Share

Mahalia Jackson biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

  • PLACE OF DEATH: Evergreen Park, Illinois
more about Mahalia

Best Known For

Soulful gospel singer Mahalia Jackson was known for her powerful voice. An active supporter of civil rights, she sang at the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Synopsis

Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson was born on Oct. 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the 1920s, she moved to Chicago and joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church gospel choir. The song "Move Up a Little Higher" was her first big success. It sold a millio

Contents

Profile

Gospel singer. Born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mahalia Jackson became a leading singer in Gospel music, known for her rich, powerful voice. A devout Baptist, she still found time for secular sounds of such blues artists as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey.

After moving to Chicago in the late 1920s, Mahalia Jackson joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church, and soon became a member of the Johnson Gospel Singers. She performed with the group for a number of years. After singing with the Johnson Gospel Singers, Jackson started working with Thomas A. Dorsey, a Gospel composer. She also worked a number of jobs before her musical career took off.

While she made some recordings in the 1930s, Mahalia Jackson had her first taste of success with "Move Up a Little Higher" in 1947, which sold a million copies. She became more in demand, making radio and television appearances. Jackson also had a successful tour abroad in 1952, and became especially popular in France. She even had her own gospel program on the CBS television network in 1954 and scored a hit with "Rusty Old Halo" that same year. In 1958, she appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, performing with Duke Ellington and his band.

Mahalia Jackson became an active supporter of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. She sang at the March on Washington at the request of her friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. After King's death in 1968, Jackson sang at his funeral and largely withdrew from public political activities.

In her later years, Mahalia Jackson had several hospitalizations for various health problems. She died of a heart attack on January 27, 1972. She is remembered for her strong, soul-like delivery, her deep commitment to her faith, and her lasting influence on musicians from all of different types of musical genres.

© 2012 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT

GetGlue

9351242 9351242
profile id: 9351242
profile name: Mahalia Jackson
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9351242
related profile name: Mahalia Jackson
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/J/Mahalia-Jackson-9351242-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/mahalia-jackson-9351242
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!