Arizona Dranes. If it doesn’t ring a bell, this name is surely a must-add to your list of Black church music greats. Read and/or listen to the NPR interview with writer Michael Corcoran to find out why some of secular music’s most thrilling pianists may not have reached their zeniths without her artistic influence: Arizona Dranes, Forgotten Mother of the Gospel Beat.
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.