Fisk Jubilee Singers 1875 London
Source: Hymnology
The Fisk Jubilee Singers were among the earliest black gospel groups, and the only to acquire nationwide recognition for about six decades until electronic recording, widespread distribution and other events like Black Gospel proper expanded the gospel market (see Thomas Dorsey). Formed at Fisk University (founded 1865) in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1871, configurations of the Jubilee Singers continued into the 20th century as the singular act around, performed for another century into the 21st, and yet sing to this day as a veritable institution of a vocal group for 150 years now. The original crew of nine members was formed and named by George White, Fisk music instructor and treasurer, after Jubilee Year in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, Chapter 25, concerning transfer of ownership for debt until forgiven each 49th year of each jubilee period, insuring that debt not utterly wipe out farmers or their families. Three rough concert tours from 1871 to 1878 put the FJS on the map in addition to raising funds for Fisk University. John Work II (1871-1925) began instructing at Fisk in 1904 and would direct the Jubilee Singers until 1923 when John Work III (1901-1967) assumed his position.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers first recorded in Camden, NJ, on 1 Dec 1909, resulting in the issue of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' on Victor 16453-A in 1910. That had been composed by Wallace Willis sometime 1865 or later:
'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' Victor 16453-A Issued 1910
'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' had been backed by 'Golden Slippers' recorded on 9 Dec 1909. That had been composed by James Bland:
'Golden Slippers' Victor 16453-B Issued 1910
Bland had later composed the minstrel song, 'Oh, Dem Golden Slippers', in 1879, not to be confused with his earlier 'Golden Slippers'. The Jubilee Singers also recorded the anonymously composed 'I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray' on 1 Dec 1909 (not to be confused with Dorsey Dixon's later 'Wreck on the Highway' in 1937):
'I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray' Victor 16448 Issued 1910
'There Is a Balm in Gilead' also went down on 9 Dec 1909:
'There Is a Balm in Gilead' Victor 16487 Issued 1910
'In Bright Mansions Above' had been recorded on 6 Feb 1911, that composed by Clarence Heidelberg:
'In Bright Mansions Above' Victor 16856 Issued 1911
Another signature hymn by the FJS was 'Steal Away to Jesus' issued in 1915. That had been composed by Wallace Willis sometime 1862 or earlier:
'Steal Away to Jesus' Composition: Wallace Willis Issued 1915
The early FJS has been compiled on 'There Breathes a Hope' which saw release on ARCH 5020 in 2010, that featuring John Work II (tenor) & the Jubilee Quartet recorded from 1909 to 1916.
'All Over the World' saw release in 1920 by the FJS Quartette. Unlike the 78 rpm acoustic flat discs noted above, that was issued on cylinder per Edison Blue Amberol 4045:
'All Over This World' Issued 1920 on Edison Blue Amberol 4045
The Fisk Jubilee Singers recorded on Edison Amberol and Blue Amberol cylinders on multiple occasions. Hear audio of titles issued from 1912 to 1927 at UCSB. DAHR traces eighteen flat disc singles gone down with Victor by the Jubilee Singers to 1915 when they moved over to Columbia, beginning a long recording relationship on 21 October 1915 in NYC w 'Steal Away to Jesus' issued on Columbia A2803.
Forty years later in 1955 the group issued its much hailed 'The Gold and Blue Album' on Folkways Records FP 72 and Folkways Records FA 2372. Another important issue by the FJS arrived forty-eight years after that in 2003 per 'In Bright Mansions' on Curb Records D2-78762. Winning the Dove Award, that included the anonymously written 'Poor Man Lazarus':
'Poor Man Lazarus' Issued 2003 on Curb Records D2-78762
In spring of 2010 a yet more contemporary version of the FJS performed live at Kennedy Center:
Live at Kennedy Center 2010
Rounding out this presentation to the current year, the 150th anniversary of the Jubilee Singers was marked by the release of 'Celebrating Fisk!' by Curb Records in June 2020.
Sources & References:
Fisk University (FJS timeline)
James Bland (10/23/1854-5/5/1911):
Documentaries:
Black History in Two Minutes (2019)
Sacrifice and Glory (2019 American Experience PBS):
Documentary Plays:
Jubilee (Tazewell Thompson 2019):
Fisk Jubilee Singers Audio:
In Bright Mansions (2003)
UCSB (cylinders 1912-1927)
Fisk Jubilee Singers Authority Research:
Fisk Jubilee Singers Collections & Manuscripts:
Fisk Jubilee Singers Discographies:
Fisk Jubilee Singers Iconography:
Fisk Jubilee Singers Recordings:
Cylinder (Edison 1912-1927)
Debut Recording (1909 Victor)
Flat Disc (78)
Fisk Jubilee Singers Recordings: Compilations:
There Breathes a Hope (2010 ARCH 5020):
Fisk Jubilee Singers Recommended Recordings:
Celebrating Fisk! (Live 2016/17 Issue: June 2020 Curb Records)
In Bright Mansions (2003 Curb Records D2-78762)
The Gold And Blue Album (1955):
FA 2372:
FP 72:
Fisk Jubilee Singers Repertoire:
Steal Away to Jesus:
Robert Cummings (All Music)
Fisk Jubilee Singers Sessionographies:
Fisk University:
Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25):
George White (9/20/1838-11/9/1895):
Historic Path of Cattaraugus County
John Work II (6/8/1871-7/9/1925):
John Work III (7/15/1901-5/17/1967):
Further reading by source:
Claire Armitstead (The Guardian 2019)
Tim Brooks (American Music 2000)
Sandra Graham (American Music 2006)
Seth Kurke (2014)
Mario Rups (Smithsonian Unbound 2018)
Further reading by topic:
Clinton Bowen Fisk:
Early gospel groups:
Daniel Seriff (2003)
Negro Spirituals:
Oh, Dem Golden Slippers (minstrel comp by John A. Bland 1879):
John Work II & III:
The Hymns & Carols of Christmas
Colleen Phelps (Nashville Classical Radio 2020)
Other Fisk Jubilee Singers Profiles:
Gabriel Milner (Cambridge Core)