Trials haven't shaken Rosalie Washington's faith.
Affectionately known as "The Tambourine Lady," Washington continues to shake her tambourine in praise — whether it be at Gloryland Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, the Jazz Festival in New Orleans and just about anywhere else.
"I just bring that scripture to life that says 'praise him with the tambourine and the dance,'" said Washington, who moved to Baton Rouge 20 years ago after being evacuated from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
Washington, 68, first performed at the gospel tent at the Jazz Festival in 1992, serving as a backup with a family singing group from Violet. Washington became a highly sought performer in her own right and eventually earned "The Tambourine Lady" moniker.
She said she has performed at Jazz Fest every year, except the year after Katrina. Washington has participated in a variety of events, including at Southern University football games. She has gained viral fame and appeared in movies and TV shows.
Born in New Orleans, Washington was raised in Denham Springs by her godparents in the Church of God in Christ denomination.
Tambourines have been in Washington's hands since she was 5 years old. That was shortly after she witnessed her godmother passionately sing the hymn "Power, Lord" while playing the tambourine.
"I said, 'She can make fire with a tambourine. I wish I could play like that,' and the rest is history," said Washington, a graduate of Denham Springs High and Southern University.
Her extraordinary talent was evident early, but she didn't realize it as early as everyone else.
While she grew up on gospel music in the church, it was the rhythm and blues — by way of The O'Jays — that helped get Washington saved at age 17.
"I went to an O'Jays concert and went to sleep. My friend said, 'Girl, we could have left you at home if you were going to go to sleep at an O'Jays concert,'" Washington recalled.
That served as her wake-up call.
"I said, 'Lord, I want to go to church and get saved,'" she said. "Like my momma said, the Lord gives me power to live right, power to walk right and the power to talk right."
That power has carried Washington through trying times: being displaced by Katrina, raising three children largely on her own and the heartbreak of losing her 34-year-old son Dantonio last year.
"My son's smile would make your day," she said. "He was gifted in arts and music. He was a good kid."
The Lord gives her the strength to keep going — and shaking her tambourines.
"If I didn't have him in my life, I could do nothing," she said, "but with him, everything is possible."