Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson.
Courtesy George T. Nierenberg.

No artist brought more acclaim to gospel music than Mahalia Jackson. She was born in 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Chicago when she was 15. At 22, she had become a well known local singer. She brought a southern style of singing with her to the North. Her interest in gospel music, combined with the power and emotive quality of her voice gave her a rare presence when she sang. Dorsey had heard her as early as 1928, but it wasn't until 1937 that they began to work together. Their collaboration would last 14 years.

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