The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, Inc.

Photo credit: Richard Conde

Co-Directors –  Pamela Eatman-Skinner, Ph.D and Rev. Eugene R. Palmore  | Neil Israel, Accompanist. 

The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, Inc. was founded by Bettye Franks Forbes in 1979 for participation in the re-opening celebration of the renovated James Memorial Chapel at Union Theological Seminary of New York City. For 45 years, The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble has captivated audiences throughout the Tri-State area and across the country and abroad.

The Ensemble recorded its first album, “Release Your Song” in 1984. 2015 saw the release of Ebony’s latest CD, Spirit Alive. 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 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. 

This year, The Ensemble celebrates its 45th Anniversary on June 29, 2024, at The Hostos Center for The Arts & Culture. Under the direction of Co-Directors, and The Rev. Eugene R. Palmore and Mrs. Pamela Eatman-Skinner, Ph.D., The Ensemble continues to honor the African-American Religious Experience through the music of our ancestors and our contemporaries. We pray for God’s blessings as we continue to uphold this great music tradition today and for the next 45 years!