Mahalia Jackson

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a biographical background to the life and successes of Mahalia Jackson. The paper explains that Jackson was one of the preeminent vocal artists of her time and was responsible for fusing blues, ragtime, jazz, and gospel into her own musical style. Apart from this, the paper describes how, at a time when both women and blacks were routinely denied the right to live out their dreams, Mahalia Jackson became a successful business-owner, a famous recording artist, and a member of the Civil Rights Movement.

From the Paper:

"While the name Mahalia Jackson may seem synonymous with rock and roll, to consider her only as a recording artist is to diminish the weight and breadth of her impact on history. Ms. Jackson was one of the preeminent vocal artists of her time and was responsible for fusing blues, ragtime, jazz, and gospel into her own musical style. Furthermore, Ms. Jackson used her musical influence to become widely known within the black community and became actively involved in social issues impacting the black community, such as the Civil Rights Movement. Ms. Jackson's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement helped her gain recognition and influence beyond the black community. Finally, Ms. Jackson was a well-respected business woman in a time and place where both women and people of color faced extraordinary difficulties as business people."

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