JOYFUL & The Spirit of New Orleans has been delivering their own brand of soulful Gospel music to enthusiastic audiences all over the world for more than 3 decades.  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, they were privileged to visit some 1,000 different cities in more than ten European Countries, fifty festivals and a multitude of clubs.

The group was formed in 1980 by duo Alfred and Loretta Caston, along with father and son team, Jessie and Reginald Veal (former bassist for Wynton Marsalis’ group).  Today, the group is fronted by Alfred Caston, Albert Mickel and Jan Randolph.

JOYFUL started performing at the famed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  It was there, in fact, that they got their first European gig,  as the festival is a hot spot for promoters the world over.  Logging more than 50 international shows a year, JOYFUL & SONO is New Orleans’ most travelled gospel group.

JOYFUL has authored 7 independent label recordings; several European labels as well as on their own Rampart Street Music label.  Their biggest chart songs, to-date, were two classic re-makes.  If I Had A Hammer” and “People Get Ready.”  Current releases, “9th Ward Revival” and “Caught in the Middle” are selling well in Europe.  In 2011, JOYFul  released their latest CD entitled, “Let Freedom Reign.”

In the early nineties, JOYFUL became a favorite on the Hollywood scene at R&B Live, one of California’s most prestigious clubs for the stars, and worked with the likes of STACY LATISAW, EARTH, WITH & FIRE, and DOUG E. FRESH, just to name a few.  They have played great club venues from New York City to Athens Greece, famous Cathedrals and theatres in Italy, Switzerland,  Portugal, Spain, Germany, France, Croatia, Slovenia,  Austria and  Poland.