Many styles of music were brought over from Africa and established in America, but much like Jazz and Blues, Sacred Steel guitar music was born on American soil, it’s unique style was developed and played by African Americans and is part of our little known church history in this country.
Usually when great musicians die, too often their music will die with them and is erased from the musical landscape when there is no documentation of its existence. It would be a travesty on our part to allow this great African American steel guitar music tradition to go undocumented to possibly be lost forever.
My deep love and respect for the music and the musicians that keep it alive, is what motivates me to preserve this cultural treasure. The Steel Guitar Tradition of the Church of the Living God began in the late 1930’s and has been a well kept secret until now.
This church has established an undeniably unique musical identity, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who gave the world this spiritually uplifting and vibrant form of expression.
Lorenzo Harrison is the Architect and father of the Jewell Dominion’s steel guitar music tradition. He took the steel guitar and established it as arguably, the most important instrument in the church services. His style of music changed the whole concept of what could be played on the steel guitar, an instrument most often identified with country western music.
This music as a whole is like a priceless family heirloom, a hidden treasure in the earth and all necessary steps are being taken to secure its place in American Music History.
