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| Yolanda Adams, Keyshia Cole and Steve Harvey at the Essence Music Festival Essence Festivals announced today that gospel icon Yolanda Adams, hip-hop soul songstress Keyshia Cole and comedian Steve Harvey will perform at the 2006 Essence Music Festival. Yolanda Adams, a Houston native has been wowing gospel audiences around the world since her 1988 debut. Adams is a Grammy Award-winner and the recipient of several Stellar Awards, gospel's highest accolade. Her style of music blends gospel with influences from jazz, hip-hop and R&B. Adams' lists of hits include Open My Heart, Victory, Yeah and Already Alright. Hip-hop soul songstress Keyshia Cole fulfilled her childhood dreams with her debut album The Way It Is. The album is comprised of songs like I Should've Cheated, I Changed My Mind, and I Just Want It To Be Over and Never. Comedic star Steve Harvey, is known for both his comedy performances as well as his impeccable sense of style. He is one of the original "Kings of Comedy;" starred in The Steve Harvey Show, a successful sitcom; is the former host of Showtime at the Apollo; created The Steve Harvey Collection a line of men suits; and is currently the host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show, a nationally-syndicated radio show. Yolanda Adams, Keyshia Cole and Steve Harvey are joining previously announced artists Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Cedric "The Entertainer, " Earth Wind & Fire, LL Cool J, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Mo'Nique and Charlie Wilson. Additional stellar artists will be announced in coming weeks. The theme for this year's Essence Empowerment Seminars is "Reclaiming the Dream: The ESSENCE Commitment to our Youth." The Empowerment Seminars will feature an amazing lineup of Hollywood celebrities, music and hip-hop moguls, business executives, spiritual leaders and politicians. Additionally, the Essence Marketplace will showcase artists from throughout the country who offer an array of quality arts and crafts that reflect Black culture. The marketplace will also include sponsor activities, celebrity meet-and-greets, festival souvenirs and a book fair with author book signings. The Essence Music Festival, known as "the party with a purpose, " is the nation's largest annual African-American event and gathering of musical talent in the world. The Festival has become a destination of choice for families and friends as they schedule their reunions. This multigenerational Festival offers free Empowerment Seminars during the day and exciting performances at night, where Festivalgoers can dance and sing along with the biggest names in entertainment -- R&B, classic soul, hip-hop, neo-soul and jazz. The Festival, set for July 1, 2 and 3, will take place in its new interim home, state-of-the-art Reliant Park in Houston, Texas -- a city with a dynamic melting pot of cultures and a venue for world-class shopping, restaurants and nightlife. ESSENCE will continue to work closely with city and state officials to help rebuild the city of New Orleans and its educational system. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |