2024 Performers & Presenters
Ramón Bryant Braxton
The Artistic Director, Orchestra Conductor, and Choir Director
Maestro Ramón Bryant Braxton returns for a third consecutive year as the Artistic Director and Conductor for SONGS OF BLACK FOLK. A native of Tacoma, Braxton is a product of the Black Church and the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience. He is a graduate of the iconic Morehouse College in Atlanta (BA), where he studied under Dr. Uzee Brown, renown educator, composer, singer, Choir Director, and musical mentor. Bryant received his graduate musical education (MM) at the Morgan Stage University in Baltimore where he studied under the late Dr. Nathan M. Carter, an internationally renowned teacher of vocal music who built the Morgan State University Choir into one of the premier vocal groups in the nation. Braxton is a composer, orchestra conductor, choir director, vocalist, pianist, and organist. He has led and served with the musical staffs of some of the most historic and premier African American churches in the nation including, the Abyssinia Baptist Church of Harlem, the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Washington DC, the New Psalmist Baptist Church of Baltimore, the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta, and the First Shiloh Baptist Church of Buffalo. Braxton has performed with Baltimore’s internationally acclaimed “Soulful Symphony”: a full symphony orchestra and vocalists of only elite African American and Latin X musicians. Braxton was formerly the vocal instructor at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC and the Assistant Director of the Howard University Choir.
John Stoddart
Special Guest
John Stoddart is an R&B/gospel singer-songwriter, who is noted for his incredible diversity of exquisite musical gifts that include, singer, pianist, songwriter, conductor, and choral director. In 1993, Stoddart earned a Bachelor of Arts in Piano and Voice from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland. Stoddart has worked as a contributing songwriter and producer on many other artists' albums. Stoddart sang backing vocals for I Surrender in Celine Dion's 2002 album A New Day Has Come. Stoddart’s albums have included Love So Real (1998), Wings to Walk on This Road (2003), Sweet (2006), Faces (2009), Faith Hope Love (2010), Only on Christmas Day (2013), Our House (2022). John Stoddart composed an original rendition of the Negro National Anthem for the inaugural SBF production in 2022.
BrandiE Sutton
Featured Soloist
Brandie Sutton is one of the classical world’s most impressive new stars. Her musical bona fides include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Orpheus Symphony Orchestra in Moscow, and the Grand Théâtre de Genève and Alter Oper Frankfurt. Sutton has deepened her repertoire and expanded her audiences beyond the classical world, also performing folk, jazz, and pop material from established and contemporary composers. In 2018 Sutton performed in Seattle’s McCaw Hall as a part of the cast of Porgy and Bess. Her sumptuous mid-weight Soprano voice mesmerized audiences as she performed the featured role of “Clara”, singing the incomparable Gershwin ballad Summertime. Sutton perform this same coveted role when Porgy and Bess was presented at the Metropolitan Opera in 2020.
Crystal Aikin
Featured Soloist
Crystal Renee Aikin returns to Songs of Black Folk for a second straight year. She is an American gospel singer-songwriter from Tacoma, Washington, and the winner of the first season of Sunday Best. Her eponymous debut album was released on January 13, 2009, through Verity Records. In 2010 Aikin was nominated for a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards. In 2012 she released Silent Night, through Verity Records. In 2015 she released, All I Need, through RCA Records.
Zhanea June
Featured Soloist
Zhanea June is an emerging gospel/R&B phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest Community. Her distinctive and versatile mezzo-soprano voice inspires congregations in sacred spaces and woos audiences in the Northwest’s popular secular venues. In addition to being an extraordinary vocalist, Zhanea is a gifted choir and vocal ensemble director, noted for her creative and impressive arrangements of traditional and contemporary material. In 2023 she was elevated to the position of Coordinator of Music and Worship Arts at the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Kent. Zhanea returns to the Songs of Black Folk Choir for a third consecutive year. In 2023, she was elevated to the position of Choir Master by the SBF Artistic Director, Ramon Braxton. In addition to her work at NBCF, Zhanea recently released her latest single "Bad Habit". She proves to be a versatile artist reaching the masses via radio and stage.
Robyn 'Bria' Manaway
Featured Soloist
Bria Manaway discovered her passion for singing at the age of 4, making her debut with the Tabernacle Baptist Church Recording Choir. Daughter of Pastor Robert L. Manaway and Mrs. Jessica Manaway, Bria’s voice has evolved into a soulful, dynamic, and captivating tone. Bria has opened for Gospel luminaries like John P. Kee, Donald Lawrence, and Deitrick Haddon. She has also shared the stage with notable artists such as Maranda Curtis, Chrystal Rucker, Yvette Williams, Ricky Dillard, Jekayln Carr and more. With two songs, “Follow You” and “Good”, available on all digital platforms, Bria aims to express the love of Christ Jesus through her music. Bria returns to the Songs of Black Folk Choir for a third consecutive year.
Reverend Dr. James Alexander Forbes, Jr.
Guest Narrator
Doctor Forbes is the Senior Pastor Emeritus of the historic Riverside Church in Manhattan, NY. He was the first African American Pastor of this flagship multicultural congregation that he served for 18 years, 1989-2007. In November 1993, Doctor Forbes was featured in Ebony Magazines now iconic article, “15 Greatest Black Preachers”. From 1976-1989, Dr. Forbes taught preaching at Union theological Seminary in New York City. In 2009, Dr. Forbes authored the book Whose Gospel: A Concise guide to Progressive Protestantism, in which he offers a compelling vision of progressive social change and addresses the most crucial issues of our time – poverty, war, women’s equality, racial justice, sexuality, and the environment.
The Choir
An intergenerational Choral group of 40 gifted African American singers from the Puget Sound Community will perform under Braxton’s direction. The Choral group will combine the talents of well-known local vocalists and emerging young local vocalists. Together they form a musically versatile Choir with an extraordinarily rich and dynamic sound.
Orchestra & Rhythm Section
A 50-piece Orchestra (Conducted by Ramon Braxton) will accompany the Choir and the featured soloists. The orchestra will be comprised of musicians from the Puget Sound community. Additionally, the music will be supported by a 7-piece rhythm section that will combine the talents of local and national musicians.
The Emcee
The emcee for SONGS OF BLACK FOLK 2024, will be the Honorable T’Wina Nobles, Washington State Senator from the 28th Legislative District.