‘I went to a festival, and a revival broke out’

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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This members of this brass band called themselves Madison Elite. They’re based out of Durham, at a church called the United House of Prayer. The band leader was telling a fan that there are United House of Prayer churches all over the East Coast, and almost all of them have a band.

These guys put their brass to gospel, and it was simply awesome. I don’t care if you believe in God or not – you did while these guys were playing. The music was alternately mournful and hopeful, downbeat and uplifting.

There was the cool drummer in the middle of the bunch, who barely flinched. The tambourine man. The corps of trombonists.

But I couldn’t take my eyes of the leader of the group. He blew and blew and blew. He was incredible.