Gospel grew out of traditional spirituals and hymns and the Pentecostal revivalism that was taking place at the turn of the century.

Though Take 6 writes original material, traditional spirituals dressed up in modern harmonies are the backbone of its repertory.

The program ended with the Ailey classic "Revelations," set to traditional spirituals but presumably an honorary Ellington work for the evening.

A man of devout religious conviction, Mr. Estes sang four traditional spirituals with stentorian rectitude.

Burleigh introduced Dvořák to traditional American spirituals.

Their early repertoire consisted mostly of traditional spirituals, but included some Stephen Foster songs.

The experience led him away from operatic performance toward an earlier love: traditional spirituals:

And the interpolation of nearly a dozen traditional spirituals, sung either a cappella or with minimal accompaniment, goes a long way toward binding up the show's loose ends.

Music unfolds like a random shuffle on an iPod, shifting between traditional spirituals and pop.

The evening came to a triumphant end with "Revelations," set to traditional black spirituals.