Simeon MaGee, the Minister of Music for Shield of Faith Christian Center of Pomona, Bishop Henry B. Alexander, Pastor. He was born and raised in the city of Pomona and started playing piano at the age of 12. Within a couple of years, he started playing for the youth choir at Mt. Sinai COGIC in Pomona.

Simeon went on to Cal Poly Pomona where he studied Music Composition under the late Dr. William Carter. There he served as musical director of the Cal Poly Pomona Youth Gospel Choir under the direction of Dansby Sturdiant.

Throughout his career, Simeon has had the opportunity to minister at various churches throughout the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He has also toured with the stage play, "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God", featuring Jennifer Holliday, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass and BeBe Winans.

In 1997, he became Minister of Music for Shield of Faith, where he has served faithfully for the past 10 years. In 2000, he produced Shield of Faith's first album "The Worship Experience Featuring Minister Deione Cox". He is currently working on a solo gospel jazz project, expected to release in late September.

Devante Young showed a deep interest in playing drums at the extremely young age of five. The late Deacon Johnny Peterson saw this small boy banging away on the drums at Mt. Zion. He was so impressed he bought Devante his first set of drum sticks. Devante Young was born on May 28, 1992 to Katherine Thomas in Rialto, California. He is the oldest of 3 sons.

He is a former member of the drill and drum team called "The Westside Steppers", who have won many awards and accolades. He is a faithful member of Mt Zion Baptist Church, San Bernardino, CA where he plays drums for the various choirs and is considered one of the best drummers. Devante is also a member of the Dr. T. Elliott Praise Dance Team.

Devante is a sophomore at Eisenhower High School. He enjoys math and his favorite sports are baseball, basketball and football. He desires to attend Michigan State or Howard University.

 

Reginald Gaulden is the Music Minister for Second Baptist Church, Riverside, where T. Ellsworth Gantt, Pastor.

Minister Gaulden is an ordained minister, who was mentored by the late Reverend James Cleveland.  He is a national songwriter, teacher, Director of Gospel Music Workshop of America as well as the Los Angeles Chapter.

In addition he is the musical director of the Los Angeles Gospel Messengers.  His incredible musical talents and reputation have afforded him the opportunity to work with numerous renowned artists, such as Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Jones, Richard Smallwood, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard and many more. 

Master Bluesman, John Carey, brings one of America's greatest treasures, the blues, through his full spectrum music. John Carey delivers the backbone of America to the people with a sensual soul-stirring impact-a resonating impact that brings each member of the audience "back home.

He articulates the history of blues through his different styles, always ringing out the beauty that transports his audiences straight into the emotionally captivating essence of the blues art.

John Carey emerged from his humble roots in Chicago to be an exemplary artist. Born, John Russell Carey, in the mid-1950's, in Illinois, John's first musical experience began in his beloved mamma's kitchen where the blues was always the staple ingredient playing in the background. Noticing John's interest in the blues at an early age she would give him a cereal box to strum. Thus began the path of the remarkable guitarist who can play like Jimi Hendrix in one moment and seamlessly like B.B. King in the next.

John continued to grow into a young man playing the guitar, then attended the Chicago Conservatory where he honed his musical knowledge. He went on to develop his craft playing electric guitar, keyboard, and percussion joining forces with such greats as the Chi-lites, Natalie Cole, George Benson and Earth, Wind and Fire. Given his extraordinary depth combining grit and elegance so characteristic of his artistic expression it is no wonder why the critics are considering John Carey to be "preserver and educator of the origins and progress of blues."

Born October 1st, 1940, Henry Franklin is a native of Los Angeles whose earliest memories of jazz were through his father, Sammy Franklin, a renowned trumpeter and bandleader. As a child, Henry was encouraged to take music seriously and with that he understood its emotional power. Though he would take to the clarinet, piano and tap dancing early, it wasn't until the day he picked up the bass that music began to define him. So began Henry's life-long love affair with music. "It just felt natural," he said.

Later Henry studied with Al McKibbon and George Morrow and spent many hours pouring over the offerings of such bassist greats as Paul Chambers and Doug Watkins. Henry was still attending the Manual Arts High School when he played with his first professional band _ the Roy Ayers Latin Jazz Quintet. He and Roy played together along with Bill Henderson, Carl Burnett and Elmo Jones. Henry also met and worked with Harold Land and Hampton Hawes. Years later he would tour Europe with Hawes and record five albums with him.

Henry continued to study, listen and hone his craft, but in 1968 received a call from Willie Bobo. The call led to a year-long tour of the East Coast, where on his off days, he worked gigs with Archie Shepp, Lamont Johnson, Beaver Harris and Roswell Rudd. Then one night, Hugh Masekela heard Henry play and made him an offer. Three and a half years later the two would collaborate on Grazing in the Grass and then part ways with a great friendship and a gold record.

The jazz world continued to embrace him and Henry's work continued to be elevated. He would team with Dennis Gonzales, John Purcell and William Richardson and perform with them on five albums that were critically acclaimed throughout Europe. Henry also played extensively with Pharoah Sanders, Joe Williams, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Fortune and Milt Jackson.

There are more than 100 albums on which Henry appears, with many of them produced under his leadership. They include: The Skipper and The Skipper at Home (Black Jazz label), Three Card Molly, Bassic Instincts, The Hunter, Bass Encounters (Resurgent Music label), Colemanology, Ears Wide Open, Three Worlds, A Musical Tribute to Gene Harris featuring Three More Sounds, Summer Serenade (Beezwax Records), Shalabongo, We Came to Play (Jeru Records), Tribal Dance (Catalyst Records), Blue Lights (Ovation Records), Sakura (WJ3 Records), All God's Children (SP Records) and Music to the 5th Power (SP Records). Henry also published a method book for all bass players entitled, Bassically Yours.

The Skipper is completing his eighth year with his group at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California and can be seen every Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday night. He also continues to produce artists on his SP Label - including his latest CD Music to the 5th Power - to keep his and the world's love of jazz alive.

Hosea Moore, Jr. is the Minister of Music for Mt. Zion Baptist Church of San Bernardino, California where he plays piano and organ. He is extremely versatile demonstrated by his ability to play for the Children's Choir, Young Adult Choir, Senior Choir, Mass Choir, Male Chorus and the T. Elliott Chorale.

Hosea Moore, Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California on September 6, 1954, to Reverend Hosea Moore, Sr. and Mrs. S. B. Moore. He's started playing musical instruments at home. At the age of eleven, he began to play organ for the Holy Trinity Church in Illinois. While there he played for the mass and family.

Hosea attended high school in Mt. Vernon, IL where he played for the High School Choir tenor. They won lst place at the state competition all four years. He also played for the school choir and the jazz band (1973-1974 at Rendlake College.

Hosea played piano and organ for Lively Stone Apostolic Church (1975-1980 and Holy Trinity Church of San Bernardino. He played organ for Trinity New Life Church in 1998.

He also plays for weddings, retirements, receptions, and celebrations for all occasions. Hosea, his wife, Bridgette Annette, and their three children, TY Yendra, Ty Yeesha & Hosea III reside with him in San Bernardino, CA. He is employed by the L. A. Unified School District as a Supervisor of Data Processing.