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Carnegie Hall’s ‘Be the Light’ livestream keeps things upbeat

Are we starved for positive messages or what? I found some, appropriately enough, during the just-completed Easter/passover season in a virtual offering from the free “Live With Carnegie Hall” livestream series. Producers Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew hosted an hour of R&B and gospel music titled “Be the Light: A Joyful Celebration” that’s intended to uplift, inspire and bridge the sociopolitical and cultural divides tormenting us as a nation.

Reflecting that mission is the opening video performance in the show: six-time Grammy winner Israel Houghton’s collaboration with Azi Schwartz, cantor of New York City’s Park Avenue Synagogue, on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” That’s followed by singer-songwriter Kenny Lattimore and a gifted college student covering Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy, Mercy Me,” then Ray Chew, on keyboards accompanied by an electric violinist, doing Yolanda

Adams’ “What

About the Children.” Also seen and heard on video are R&b/soul artist Cory Henry covering Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free,” gospel duo Kierra Sheard Kelly and Karen Clark Sheard, and, in a rousing

Zoom segment, the House

Gospel Choir of London. The “Be the Light” program can be streamed on Youtube. The “Live With Carnegie Hall” programming is diverse, socially engaged and entertaining, even if its offerings are not from inside the famed, 130year-old building. Both archival presentations, such as those that featured Judy Collins or Audra Mcdonald or paid tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and upcoming shows are available for streaming. carnegiehall.org

Vivian Scott Chew and Ray Chew