concert kicks off a new quarterly concert series, presented in partnership between Rhythm Foundation, Live Arts Miami and Upper Room Ministries.

The Black gospel musical tradition is central to American culture, and its cadence permeates our nation with rhythm and power. Join us as we celebrate and expand upon that legacy, led by a pillar of South Florida’s own gospel community, Pastor Marc Cooper, founder of the Stellar Award-winning Miami Mass Choir. Gospel Gumbo draws on the flavor of diverse musical styles, creating fresh new sounds by Miami’s top talents, featuring many special guests and featured artists.

Pastor Cooper (Bishop Cooper since July 2021!) has long centered music in his ministry, and is nationally recognized for his artistry as a choir director and musical director, composer, and arranger, as a powerful force on the Hammond B3 organ. The special guests at this event are Sensere, a Miami-based nine-member Urban Inspirational Gospel Soul Band.

Gospel Gumbo, as a series, will also engage participants from the project’s year-round Mentorship Program, which partners promising young musicians with top performers in the South Florida Gospel scene for invaluable outreach. The series will serve to diversify and expand audiences for gospel music, sharing this vibrant musical tradition to the public, non-denominational context accessible to all. Concerts are free (with a suggested donation), open to the public and live-streamed online.