The LA Philharmonic came to us with one question:

How can we curate a citywide festival—physically and digitally—composed of insightful programming for the premiere of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass with Dudamel? One that honors the legacy of Gospel music while highlighting Black Los Angeles's historic contributions to Black sacred music and cultural innovation.

Photo by Elizabeth Asher

For the Spring 2025 season, the LA Philharmonic premiered Good News Mass, a groundbreaking work by composer Carlos Simon, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Rooted in gospel traditions and inspired by the legacies of Mary Lou Williams and Florence Price, the Mass celebrated Black joy, faith, and resilience. The performance featured a visual narrative by Melina Matsoukas, gospel artists Samoht and Zebulon Ellis, spoken word by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, and a libretto by Courtney Ware. It opened with Bernstein’s Divertimento and a performance of Price’s Second Violin Concerto by Randall Goosby.

To accompany the premiere, the LA Phil commissioned NOMMO to curate The Trinity, a triptych of citywide programming inspired by three core themes of the Mass: Black joy, spiritual discovery, and the transformative power of faith. Each program invited audiences to explore the beauty, complexity, and enduring impact of Black sacred music, with a focus on Los Angeles’s vibrant gospel legacy.

NOMMO led The Trinity's conceptualization, research, and activation, spanning both in-person and digital formats. From public programs to narrative development, NOMMO crafted a cultural strategy that honored the gospel’s historical roots while creating space for future-forward Black storytelling.

Credit: LA Philharmonic

Outcomes:

Praise Break: Divine Disco, Soul and House, presented in partnership with Jazz is Dead and LA Phil Insight, celebrated Black gospel culture through music and dance, blending gospel, soul, disco, and house. The sold-out program explored the themes of Black joy, spiritual exploration, and the power of faith—inviting audiences to connect with Los Angeles’ rich gospel music heritage. Guests experienced the soul-stirring rhythms and uplifting spirit that define the city’s gospel traditions.

On Palm Sunday, the event featured DJ sets by D-Nice, J. Rocc, Novena Carmel, Kristi Lomax, and Greg Belson, curator of the celebrated Divine Disco compilations, along with a live performance by Jimetta Rose and the Voices of Creation. Brunch was served in Checker Hall with DJs spinning deep gospel cuts, while HIT+RUN provided live screen-printing and complimentary t-shirts for attendees.

Curated by Tyree Boyd-Pates for NOMMO Cultural Strategies, Praise Break was part of The Trinity—a citywide festival celebrating the LA Phil’s premiere of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. All ages were welcome, with $10 tickets for the main room and free entry to Checker Hall. Guests were encouraged to dress to impress in their Sunday best.

Part 1. Black Joy:

Praise Break: Divine Disco, Soul and House

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Praise Break Attendee Testimonials

"Praise Break was a rejuvenating and enlightening experience for the community of Los Angeles. The fusion of Black spiritual gospels, disco, and house music in one space created a transcendent experience for all ages and people of color. I was especially moved by the generosity of the custom screen-printed T-shirts by Hit + Run, and DJ Greg Belson’s set, which beautifully blended local Black gospel from Los Angeles with house music. Overall, it was an experience well worth it, especially in today’s political and social climate."

Attendee #1
"Praise Break was a beautiful cultural combination of history, music, and the art of gathering. Bringing those three elements together in one experience created something truly unique, unforgettable, and one of a kind."

Attendee #2
"PRAISE BREAK was such a special, one-of-a-kind experience with an incredible lineup of DJs and musicians spinning the best gospel, soul, disco, and house! It brought our LA community together for a beautiful afternoon filled with culture, connection, faith, inspiration, and joy. In times like these, this kind of gathering was so needed. Big thanks to Tyree Boyd-Pates of NOMMO Cultural Strategies for creating such a thoughtful, high-vibe event. We’re already looking forward to the next one!"

Attendee #3

Part 2. Spiritual Discovery:

Sanctuaries of Praise: A Historical Tour of Black Churches in Los Angeles

Curated for the LA Phil Insight and in collaboration with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s performance of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass, NOMMO’s second output for “The Trinity” was titled Sanctuaries of Praise: A Historical Tour of Black Churches in Los Angeles. This digital journey explored numerous sacred spaces within Black Los Angeles. These historic churches have been bastions of faith, activism, and musical creativity.

From the late 19th century through the Great Migration (1910–1970), when six million African Americans relocated from the rural South to urban centers like Los Angeles, these places of worship played a pivotal role in developing gospel music. They integrated spiritual traditions with the improvisational brilliance of jazz, blues, and soul, shaping the genre as we know it today.

The full post can be seen here.

Part 3. The Power of Faith

Total Praise: Gospel Music Workshop of America LA Chapter

Lastly, curated for the LA Phil Insight and in partnership with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s performance of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass, NOMMO’s final presentation of “The Trinity” Total Praise: Gospel Music Workshop of America LA Chapter featured the Gospel Workshop of America on Grand Avenue, in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, for a pop-up event celebrating the rich history of gospel music in L.A. This pop-up performance created celebratory sacred music. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a gathering of memory and spirit, making Black Los Angeles’ enduring musical lineage visible in the heart of the city, just steps away from the home of Bridget “Biddy” Mason.

NOMMO is deeply grateful to the incredible vocalists, musicians, and community who showed up and showed out. This is what cultural strategy and Black history in public space look like when care, history, and belonging lead—creating "Total Praise."