Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) was an American gospel singer, known as the "Queen of Gospel Song." Growing up in a strict religious environment, she began singing in the church choir and was recognized for her contralto voice. Jackson gained public attention in the 1930s, touring and singing gospel songs such as "He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands." Her hit song, "Move on Up a Little Higher," appeared in 1945.

Identified with songs influenced by biblical themes and blues, Jackson sang only religious songs and performed at Carnegie Hall annually starting in 1950. She appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957 and at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. Active in the civil rights movement, she sang at the March on Washington in 1963 before Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Mahalia Jackson, known as the "Queen of Gospel Song," was an American gospel music singer. Her music was rooted in biblical themes and influenced by the harmonies, rhythms, and emotional force of blues music. All the songs she became known for, such as "I Believe," "Just over the Hill," and "When I Wake Up in Glory," were gospel songs.

Jackson's career took off in the 1930s, and she gained wide recognition for her gospel tours and recordings. Her hit song "Move on Up a Little Higher," released in 1945, was notable for its use of the "vamp," a repeated phrase that allows for solo improvisation. She sang at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957 and at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 and was active in the civil rights movement, singing at the March on Washington in 1963.

Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) was an American gospel music singer, known as the "Queen of Gospel Song".

Jackson's career took off in the 1930s with gospel tours and songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Her 1945 hit, "Move on Up a Little Higher," was notable for its use of the "vamp," a repeated phrase that allows solo improvisation.

She sang only gospel songs with religious texts influenced by blues harmonies and rhythms. Jackson performed on radio, television, and at Carnegie Hall annually starting in 1950. Eight of her records sold over a million copies each. She was also popular internationally; her version of "Silent Night" was a best-seller in Denmark.

Mahalia Jackson, known as the "Queen of Gospel Song," significantly influenced gospel music through her remarkable contralto voice and incorporation of blues elements. Her 1945 hit, "Move on Up a Little Higher," notably used the "vamp," an indefinitely repeated phrase that allowed solo improvisation. Jackson's refusal to sing anything but religious songs and her appearances on radio and television broadened the audience for gospel music. She performed to overflow crowds in annual concerts at Carnegie Hall, and eight of her records sold over a million copies each. Jackson toured internationally and was often broadcast on television and radio.