be giving a special concert in Bermuda this Sunday.

Joshua Nelson, who says he was certainly inspired by her -- and has inherited Eddie Robinson, Mahalia's pianist for 20 years -- will be singing at the Hamilton Seventh-Day Adventist Youth Centre, in aid of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association.

Mr. Nelson has performed alongside Winton Marsalis, Cab Calloway, and the late Dizzie Gillespie, and he also sang at the funeral of jazz diva, Sarah Vaughan.

He has appeared at the Avery Fisher and Carnegie Halls in New York.

Internationally, he was invited to sing in the Nenyanay Haoomah Hall in Jerusalem, Israel, where he sang the National `Hatikvah' for the Israeli president.

One of the youngest ministers of music in the US, at the Hopewell Baptists Church in Newark, New Jersey, he graduated from that city's Arts High school, where Sarah Vaughan also trained.

Largely through the efforts of the late Margaret Carter, The Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association was formed 25 years ago ago to raise awareness of and improve facilities for a group of people whose rights had been somewhat neglected up to that time.

Acting Chairman Mr. Willard Fox, points out that although the Association has come a very long way since those early days (eventually gaining coverage for the handicapped under the Human Rights Act) there is still much to be done in improving the facilities for the handicapped in Bermuda.

Funds are needed to maintain the various services offered by the Association, some of which include education, travel and specialised equipment. "We also use fund-raising money for the hydraulic bus fund and to help out our members at Christmas,'' he says. "We also run a workshop which enables people to earn a small wage. Our latest fight has been to improve access for the physically handicapped on our public transportation systems. We also arrange for our bus to meet the cruise ships and to go to the airport when handicapped people come here on vacation. We take them to their hotels and also give them a tour of the Island. We also give tickets to the geriatric ward at the hospital and at Hope Homes so that they can attend our annual party.'' Mr. Fox says that their biggest expenses are the purchase of gas and the maintenance of the buses. I hope that everyone will support this event to raise funds. We would also like to say that we would like to hear from anyone who can offer assistance to the Association.'' Joshua Nelson's concert is presented by Betty Tucker and Friends and takes place at the Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Youth Centre on King Street on Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 (adults) and $10 for children if booked in advance, and $20 at the door ($10 for senior citizens).

Please telephone 295-3568 or 295-3507 for further information.

GOSPEL GREAT -- Joshua Nelson comes to Bermuda this weekend to give a benefit concert for the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association.