Sunday Service, Reimagined: Cory Henry Builds a Gospel Community At Inglewood’s Miracle Theater (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

Keyboardist, vocalist, and bandleader Cory Henry won a Grammy in 2025 for his Church album, which contains a collection of songs inspired by his church upbringing and experiences in Brooklyn, NY. He has created a monthly concert series based on that musical inspiration. The series takes place on the last Sunday of each month at The Miracle Theater in Inglewood, CA, and offers a mix of soul, gospel, and jazz presented as part concert, part communal gathering. The show on April 29, 2026, was an uplifting evening of powerful performances that delivered a soulful experience to a sold-out crowd.  

Henry has lived in Los Angeles for the past 10 years and was looking for a local venue to perform regularly, rather than continuing a non-stop touring schedule (he was previously with Snarky Puppy, toured with Stevie Wonder, and tours with The Heavyweights, his new trio). Henry decided to perform repeatedly in his new hometown and cultivate a community in Inglewood. The Sunday shows at The Miracle Theater have been selling out regularly and will celebrate a one-year anniversary on April 26. Each show features invited guest artists, a house band of stellar musicians, and a full choir.

Henry opened the show with four supporting musicians. Mike Bereal (Snoop Dogg) and Jeremy Jeffers were on keyboards, Erick Walls (Beyonce, The Black-Eyed Peas) played guitar, Robert “Sput” Searight (The Heavyweights, Snarky Puppy, and Ghost Note) was on drums, and Quantae “Q” Johnson (Zion Messengers and TI) played bass. Henry played the harpejji, a hybrid electric instrument that combines a piano-like note layout with lap steel guitar string mechanics. Henry used a finger-tapping technique not unlike playing piano keys. After his beautifully haunting solo instrumental, the quintet joined Henry, and he eventually switched to his Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer. Henry’s vocals shone on “The Lord Is Blessing Me” by Bishop Larry Trotter and Sweet Holy Spirit, and a few gospel church standards, including “This Little Light of Mine.” 

Since March was Women’s History Month, Henry made sure to showcase some extremely talented women. As several performers came onstage, Henry introduced them as “the ladies of the church experience.” They included singer and choir director Matia Celeste Washington and five other vocalists. The ladies performed powerful, moving gospel tunes with Henry, accompanied by an all-women, all-star band that replaced the original quintet. Kat Dyson (Prince’s New Revolution Band) was on guitar; Lynette Williams (Childish Gambino and Lizzo) played organ; Briana Washington was on keyboards (Kehlani); Zuri Appleby was on bass (Cee-Lo Green, Snoop Dogg, and Lizzo), and Tk Johnson played drums (Bartees Strange). Matia Celeste Washington passionately belted out “Name It, Claim It” by The Clark Sisters and a few other gospel songs with brilliant harmonic accompaniment from the other singers. A few of the other vocalists also took impressive vocal solos.

As if that was not enough talent to fill the theater with angelic music, eight more female vocalists from the Apostle Community Choir came onstage to join the other singers. They harmonized on a few more songs before the male vocalists from the choir joined in, and the complete company of musicians, led by Henry, filled the theater with soulful energy. Eventually, the female instrumentalists were replaced by the original quintet members, and Henry led them, along with the full choir, on some of his solo material, including songs from Church. “He Watches Over Me” was an emotional ballad he wrote in January 2025 on the day of the Eaton and Palisades fires, to try to uplift his and everyone else’s spirits. Another moving, inspirational song, “The Promise,” ended the show, with Henry’s powerful vocals supported by the choir’s synchronized, booming harmonies.

It was a decidedly inspirational, church-like experience – a gospel, Baptist one with enthusiastic audience participation. People stood, danced, waved their arms, sang along, and shouted out “Hallelujah” and “Praise the Lord.” Periodically, Henry went into the crowd and danced along with them in the aisles while the band kept playing. The Church Experience shows will continue on the last Sunday of each month. If you find yourself in Los Angeles and are in search of some uplifting spiritual music with a great sense of community, Cory Henry’s Church Experience at The Miracle Theater is the show to cure what ails you.

Live photos courtesy of Andy J. Gordon ©2026