Keith Spera has written a nice piece remembering Mahalia Jackson, one whom former president Richard Nixon said was “an artist without peer.” The article also details events that her hometown of New Orleans has set to commemorate her 100th birthday, which is October 26th.
You can read it here.
Note (updated 10/25/11): It’s worth noting that Mahalia Jackson’s crypt gives her year of birth as 1912, rather than 1911. According to gospel historian Robert Marovich, the discrepancy is the result of an error on her birth certificate. Until Jackson applied for a passport for overseas travel, she was unaware that her birth certificate stated the incorrect birth year, 1911.
Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.