Black Cat Productions - Music and Event Planning

Biographical Sketch of

Clark J. Knighten

Clark J. Knighten, is the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Marrero, Louisiana and the owner of Black Cat Productions, LLC. Clark is a graduate of Xavier University and has done post graduate studies at the University of New Orleans and Loyola University of New Orleans. In addition to his responsibilities as Director of Liturgy, Music and teacher at St. Joseph the Worker church and school, Mr. Knighten is well-known throughout the country as a composer and clinician.

He has served as a liturgical musician and presenter at many national religious workshops and conferences including Unity Explosion (1996, 1999, 2003, 2005 & 2008) the Florida African American Catholic Gatherings (2000 & 2004, & 2008), Johannes Hoffinger Conference, National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and the National Catholic Educators Association. He has also served as a music consultant on many local and national programs, TV, and radio broadcasts. Recently, Mr. Knighten was asked to serve as a musical casting consultant and resource person for a two major movie being filmed in the New Orleans area. De Ja Vu in 2006 and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (2007) He also helped coordinate and was featured in an episode of K-Ville a TV drama about Post –Katrina New Orleans.

Among his published liturgical compositions is the Mass of the Caribbean Dreamer, which is one of only four masses approved and recommended by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In 2001, Clark completed and released his first CD collection Created Anew, featuring St. Joseph the Worker’s Music Ministry. That project was followed by the release of two collections of instrumental Christmas music A Few Good Friends At Christmas released in 2004 and Christmas Wonders released in 2006. Presently, he is working on several projects, including 2 CD collections that are planned for release later this year.

Under his musical leadership, the St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry was chosen to participate in the inaugurations of Mayor C. Ray Nagin (2002 & 2006), Governor Kathleen Blanco (2004) and Governor Bobby Jendal (2008). In addition, the Music Ministry has made four consecutive appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as well as working with him in De Ja Vu, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, K-Ville, and commercials for ESPN Monday Night Football and Aucoin Hart Jewelers. He also enjoys playing Jazz, Old School and Popular music as he and his group, The4 x 4 (Four by Four) Connection are known throughout the area participating at many conventions, private parties, banquets, receptions and festivals!