James Brown played the singing Reverend in the movie The Blues Brothers.
James Brown featured as the Reverend led and co-directed the Southern California Community Choir, assisted by the choir's real Assistant Director, Alonzo Atkins. Alonzo Atkins was Assistant Director of the real life choir and dearly departed gospel legend Reverend James Cleveland was the director of the choir, although Reverend Cleveland was not featured in the movie.
Chakha Kahn played a small role as one of the choir's soloists. The rest of the choir were all real long-time members.
The Southern California Community Choir was the choir featured on Aretha Franklin's all gospel Amazing Grace album. Reverend James Cleveland performed a solo and duet with Aretha Franklin on the album. Reverend Cleveland coached Aretha Franklin when she was a young child growing up in her Daddy's Detroit Church.