African American Gospel Choir
The St. James Adult Choir of Detroit's St. James Missionary Baptist Church has been singing the Lord's praise for 77 years. It is one of the premier traditional gospel choirs in a city recognized as a major center for African American gospel music. "Gospel" is an evangelical choral music that began to emerge as a new form in the 1920s and '30s. Influenced by older styles such as jubilee singing, lined-out hymns, and congregational call-and-response singing, gospel achieved great popularity by the1950s, a popularity that continues to the present day.
The ensemble that eventually became known as the St. James Adult Choir was organized in 1924 as the Junior Choir under the direction of Mrs. Georgia Jackson. The choir grew and prospered through several reorganizations and name changes over the years. In 1963, the group came under the direction Rev. Charles Nicks Jr., one of Detroit's most influential gospel musicians. An organist of national reputation, his innovative style set the standard for other Detroit organists. Under Nicks' leadership, the choir gave its first annual "O Give Thanks" concert in 1965. The group's popularity began to take off in the early '70s with the release of its album "The Gospel According to St. James." Subsequent recordings on the Sound of Gospel label established St. James' reputation as one of the finest choirs in Detroit gospel history. In 1974, its name was changed to the St. James Adult Choir, and since1976 the choir has been under the able direction of Brother Jimmy Dowell.
The St. James Adult Choir has been featured with leading gospel artists including the Rev. James Cleveland, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Rev. James Moore, Delores Barrett Campbell, Walter and Edwin Hawkins, the Williams Brothers, Jessy Dixon, and Aretha Franklin. It has been named "Choir of the Year" by the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., was the first religious aggregation to sing for the Annual NAACP's Freedom Fund Dinner, and has performed at the inaugurations of three Michigan governors. The choir was selected to sing for Pope John Paul II's visit to Detroit in 1987, and was recently featured with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
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Music Sampler: "I Need Jesus"