performers back

Jean Johnson Witherspoon ~ SPECIAL GUEST

Jean Johnson Witherspoon was born in East Los Angeles, California to the late Pastor John and Veasther Corbin. At the age of five she began piano lessons. By the time she was thirteen years old, Jean was sole musician at the Greater Holy Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Jean continued her studies in music for the next twelve years at the Walsh Conservatory School of Music. Jean is an ordained and licensed minister with a Bachelor Degree in Theology. Jean landed her first break in the music entertainment industry as one of the Vandellas of Martha and the Vandellas, singing songs like Jimmie Mac and Dancing in the Streets. Later on Jean would be with other leading artists, such as Michael Jackson on the Bad Album, Man in the Mirror, Free Willy and his later recording Unbreakable; Madonna’s Like a Prayer; Quincy Jones Color Purple; Stevie Wonder; Julio Argyles; and leading lady Gladys Knight. Soon thereafter, Jean would place first in the National Dream Girls Contest with Jennifer Holiday and landed a role as the leading vocalist in Little Shop of Horrors and Date With an Angel. Jean’s big break would later come when she was asked by recording artist and Grammy recipient, Andre Crouch, to perform on his next album as the lead vocalist in He’s Worthy, My Soul Loves Only You and Completely Yes. Completely Yes earned Jean her first Grammy Award. Jean is currently the Minister of Music at Heritage Christian Church in Menifee.

Jean will be backed up by her dynamic band. Ted Young is one of the band members and worked at Oak Grove in the early 90s. We are so excited to have Ted work on a project that benefits the kids of Oak Grove!