World-class composer, pianist and arranger, Richard Smallwood has clearly and solidly changed the face of black gospel music. His impeccable blend of classical movements with traditional gospel has earned Smallwood many honors in his 20-plus year career including multiple Dove Awards, Stellar Awards and a GRAMMY. Smallwood’s first album, The Richard Smallwood Singers, debuted in 1982 and spent 87 weeks on Billboard‘s Gospel chart. He recorded eight albums with the Richard Smallwood Singers and appeared on many other artists’ projects. His song, “I, Love the Lord” crossed onto the big screen when Whitney Houston sang it in the film, “The Preacher’s Wife” and his music has also been recorded by artists such as Destiny’s Child, Yolanda Adams and Karen Clark-Sheard. Smallwood, with his current group Vision, an ensemble of multi-talented ministers of music, has recorded four projects for Verity records, Adoration, Rejoice, Healing. Live in Detroit, and Persuaded – Live in DC. Richard Smallwood has been honored by the Smithsonian Institution as a “gospel innovator and songwriter.” His hometown, Washington, D.C., has heralded Smallwood on two separate occasions with “Richard Smallwood Day,” and distinguished him with the Mayoral Art Award for “precision and excellence in artistic discipline.”
