Mahalia Jackson, born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was revered as one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and was known as "The Queen of Gospel." Her soul-stirring voice and deeply emotional delivery brought gospel music into the mainstream, crossing racial and geographic boundaries, and earning her international acclaim. Growing up in a devoutly religious home, Jackson began singing as a child at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church. By 1927, she relocated to Chicago, where she continued to develop her vocal skills and became actively involved in the thriving gospel music scene.

Throughout her illustrious career, Jackson never wavered from her gospel roots, despite the lucrative lure of secular music. Her powerful contralto voice became synonymous with spiritual uplift and civil rights advocacy, often performing at rallies led by Martin Luther King Jr., including the historic March on Washington in 1963. Her recordings of songs like "Get Away Jordan" and "Elijah Rock" are considered classics, and her live performances, as captured on releases such as "Mahalia Jackson Live At Newport 1958" and "Mahalia Jackson In Concert Easter Sunday, 1967", showcased the intensity and fervor of her faith. Mahalia Jackson's impact on gospel and popular music remains profound; she passed away on January 27, 1972, but her legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and music lovers around the world.

Genres

Gospel

Spirituals

Related Artists

Aretha Franklin

Mavis Staples

The Staple Singers

Sam Cooke

Clara Ward

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The Clark Sisters

Whitney Houston

Dinah Washington

Patti LaBelle

Yolanda Adams

The Soul Stirrers

Latest Release

Get Away Jordan

Mahalia Jackson

Album - 20 Tracks - Released February 3, 2023