Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Bessie Griffin
Bessie Griffin (July 6, 1922 – April 10, 1989) was a gospel singer who performed briefly with the Caravans in 1953 but spent most of her career as a solo artist. While often compared to Mahalia Jackson, she had a lighter contralto that allowed her to achieve more vocal pyrotechnics — holding a note for long periods of time, continuing a song for as long as twenty minutes and ranging through three octaves.
Born Arlette B. Broil in New Orleans, she was steeped in church music as a child. She sang for a while with the Southern Harps , had her own radio show in New Orleans, and later appeared in night clubs and on Broadway.
Further Reading
- Boyer, Horace Clarence; How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel; Elliott and Clark; 1995; ISBN 0252068777.
- Heilbut, Tony; The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times; Limelight Editions; 1997; ISBN 0879100346.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details