New York City’s Town Hall Celebration of “Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ” Twinkie Clark a Huge Success

(New York, NY – January 25, 2023) – On Friday, January 21, 2023, New York City’s Town Hall presentation “A Celebration of Composer Twinkie Clark,” conducted by musical polymath Damien Sneed was a huge success.

The star-studded lineup included multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artists Karen Clark Sheard and Faith Evans, tenor saxophonist and jazz vocalist Camille Thurman, Pastor Juandolyn Stokes, along with featured vocalists Chenee Campbell, Tiffany Freeman, Markita Knight, and Alicia Peters-Jordan with the Orchestra of Tomorrow, founded by Sneed.

The fully-packed audience came to pay homage to virtuoso and four-time Grammy Award-winning gospel legend, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, who is celebrating a five-plus-decade career as one of the most prolific gospel composers in music history. The historic evening also included a Proclamation from New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams’ office, declaring Friday, January 21, 2023, Dr. Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark Day in New York City, presented by Faith Evans.

With standing ovations throughout the evening, music composer Damien Sneed curated an evening fit for “The Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ” and the “Mother of Gospel Music,” with her well-known and sacred compositions, which included a combination of  full songs and medleys: “Now Is The Time,” “Ha Ya (Eternal Life),” “For The Love Of The People,” “Jesus Is A Love Song,” “Bless You Real Good,” “Jesus Saves,” “Pray For The USA,” “Pure God,” “Balm In Gilead,” “Worship The King,” “Feed My Sheep,” “I Tried Him and I Know Him,” “Wonderful Counselor,” “Praying Spirit,” “Expect Your Miracle,” “Nothing To Lose,” “Is My Living In Vain,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and the finale “Hallelujah.”

In addition, vocalist Chenee Campbell brought the audience to their feet by singing Damien Sneed’s composition, “Here With You,” which Twinkie Clark featured and performed on her album, Twinkie Clark & Friends…Live in Charlotte (2002).

“I originally conceptualized this tribute to Twinkie Clark many, many years ago while living in Detroit and traveling across the country as music director for The Clark Sisters,” says Sneed. “I am elated that everything turned out so well and, most of all, that Twinkie Clark was celebrated as the American treasure and musical genius she is.”

“Friday night was a once-in-a-lifetime concert event,” says Melay Araya, Artistic Director of The Hall, NYC. “Twinkie Clark came on stage to a full house and a stage of artists who came from around the country to honor her. Twinkie Clark set The Town Hall and Damien Sneed off on a good foot as we move forward with our Black Voice series.”

Additionally, Sneed’s label, LeChateau Earl Records released Twinkie Clark’s debut solo instrumental project, Maestra. Executive produced by Sneed, the EP features the “Opening Prayer,” “Miracle,” “Yes Lord,” “Nothing To Lose,” and “A Praying Spirit,” and is available on all digital outlets everywhere.