Lifting Jesus Up, Down in New Orleans

Hack Bartholomew

A sweet and mellow refrain of "The Old Rugged Cross" drifted our way this morning as we approached the Cafe Du Monde for coffee, orange juice and a plateful of beignets doused in powdered sugar. We'd just finished a crisp morning stroll along the New Orleans Riverwalk, and we were about to meet Hack Bartholomew, a street musician who began his music ministry at age seven, playing trumpet and singing at Mount Mariah Baptist Church in New Orleans. That's where the great Mahalia Jackson began her singing career.

24 hours a day, outdoor table service

Hack was hawking his "Lifting Jesus Up Down In New Orleans" CD this morning and put down his silver trumpet long enough to press hard on our compassion buttons. If we would buy his CD, he said, we'd help the ministry: low income housing, unwed mothers, homeless people, the drug addicted, the down-trodden. The price of one CD seemed awful reasonable for all that good work, but we were still in our frugal senior mode. After all, we left the car at home today and instead rode the Magazine Street bus downtown for 40 cents apiece. Now we were thinking about taking the free ferry across the Mississippi just to see what was on the other side.
Hack was persistent, but we deferred, saying we'd think about it over coffee and juice, which we did. Meantime, Hack went back to his trumpet, gently preaching "Just a Closer Walk" to just another morning-after crowd of French Quarter sinners in need of his Gospel message.
Here's a taste on YouTube.

From Facebook:
 HACK began his formal musical training at the Mc Donogh No. 24 Elementary School where he played for an entire year before his instructor realized he could not read music and was playing by ear the whole time. That summer Mrs. Moton, his band director, taught him to read music. Later in Junior High School, "HACK" was taught to read and play Jazz and Contemporary music by one of New Orleans premier Jazz trumpet players, Mr. Clyde Kerr, Sr. He attended Booker T. Washington Senior High School in New Orleans where he was introduced to classical music. HACK had the opportunity to study three years with Mr. George Genson the principal trumpet player in the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Upon receiving the John Phillip Sousa award for outstanding bandsman, under the direction of Ernest G. Chachere, "HACK" Bartholomew attended Grambling State University on a full music scholarship.

HACK now plays at the Café Du Monde beignet house, one of New Orleans' major tourist spots. He plays the trumpet, sings and ministers the word of God to a captivated audience. Through the anointing of God, HACK wins souls to Christ almost daily. God has allowed him to minister to people from all over the world. HACK gets satisfaction from seeing these people come to Christ. HACK has worked with Cyril Neville singing 'Witness', a song that he and Cyril co-wrote. He also plays trumpet and piano on the song. He assisted in writing 'Holy Spirit' featured on the Neville's album "Sacred Ground". He was the Minister of Music at the Neville's family church Trinity United Methodist in New Orleans. He is a member of Greater Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church pastored by the renowned Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., where he plays trumpet for the Inspirational Choir. HACK's latest work is his CD entitled Holy Ghost Transfusion.