B2901

American Music - Gospel Singers

Mahalia Jackson/Sister Rosetta 

Collins Cover Announcement 

Gospel Singers

This two-cover offering honors four stars from the world of gospel music. The issue continues the very popular Legends of American Music Series. The title "gospel music" is used to describe religious songs and hymns of praise associated with evangelism. The African-American traditions of gospel music were born from the music sung during slavery and also church spirituals of the late 19th Century. Present day gospel music maintains that strong spiritual base and adds the rhythms of jazz and blues.

The beautiful Clara Ward was born in Philadelphia in 1924 and was known as the "Charismatic Gospel Queen" She was a singer, pianist, and composer of over 200 songs. Outside the church, she also performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, in Las Vegas, and at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Roberta Martin was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1907 and is considered by some to be the greatest of all contributors to gospel music. In the 1930s she became a pianist for the choir at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Chicago. She organized the Martin Singers and developed the gospel choral sound. Young musicians often joined her group to study under her guidance, and she became a highly successful publisher of gospel music.

Mahalia Jackson was born in New Orleans in 1911 and became simply known as the "Queen of Gospel." She developed a singing style that brought the sound of blues to slow hymns. She gave worldwide concerts, brought gospel to radio, to Hollywood, and to television. She sold millions of records, and her lifelong philosophy was that "gospel songs are songs of hope."

Rosetta Nubin was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas in 1915 and was known as "Little Sister" when performing in Chicago at the age of six. She became known for her expert guitar playing and her boundless energy. Her musical style was more secular, and, at times, she would play the blues or even use the timing of a swing band. Sister Rosetta was known for her famous smile and was a great inspiration to all the gospel singers that followed her.

With two stamps on each cover, I am now delighted to offer my pair of Colins FDCs for these famous spiritual gospel singers. They are fine additions to the Legends of American Music Series. Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta (B2901) plus Clara Ward and Roberta Martin (B2902) at $12.75 each.