The Rocks of Harmony, an all-male Black gospel group based in New Orleans, will celebrate its 71st anniversary with a concert on Sunday, November 21, at 3 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church F.H. Dunn Educational Building.

The group originally consisted of seven brothers born to Albert and Theo Jackson in Centreville, Mississippi. The young men received no professional instruction in vocals or with musical instruments but as their motto states, they were “solid like a rock, singing until the power of the Lord came down.”

The group was cofounded in 1950 by the eldest brother, Will Ivory “W.I.” Jackson, who left Centreville after he found work on the Mississippi River wharves in New Orleans. He gradually recruited all seven siblings to New Orleans for employment opportunities. The other cofounder was Rev. Freddie H. Dunn, the group’s pastor. The Rocks of Harmony would consist of three or four lead singers and multiple back up singers and musicians. They remain a family group, now consisting of two sons of original group members, one who sing lead and another who plays the drums.

The Rocks of Harmony were one of the first groups to perform at the Storyville/The District live music venue which was located in the French Quarter. The group has recorded many 45 rpm singles, including “He’s Done What He Said,” “God Will Provide For His Own” and “Down On My Knees” with Rosemont Records, Booker Records, and Hosanna Records. The Rocks of Harmony have traditionally opened at the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for the past 40 years and were scheduled to perform there again in both 2020 and 2021 until the festivals were canceled due to the pandemic.

Recently the group was awarded the Legendary Award by the New Orleans Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America for the Quartet Division.

Tickets for the anniversary celebration are $10 and may be purchased at the door. The New Hope Baptist Church F.H. Dunn Educational Building is located at 1807 John C. Raphael Jr. Way.