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testimonials

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Joan Baez

I met Alan in 1982 - he produced three of my albums, always holding my voice to its highest standards.

He has the combination of a tremendous musical savvy, wild enthusiasm, and the kind of irreverent sense of humor I needed to keep me from my own self-importance, and to in fact cause hysterics, which are a no-no in vocal discipline, but essential to the soul. His production work was brilliant and as a result of all the above, together we produced three of my favorite albums. 

We have remained close friends, he and I meet whenever possible to engage in, for the most part, utter nonsense. Maybe nonsense is a crucial component in record producing. We also share the belief that music can make the spirit rise up, and light the darkness for all God's children. 

-Joan Baez

Les Mccann

WHEN ALAN ABRAHAMS AND I MET, it was love at first sight. We’ve done so much together down through the years. We speak honestly with each other and there is nothing we can’t talk about. 

What touches me most about Alan is the great joy I always experience when I am with him. More than any soul on this Earth that I know, he is the ultimate. 

Alan is that guy I go to before I run it by God. He knows my heart and soul, he knows where I’m coming from, and he actually listens to me. He has my back and operates with no fear … I want to be like that. 

Our recordings and our times in the studio together are some of the greatest moments of my life. 

Our relationship is then, now, and forevermore. We are one, our bond is as strong as stone — and I know when we’re no longer on this plane that “Someday We’ll Meet Again.” 

-Les McCann 

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WWoz
New Orleans

Alan Abrahams combines art and heart. His record as a producer is testament to his commitment to present and preserve some of the United States’ and the world’s most seminal artists. His background and accomplishments are deep and long-standing. He was part of the team that brought Daryl Hall and John Oates to RCA and later became Executive Producer and head of the West Coast Artists & Repertoire department for that label. He’s produced 14 albums that topped the Billboard Gospel charts. He’s successfully produced artists as different as Joan Baez and Les McCann and has also produced international artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo . Mr. Abrahams productions have been recognized with many awards around the world. 

Determination is another central part of Alan Abrahams. He will make things happen, both as fast as possible and/or as long as it takes for them to happen. He pressed hard throughout his time as Director of Music Programming for the Louisiana International Film Festival, reaching out to radio stations such as WWOZ and outlets such as the Oxford American. He’s relentless, too, in working for the legacies of friends such as Merry Clayton. 

Sympathy is a third key part of Alan Abrahams. There’s a good reason that so many notable people hug Alan Abrahams (as seen in many photos)—Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Preston, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Odetta... among the artists he’s produced: they like him! 

 

This combination of commitment, determination, and sympathy--art and heart--make Alan ideal for preserving, promoting and elevating the music and other cultures from Louisiana to South Africa. 

- Maryse Déjean, WWOZ 

New Orleans. 

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Save His Nation 

  This kind of music, called Cultural Music, comes to you by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Dear people, it is not only a gift for the Black man but also a present from God for all generations to come, for God loves everybody.

  Today, we are working together with different nations, and it pleases me a lot to experience this moment. These people with whom we have been singing for the first time are full of love and joy.

  Those who are playing instruments so impressively prove that music is truly part of their lives, and that God is among us and uses the human being when creating and instructing new and wonderful things for the Nation.

  The marvelous job came about by Ladysmith Black Mambazo supporter, Mr. Alan Abrahams. We first met in 1988. We talked often by telephone, and I was very pleased when Alan told me he was prepared to give a hand in promoting my dream about improving our cultural music.

  Mr. Abrahams and I worked together with good cooperation and good spirit from the time we met until today. One day I asked him why he is always so willing to help for nothing. His response was as follows: “When you give more, you gain more.” Those words reminded me of the Book of Isaiah 61; verses 1-4 in the Bible — you can also read the whole chapter.

  This is a present from me to Alan Abrahams.

It will be our pleasure if the songs that we are singing for you right now give joy to all of you. What is special about them is that they serve as the prayer for bringing back hope. Please listen carefully, think deeply, and reconcile with your enemy. We pray that these songs bless everybody and heal the children of God, and that they become life to those who are sick.

  I will never forget in my life what happened in Los Angeles, the evening when we were all together, singers and instrument players. We prayed, and the heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit came down. That's what singing does; it pleases those who are disappointed and frustrated.

  Therefore, we say even to you, dear listeners: be happy, keep well, and BE FREE!

  To all those with whom we produced this album, I thank you; it was very nice to work with you.

- Joseph Shabalala

February 1997 

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Maxayn Lewis

It is extremely rare, in our industry to meet and maintain long-standing friendship or business partnerships. 

One certainly will find it difficult to meet anyone, who is well versed, talented, experienced and respected, in every aspect. Especially one who is willing to teach and enlighten others of the correct way to do things, or the pitfalls and snares that can, and do, often occur to those  who are “green” or uninformed. 

Such is the case with my fortuitous meeting with Alan Abrahams. Me, being the “green” one, with a fist full of dreams, and a deep love of music and inching my way through the maze of the recording industry, eager to show and prove my abilities in almost every genre, 

Alan Abrahams immediately recognized my potential. Through his projects, I have performed on many incredible productions, with famous artists who run the gamut.

He is my go to “Yoda”, wise, patient, and always kind. 

 

Whenever, I need clear and honest direction, Alan never fails, with thoughtfulness and expertise. 

With his lightening fast clever wit, he puts everyone at ease. His knowledge of musical history is top notch, with amazing recall. 

His presence and inclusion on any project raises the bar beyond all expectations.

 I’m fortunate to call him my long time friend.

Respect and warmest regards,

- Maxayn Lewis

Táta Vega

Alan Abrahams….To Know Him Is To Love Him.

 

Gifted Musician, Composer, Vocalist (He Can Saang Ya'll!), Record Producer, Manager And Business Man.


Mr. Abrahams Is A Warrior. A Man, Not Afraid To Stand Up For What He Believes In; A “Do Right Man,”. Wise, Brilliant, Honest And Humble.

I Love This Man, Deeply! He Understands The Needs And Wants Of Musicians And Vocalists Alike.      

The List Of Artists Alan Has Worked With, Is Absolutely Stunning And Untouchable. He Is A Gift To All Of Us. 
                           

- Táta Vega

         Vocalist-Songwriter-Percussionist

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Donald Taylor
l.a. Mass choir

1986 I GOT A CALL TO DO A RECORDING WITH THE LEGENDARY JOAN BAEZ.

AFTER THE RECORDING MY FRIEND LAYTHAN INTRODUCED ME TO HER PRODUCER ALAN ABRAHAMS, WHO WAS ALSO VICE PRESIDENT OF LIGHT RECORDS AT THE TIME. HE WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH ME AS A DIRECTOR THAT HE SIGNED ME AND L.A.MASS CHOIR TO LIGHT RECORDS. WE WERE VERY EXCITED AS ALAN HAD JUST PRODUCED A #1 ALBUM FOR THE NEW JERSEY MASS CHOIR AND WAS HAVING A STRING OF HITS WITH VICKIE WINANS, BEAU WILLIAMS AND COMMISSIONED.

HE PRODUCED OUR FIRST TWO ALBUMS “GIVE HIM THE GLORY” AND“CANT HOLD BACK” BOTH STAYED ON TOP OF THE BILLBOARD CHARTS (#1 and #2) FOR OVER A YEAR EACH AND WERE NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY AND WON MANY AWARDS INCLUDING THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD.

WE HAD MANY SONGS THAT ARE PERFORMED TODAY IN CHURCHES WORLDWIDE INCLUDING,“THAT’S WHEN YOU BLESS ME” “GRACE” (COVERED BY TD JAKES AND OTHERS). OUR SONGS PRODUCED BY ALAN HAVE BEEN ON DOZENS OF GOSPEL COMPILATIONS THROUGH TODAY.

 

EVEN THOUGH WE MOVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, OUR FRIENDSHIP IS STILL STRONG AND ALAN IS SUPPORTIVE OF ME AND L.A.MASS, THE NEXT GENERATION.

 

LOVE YOU MAN. LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING SOME MORE GREAT WORK WITH YOU AND THANKS FOR BEING IN OUR UPCOMING DOCUMENTARY.

 

DONALD TAYLOR

DIRECTOR OF THE L.A.MASS CHOIR

Pat thomas
world-renowned author

In today’s marketplace of over-produced pop music aimed at the masses, Alan Abrahams is a rare bird. A decades long veteran of the business–he still follows his heart rather than his wallet. He’s championed some of the very best artists in America; Joan Baez, Les McCann, Merry Clayton (all of whom have enjoyed mainstream success at various times)–but he’s also dedicated his time and energy to Blues and Gospel artists that aren’t going to be featured on the front cover of People magazine.The quality of music is always the most important factor in any project that Alan takes on as a producer, while as a manager; he’ll protect and defend the artist’s copyright to the death. As a born and bred Englishman, he understands and embraces the African-American music experience better than most people conceived on American soil.

 

Pat Thomas

Author of Listen, Whitey! the sights and sounds of Black Power 1965-1975

Co-editor and co-curator (with Alan Abrahams) of Invitation to

Openness: The Jazz and soul photography of Les McCann 1960-1980

A.Scott galloway
 

From my first encounter with Alan Abrahams in the `90s when I was Music Editor of Urban Network magazine and when he was the producer of an exceptional new CD by jazz great Les McCann, I was struck by his fervent passion for art, music specifically and creative people as a whole. I've come to fully-well know him as not just a fan but a dedicated, in-the-trenches supporter of some of the finest talent sharing the planet in his lifetime. When he came to me to contribute writing to a project he was working on for Mr. McCann decades after our first meeting and in the realm not of music but photography, I was honored that he sensed the same solidarity in terms of supporting great art and artists that I saw in him. In that sense we are brothers.Therefore I am enriched and empowered that he is a part of my creative family...with all due respect."

 

A. Scott Galloway

lauren onkey
rock and roll Hall Of Fame

“We worked with Alan in 2013 when we put together a tribute to The Rolling Stones. Merry Clayton was one of the first artists we reached out to, and Alan made it easy. He is a true professional in all his dealings, of course. But what’s great about Alan is that he’s passionate about the music and about the artists he represents. We had a lot of great conversations about Merry’s work, just fan to fan.”

 

Lauren OnKey

Executive Director

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Cleveland, Ohio

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