CHICAGO’S BLACK CHURCH COMMUNITY MOURNS ONE OF THE GREATEST GOSPEL MUSIC DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS IN THE NATION

JAMES LOTT SUCCUMBS AT 53 YEARS OF AGE
James Lott, One of the national greatest Gospel Music Record Label Executive, Director and Producer
James Lott, One of the national greatest Gospel Music Record Label Executive, Director and Producer

 

CHICAGO’S BLACK CHURCH COMMUNITY MOURNS ONE OF THE GREATEST GOSPEL MUSIC DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS IN THE NATION

 

JAMES LOTT SUCCUMBS AT 53 YEARS OF AGE

Bishop Larry D. Trotter-Senior Pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago- will be joined by 1000 Gospel Music Artists, Musicians, Chicago residents and fans of Gospel Music as Chicago Gospel Music Industry Icon James Lott will be laid to rest, Saturday, June 12, 2021. Lott died on Saturday, June 5th at Trinity Hospital after a battling an illness over the past few months.


“Chicago has lost a true pioneer of Gospel Music here in Chicago. James Lott launched many successful careers of some of the best Gospel Recording Artist in the world. He was an awesome record label executive, director, and producer. But moreover, he was a stellar person with a heart of gold. This is a huge loss within the Gospel Music Industry.” says Bishop Trotter.


With Bishop Larry Trotter as his pastor, James began directing the Sweet Holy Spirit Church Concert Choir at the age of fourteen. After years of the directing choir, he became the minister of music, and the choir began to grow under his leadership.  James was intricately involved in the first recordings of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church. He has traveled with the choir to places such as Germany, Bahamas, Baltimore, Miami and many more.  James really thought the Sweet Holy Spirit Church Concert Choir was HIS choir.


James had a vision of Sweet Holy Spirit Church establishing their own record label. In 2005, Utopia was established. Under his oversight, many artists were recorded including Sweet Holy Spirit Concert Choir; Pastor Nancy Wilson (Greensboro, North Carolina), Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Warriors, United Pentecostal Churches of Christ Mass Choir, Mark Hubbard and United Voices, Todd Rasean Buckley, Montrae Tisdale and Friends (Oklahoma City) and LaVargna Hubbard.


But moreover, James Lott performed, directed, worked, and assisted some of the greatest Gospel Recording Artist in the industry. This includes Vashawn Mitchell,

Rickey Dillard, BeBe Winans, Jennifer Hudson, and Paul S. Morton just to name a short few.


I have known James Lott for over two decades and considered him a friend. His contributions to the Gospel Music community were invaluable. I learned so much from him and will miss him dearly.” says Grammy Award winning Gospel Artist Vashawn Mitchell.


During Mr. Lott’s homegoing service the City of Chicago will present a proclamation declaring Saturday, June 12th, as James Lott day here in the City of Chicago.


“I’ve worked closely with James Lott for nearly three decades or more. He was the consummate professional who loved God, his Church, and the City of Chicago. I’ve lost a friend and brother to whom I admired as a man and as a brother in Christ.” says Chicago Area Publicist Sean Howard.


God called James home on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 1245 a.m. James is preceded in death by his parents Charles Almars Sr. and Dorothy Lott; sister Tonjia and brother Cedric. James leaves to cherish his fond memories his mother, Betty Holmes Lott; siblings: Michael, Keshia, Derrick, Demetrius, Charles Jr.; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; goddaughter, Avery Edwards; best friend, Antoine Bell; Sweet Holy Spirit Choir, Bishop Larry Trotter and a host of friends and loved ones.


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