Jazz Gospel Central

Some of the most renowned artists and influences of the Gospel Jazz realm are musical giants. Gospel Jazz is not just instrumental, but includes a whole host of vocal expressionists and stylists as well, and in some ways represents some of the most essential contributions to the music industry and historical foundation, as a whole. Some of these great Gospel Jazz Pioneers and architects of the genre might surprise you.

DARYL COLEY - A Singer's Singer-A Voice Divine
By Terrence Richburg © 2009

A voice heaven-crafted and infinitely ordained like that of Daryl Coley's is inevitably destined to touch the world of music in countless encounters without regard to stylistic boundaries or labels--which ultimately are only necessary for the human mind to grasp. Nevertheless, Coley's voice exists outside those very boundaries of human understanding for the awesome gift that it is. He is intimately versed and comfortably at home musically in the world of Jazz and Classical as much as he is with traditional and contemporary Gospel music and is loved by the diverse listeners and fans of these genres universally. Coley has been given many titles including "a singer's singer," but I would boldly affirm that if there was one male voice designed specifically by God to sing for Him it would be that of Daryl Coley. His flawless articulation and impeccable vocal technique is extraordinary and unmatched among his peers. His effortless command of improvisational skills and vocal control are equally as impressive. Even Coley's smooth vocal contour and rich texture, pouring out like crystal clear water captivates the ear's attention like no other.

However, Coley's most exceptional quality is his ability to take a song and use his voice as a spiritual guide to impart to each member of his audience the flow and depth of emotion and experiential wealth intended not only from the singer's and writer's perspective, but also from God's own personal touch and eternal revelation. Daryl Coley was born in Berkley, California in 1955 and raised in Oakland, California, where he spent the major portion of his early developmental years informally mentored by his upbringing in the church and his mother's love also as a vocalist for Gospel, Classical and Jazz music. During Coley's teenage era, he attended vocal and instrumental training (learning clarinet and piano--self-taught) in school bands and regional choirs up until 1977; when he moved on to perform with the famous Hawkins Family. Daryl excelled as a singer with Edwin Hawkins and later as a songwriter and musical director for Tramaine Hawkins, until he left to team up with James Cleveland in 1983.

Later Coley collaborated with Jazz artists Nancy Wilson and Rodney Franklin and also pop singer Philip Bailey. Coley has enjoyed a ceaseless string of chart-topping album projects and award nominations. Additionally he has worked with some of the music industry's most talented and trailblazing artists including such greats as Stevie Wonder, Ramsey Lewis, Richard Smallwood, Sylvester, Quincy Jones, Allen & Allen and more. Coley has soared as a recording artist logging a ground-breaking anthology of more than 100 studio performances; nevertheless his defining strength and signature appeal has always been that of his live concerts.

Live, Daryl Coley is entirely in his element, capturing the essence of the music, lyrics and heartbeat of the moment--instinctively sensing the flow of any emotional and spiritual need of the audience. His consistent artistry in maximizing the live performance opportunity remains unsurpassed. One of the most amazing performances I ever witnessed was during a Bobby Jones Gospel concert taping where Daryl Coley and the late great Rev. James Moore traded classical and improvisational runs, jazz riffs and scats, gut-authored growls, and astounding vocal mastery on the same stage together--a truly magical yet anointed moment witnessed by many in Gospel Music history.

The Clark Sound - The Clark Sisters
By Terrence Richburg

Without a doubt the incredible pristine, virtuosic female "group" vocals of The Clark Sisters is somewhat reminiscent of the early Jazz and "Swing" era sound made famous by the close harmony and versatile arrangements of such greats as The Andrew Sisters. Yet, the Clarks are more renowned for their unique, vocal styling, dubbed as "The Clark Sound," which incorporates high and fast vocal runs and arpeggios, acrobatic trills and Jazz riffs, and deep, soulful growls.

The sisters are also very well known for each distinctive vocal quality they individually contribute to the personality and appeal of the group as well as the dynamics of each song they sing. Jacky (alto/tenor) is known for her soft, deeper vocal sound. Dorinda (alto) is the Jazz singer who astounds audiences with her scats and riffs sometimes reminiscent of the classic Bebop sound of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. Karen (soprano) is more known for her soul-stirring riffs, runs, extremely high vocal range, and authentic "self-echo" simulations she uses in her live performances. Twinkie (alto/tenor/soprano) has been often described as the "heart of the Clark Sisters" serving in the group's early development as chief songwriter, music and vocal arranger, producer and also possessing a wide vocal range from soprano to contralto. There exists no single lead vocalist in the group. Nevertheless, together they all support the dominant Jazz flavor, unique articulation and exciting harmonic quality in their award-winning hit recordings and performances. Since then each sister has gone on to solo artist careers, releasing successful projects and firmly establishing themselves independently within the Gospel Music industry.

However, their enduring fans continued to embrace the fabulous sound, chemistry and power-house ministry of the original Clark unit. Having not released a full CD project as group in almost two decades, in 2007 The Clark Sisters finally fulfilled the dreams of their adoring fans with a reunion performance and CD project entitled, "Live - One Last Time"-one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Produced by musical genius, Donald Lawrence, he declared this project as a "dream come true," as the recording took on landmark status with effortless mixes of old and new material. The magnetic appeal of the group's performance on this recording re-established "The Clark Sound" and reinvigorated loyal audiences while introducing their amazing artistry and abundant mastery vocally and as writers to countless new converts. Along with fresh, innovative songs to be celebrated for years to come, they also took a trip down memory lane for the "true Clark fan," featuring such past favorites as, "You Brought The Sunshine", "Holy Will", "Name It Claim It", "Got An Angel", "My Redeemer Liveth" and "Pray For The USA." This reunion project experience was truly worth the wait for all Clark Sisters fans and supporters. Fortunately, due to a new record deal with EMI Gospel, The Clark Sisters will be providing fans with more great music and "The Clark Sound."

Thomas Whitfield

The new influence and appeal of Jazz in Gospel music was greatly advanced among modern gospel writers, musicians and producers by none other than the multifaceted Thomas Anthony Whitfield (April 30, 1954 - June 20, 1992). In fact , when you ask Gospel musicians, students and industry professionals alike the question, "Who has been a major influence musically in your life?" the name Thomas Whitfield is very likely to come up, especially when it comes to his signature Jazz progressions and harmony.

Whitfield has been recognized by many as being the catalyst for helping mold the very character of contemporary gospel music with his intricate choral arrangements and merging of musical styles ranging from Jazz to classical into existing gospel music traditions. This fresh stylistic approach, along with Whitfield's reputation as a prolific gospel songwriter, singer, arranger, pianist, choral director and producer, distinguished him with the honor and title of "Maestro" by many of his colleagues and supporters. Whitfield wrote and arranged over 200 songs during his life's career.

He was best known for organizing one of the most popular contemporary gospel choirs of all time, the Thomas Whitfield Company , and for producing best-selling recordings for Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Douglas Miller, Keith Pringle, Paul Morton and for Aretha Franklin. Initially, some audiences criticized his music as being too "contemporary." Nevertheless, by the mid-1980's, Whitfield had produced, written and arranged some of Gospel music's most recognized and enduring recordings. Even today, many major urban contemporary Gospel icons like Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Donald Lawrence acknowledge the legacy of "The Maestro" as being key to shaping their musical style, which features elaborate instrumental and choral productions with similar multi-styled fusion of Jazz, contemporary and traditional Gospel, Classical, R&B and international or world ethnic music arrangements.

Aretha Franklin

As one of the most significant, influential and versatile vocalists of our time, Aretha Franklin stands alone in her vocal ability as a "once in a life-time" gift of music from God and has contributed greatly to the landscape of popular music as we know it today. Aretha was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee to the Rev. C. L. Franklin, a Baptist minister, and Barbara Siggers Franklin. After her family's move to Detroit, Michigan , where Rev. Franklin gained national fame as a preacher assuming the pulpit of the New Bethel Baptist Church, Aretha who displayed her adept touch on the piano as well as her exceptional voice became a child prodigy.

By the early age of fourteen, she signed a record deal with Checker Records, where her father's sermons and her gospel vocal recordings were released on the Songs of Faith project in 1956. Her earlier influences included gospel greats, Clara Ward and Mahalia Jackson, both of whom visited Aretha's home regularly. However , later being inspired by the industry success of Dinah Washington and Sam Cooke, Aretha decided to pursue a career as a pop artist. After being offered contracts from Motown and RCA, Franklin signed with Columbia Records in 1960.

Her recordings during that time reflected more of a Jazz influence inspired by Washington as she moved away from her gospel upbringings. Franklin went on to be an amazing recording artist with monumental success as she reached and maintains her current status as the "Queen of Soul."

Even so Aretha has never lost her ability to flow effortlessly between the genres of Gospel, R&B, Jazz, and Blues within her vast repertoire of recording projects, even masterfully mixing styles within individual song performances. Though there exists no equals, many modern vocalists continue to learn, imitate and borrow from Franklin's incredible vocal technique, control and soul-stirring sound.

Ramsey Lewis

By Terrence Richburg

The phenomenal musical artistry of Ramsey Lewis is vastly celebrated throughout the world by audiences of all walks of life. However, his musical journey implicitly served as a foundational underpinning for the development of Gospel Jazz as an accepted new form of music. Born Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. on May 27, 1935, Lewis excels as a Jazz icon, composer, and pianist. Touted as "the great performer, " his performance style and musical repertoire flourished from his early gospel technique and classical training along with his profound love of Jazz and other musical forms. Lewis had no experience playing Jazz, except for recordings his father played around his home which included such greats as Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Mead Lux Lewis and others. He was only 15 when a fellow church musician, Wallace Burton, asked him to join his Jazz band and took the time to coach Lewis to learn (to him) the "brand new" language of Jazz. This provided Ramsey with his first real experience with Jazz, which soon became the major force in his musical life, but European classical and Gospel music were of almost equal importance--the fusion of which reflects his signature Gospel Jazz musical style of today. By 1966, Lewis was hailed as one of the most dominant Jazz pianists in the nation, topping the charts with such popular Gospel Jazz tunes as " Wade in the Water ." Many of his recordings captivated large non-Jazz audiences. To his credit Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and CDs and has received five gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his extraordinary career. Recently, however, Ramsey was awarded the 2006 Stellar presented in January 2007 for Best Gospel Instrumental Album, "With One Voice," which featured the Gospel "Smooth" Jazz hit cover of the Edwin Hawkins classic, "Oh Happy Day."