2009.1.4

The Hawkins Family gospel singing group is on the stage in a semi-circle, standing at microphones, with an orchestra behind them, in what appears to be a rehearsal (due to the mixed casual attire and the disheveled state of the setup). The singers include men and women, numbering eight or nine in total (due to the angle, some are obscured). All are African American. Behind them is an orchestra which features (prominently on the right side of the frame) a pianist at a grand piano (gym bag at his feet), several seated violinists, and other musicians standing and sitting (whose instruments are blocked by the piano or the singers in the foreground). The conductor can be seen standing behind the singers in the center of the stage facing the musicians. The stage is lit from above with ceiling spotlights. It is a full-frame print with the black edges of the negative forming its frame. On verso are the stamped text, "Michael Macor" and "Jun 3 1989." In handwritten blue ballpoint text, "Hawkins Family w/ The Oakland East Bay Symphony." Written over it, as a correction/addition, in blue felt pen, is the text "Edwin Singers," which is circled (with "Edwin" appearing as an addition to "Hawkins" and "Singers" as an addition/clarification to "Family."

per wikipedia.com (04/29/2009): The "Edwin Hawkins Singers" were led by Edwin Hawkins. Hawkins (born 18 August 1943, Oakland, California) is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir leader, composer and arranger. The Edwin Hawkins Singers is best known for their arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968-69).

Used: Oakland Tribune