Reggie Houston's Wordless Praise Experience

Reggie's Wordless Praise Experience, named for a song he penned, is a gospel band that pays tribute to one of the genres of music that gave rise to the celebrated sounds of New Orleans. The Wordless Praise Experience features a rotating cast of some of the finest gospel singers and musicians from New Orleans to the West Coast, many of whom came up in the music of their own churches, including :
  • Davell Crawford - Though he now calls New York home, Davell is known as the "Piano Prince of New Orleans," Davell is certainly New Orleans musical royalty claiming a lineage that includes his grandfather James "Sugar Boy" Crawford (who wrote one of New Orleans' most iconic songs, "Jock-a-Mo"), to his godmother Roberta Flack. Davell first gained recognition in the New Orleans gospel community at the tender age of 10, when he was featured as an accompanist to the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church choir. By the time Davell was 11, he was performing with the St. Joseph Baptist Church where he became the youth choir director, pianist and organist to the sanctuary and men’s choruses. Since then Davell has traveled the world conducting choral workshops and making appearances in gospel music. 
  • Russell Batiste Jr. - Most widely known for his drumming with the Funky Meters and Papa Grows Funk, Russell began his musical career at age seven with the Batiste Family Band. Russell went on to perform with The Charmaine Neville Band, Harry Connick Jr., Maceo Parker, Robbie Robertston and many others.
  • Mark Brooks - One of New Orleans' most sought-after bassists, Mark has worked with Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Henry Butler, Lou Rawls, Fats Domino, Ellis Hall Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Harry Connick Sr. 
  • Gerald French -His drumming style earned him the moniker of, "The Giant," and some of the musical giants who came before him were his own family, including his father George French, uncle Bob French and grandfather Albert "Papa" French who instilled Gerald with the music, heritage and tradition that inform and inspire Gerald French's music. Gerald continued to honor that tradition when he took over leadership of The Tuxedo Brass Band that was led by his uncle Bob and before him, Gerald's grandfather Albert. Gerald has a long history of performing with Reggie and other New Orleans musicians like Charmaine Neville, Dr John, Harry Connick Jr. Leroy Jones, Dr Michael White, Lillian Boutee and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
  • Chuck Chaplin - Classically trained on piano at Julliard, Chuck went on to perform with Gatemouth Brown, Bo Diddly, as well as many great New Orleans musicians.
Live at Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club, New Orleans (song clips)
Musicians on above gig:
Davell Crawford - piano, organ
Russell Batiste Jr. - drums
Mark Brooks - bass
Reggie Houston - saxophones
Chuck Chaplin - keyboards
Vanessa Carter - vocals
Tiffany Hayes-French - vocals
Joe Bridges - vocals
Ramona Adams - vocals
Miss George - vocals
Lyle Henderson - vocals, not featured in above clips
Studio Recordings