Bettye Franks Forbes
Bettye Franks Forbes, Founder & Director, created The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble in 1979. Her mission was to preserve, promote, and perform the music of the African-American religious experience. Mrs. Forbes was committed to keeping the cultural heritage of African-American music alive. She encouraged appreciation of musical excellence in the performance of spirituals, hymns, praise songs, gospels, and anthems of the black religious experience.
Over the years, The Ensemble has performed with noted musicians that cover the music spectrum, from Platinum and Grammy award winners Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, to world renowned opera star Kathleen Battle, to jazz musicians – vibraphonist, Jay Hoggard, jazz trombonist,
Wycliff Gordon, and jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut. Ebony has performed for heads of states, including former President Bill Clinton, former South African President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The Ensemble earned international acclaim during a 2000 winter tour in South Korea for The Christian Broadcasting System and in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1986 and 1988 as part of The Kizomba International Black Arts Festivals. The Ensemble has also performed at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, for the NAACP, and with the New York Philharmonic for Porgy and Bess.
Mrs. Forbes has been presented with the Roland Carter Living Legend Award; named Woman of the Year by Brooklyn Women of New York; and served as guest conductor at churches such as Convent Avenue Baptist Church.
For 75 years, Mrs. Forbes has committed herself to practicing, preserving and promoting the rich legacy of the African-American Religious Experience in all its myriad forms and expressions. Mrs. Forbes has demonstrated an indominable spirit and visionary leadership as she’s crafted musical experiences to inspire and transform. Her musicianship and artistry demand only the best of those she works with and delivers only the best to those she seeks to serve.