September Is Gospel Music Heritage Month!
 

(the late) Rev. James Moore
 

SEPTEMBER IS GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH - (the late) Rev. James Moore

This is (the late) Rev. James Moore (February 1, 1956 – June 7, 2000). Moore was well known throughout the gospel recording industry for his powerful vocal abilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im2tB6tQ-FE

SEPTEMBER IS GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH - Mahalia Jackson
 

This is (the late) Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972). With her powerful contralto voice, Mahalia Jackson became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and is known as "THE WORLD'S GREATEST GOSPEL SINGER." She recorded about 35 albums during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds"—million-sellers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscK8V4Veac

"The Father of Gospel Music" Thomas A. Dorsey
 

Thomas A. Dorsey (July 1, 1899 - January 23, 1993) is known as "the father of gospel music."

As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. His conception also deviates from what had been, to that time, standard hymnal pr...actice by referring explicitly to the self, and the self's relation to faith and God, rather than the individual subsumed into the group via belief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA0UV62zQFc

One of my favorites is Ethel Waters singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

Clara Ward
 

Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973) was an American gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers.

A gifted singer and arranger, Ward took the lead-switching style used by male gospel quartets to new heights, leaving room for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group while giving virtuouso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to step forward in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" (which she wrote; one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire), and "Packin' Up".

Ward ranks among the greatest of gospel singers along with "Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Clark Sisters, and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhrJ8qITUUs

Edwin Hawkins
 

Edwin Hawkins (born 18 August 1943, Oakland, California) is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir master, composer and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (and the Edwin Hawkins Singers) are best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69).

When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing "Oh Happy Day", it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. #4 and UK #2 and #1 in the German Singles Charts in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD2D6eter7M