2)Debate the importance of Mahalia Jackson to The Movement. Do so with Essay

2)Debate the importance of Mahalia Jackson to The Movement. Do so with reference to a theoretical framework - Essay Example Being the first gospel superstar, up to date, many listeners still love her songs defining the symbol of transcendent power in her music (Darryl 2005, pp.129). With her gift of singularly and expressive contralto, she continues to inspire other generations of vocalists after her. In her music, she inculcated gospel with sensuality and freedom that had not been experienced before. She did that by introducing some blues elements into her music making her be among the first spiritual performers to do so. At the age of 16, like many Americans with an African background living in the south, she participated in the great migration to C she to Chicago, Illinois for better opportunities, Where she was invited in various places to perform her songs. Ever developing her spirit through church and its music, Jackson made the oath use her inimitable voice for spiritual song- a promise she kept. For instance, after her first service, she was invited join choir of the Greater Salem Church. She then began touring some of the city churches and the surrounding areas with one of the professional gospel groups, Johnson gospel singers (Colin 2005,pp 2107). Jackson was also given musical advice by Thomas A. Dorsey in 1929, viewed as the Father of Gospel Music, who also went further ahead and formed an association with her. According to Darryl, (2005) p. 132, some of her songs became her signature songs. Those included; ‘Take my Hand’ and ‘Precious Lord. In the mid 30s, Jackson met Evelyn Gay, a pianist, who accompanied her in her solo career. This was after the Johnson Brothers group members separated (Colin 2005, pp.2118). Later in 1937, she did her first recordings albums for Decca. At this period of time, her singing reputation grew throughout the Midwest. With her Decca song ‘Gods Gonna Separate the Wheat from the Tares’ which sold, she was prompted a lengthy studio break. Since her career