 Mahalia Jackson
1911 - 1972
She was truly a child of God and she became a legend while she was still alive! She loved to sing the gospel. At the age of five, she was singing every Sunday in Church. Mahalia, loved to open up the windows and doors and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Jazz great Bessie Smith tried to influence Mahalia into singing the Blues, but Mahalia preferred Gospel Music. She told Bessie: "Blues are fun to listen to, but I am saved and I remember what David said in the Bible." "Sing joyfuly unto the Lord with a loud voice!" And Mahalia took his advice. She was a singer every weekend, at South Side Greater Baptist Church in New Orleans. She grew as she traveled thoughout the midwest. The first gospel song she wrote and recorded: "I'm Going To Move On Up A Little Higher" was a personal statement. It sold over a million copies, mostly to Black audiences through word-of-mouth. White audiences soon discovered her spiritual, "Swing Low, Sweet
Chariot", and "Oh What A Friend We Have In Jesus." These songs are still being sung today. Some have been rearranged differently, but the feeling of Mahalia remains in her songs and in our memories. Forever Was, Forever Will Be.
I AM WOMAN....I AM A BLACK WOMAN!
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