The Progression of Black Gospel Music


When Africans came against their will to be enslaved, here, in America, they bought with them a richly textured heritage that included singing and dancing as daily activities, interwoven into everyday routines, expressions of a world view in which communion with the spiritis and with tribal sisters and brothers....was necessary for life... As with blues music, gospel music is very difficult to describe accurately. Basically, it is traditional music,...



Jazz is the music of the heart and soul...Through the development of strongly improvisational voices - much like the all male gospel group Take 6, resembling instruments in jazz, and the intenseness and impulsiveness in strong rhythms and crescendos, gospel music had three direct impacts on modern popular music. First it was an influence on the singing styles of secular music, through Ray Charles, Della Reese, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and so on, throughout modern soul. Second, it had a dramatic impact on jazz from the late 1950's on to the present day...
Other, current, leading gospel musicians have made continued to make a welcome impact on the role of gospel music in the life of Christians worldwide. Many of these singers and musicians can be found under the Word record label. These include Richard Smallwood, Aretha Franklin - For nearly 40 years, Aretha Franklin has been an icon of contemporary pop music...(but) the "Queen of Soul" also sings gospel... Sandi Patty's new project, entitled "O Holy Night", is a timeless collection of holiday songs...She embrances and champions for her own life and for her family. Having learned some difficult lessons over the last few years, she recognizes the importance of sharing an undying message of encouragement in the face of adversity.





Kirk Franklin and the family, are also making much progress for the cause of Christ...



Kirk Franklin certainly possesses more than his share of natural talent, regardless of how 'normal' he views it to be, but then so does the impressive vocal group that backs him, a group known simply as The Family.




Since 1991, this 17-member entourage has been singin', swayin' and praisin' the Lord to the beat of many a Kirk Franklin tune. So just how much does this choir contribute to what Kirk accomplishes? According to Franklin, quite a bit. "There is no doubt that The Family is the vocal strength of the music that I do," says Kirk. "I believe that God gives me the music specifically for The Family to sing... When I give them a song, they put their seasoning on it. Their vocal flavor isn't like any other. A song is only a song without a voice. You have to have the right voice, and The Family has the right voice."





The music is crisp and clear, cutting through the clutter with rich harmonies, soaring melodies and breathtaking vocal virtuosity. The message is front and center: a call to commitment, to living out our faith in the real world. The ministry is reaching a generation looking for answers, direction and the courage to live out their convictions.

The group, of course, is Point Of Grace.

The fact that Point Of Grace has become, in three short years, one of the most exciting, original and inspiring new arrivals in contemporary Christian music is a matter of record. What's behind Point Of Grace's extraordinary appeal is a lifetime of making music that communicates the truth, and celebrates the triumph, of Jesus Christ. Formed in 1991, on the campus of the Arkansas college where they all met as music majors, Point Of Grace has gone from a do-it-yourself labor of love -- with the quartet handling everything from setting up their own equipment to booking their own shows -- to a certified multi-media sensation.



Black Gospel Music Jazz Aretha Franklin Take 6 Richard Smallwood Word Records Kirk Franklin & The Family Point of Grace Sandi Patty

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This page was created by

Janice C. Weir-Germia - Blacknet UK