James Cleveland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Cleveland
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Edward Cleveland |
| Born | December 5, 1931 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 9, 1991 (aged 59) Culver City, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel, traditional black gospel, urban contemporary gospel, soul music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, composer, arranger, recording artist, performer, music minister |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Labels | Byg, Gamble and Huff, HOB, HRB Music Company, King James, Musidisc, Nashboro, Phoenix, Savoy, Sonorous, Soul Parade, States, Thunderbird, UpFront |
| Associated acts | Albertina Walker, Roberta Martin, The Caravans, The Gospel All-Stars, The Gospel Chimes, The Gospelaires, The James Cleveland Singers, Southern California Community Choir, Aretha Franklin, Gospel Music Workshop of America, The Angelic Choir, Salem Inspirational Choir, Charles Fold Singers, New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir, Voices of Watts, The Craig Brothers, Henry Jackson, Quentella Caldwell, Marva Hines, Issac Whittmon, Sara Jordan Powell, L.A. Gospel Messengers, Debbie Austin & Unity |
James Edward Cleveland (born December 5, 1931 – died February 9, 1991) was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. Many people called him the "King of Gospel." He helped create the modern gospel sound. He mixed traditional gospel with soul, pop, and jazz in his music. He often used large choirs in his songs.
During his career, James Cleveland recorded hundreds of songs. He won four Grammy Awards. He was also the first gospel musician to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1984, he was added to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. People remember him as one of the greatest gospel singers ever. Some of his most famous songs include "Peace Be Still" and "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired."
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
James Cleveland was born in Chicago, Illinois. He started singing as a young boy at Pilgrim Baptist Church. There, he learned from famous gospel musicians like Thomas A. Dorsey and Roberta Martin.
As a teenager, James strained his voice while singing in a local gospel group. This injury gave him a unique, gravelly voice. This voice became a special part of his singing style later on. Because of his voice change, he started to focus more on playing the piano. He also became very good at writing and arranging music. He even helped write and produce songs for Aretha Franklin's famous album Amazing Grace.
Musical Journey
The Gospelaires
In 1950, James Cleveland joined a group called The Gospelaires. It was a trio with Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk. He helped update old gospel songs like "(Give Me That) Old Time Religion." After the group broke up, Roberta Martin hired him to write and arrange music. His song "Peace Be Still" became very famous.
Working with Albertina Walker and The Caravans
James Cleveland then worked with his childhood friend Albertina Walker. She was known as the "Queen of Gospel" and started the group The Caravans. He was a composer, arranger, pianist, and sometimes sang or narrated for them.
The Caravans group helped many gospel singers become famous. Some of these included Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, and Inez Andrews. In 1954, Albertina Walker helped James make his first recording with The Caravans. He continued to record with them until 1957. Later, in the late 1970s, he reunited with Albertina Walker for two albums. One of these, Please Be Patient With Me, earned Walker her first gold record.
During this time, he also recorded with other groups like The Gospel All-Stars. He mixed pop music styles with traditional gospel singing. In 1959, he released a solo version of Ray Charles' song "Hallelujah, I Love Her So."
By 1960, James Cleveland was known for a new style of gospel music. He added blues sounds to his songs. His version of "The Love of God" became very popular. This success led him to sign a record deal that changed his life.
Savoy Records
In 1962, James Cleveland signed with Savoy Records, a famous jazz label. He released many gospel albums with them until he passed away in 1991. Many of these albums were recorded live during concerts. This idea of live recordings started with Reverend Lawrence Roberts. He liked to capture the feeling of worship in song.
Working with Savoy, James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir released two albums. Then, in 1963, they recorded the famous album Peace Be Still. This album sold thousands of copies and became James Cleveland's first gold album. It stayed on the Billboard music charts for about fifteen years.
The Cleveland Singers
James Cleveland moved to Los Angeles to become the Minister of Music at Grace Memorial Church. There, he became even more popular. He worked with keyboard player Billy Preston and the Angelic Choir.
He then started touring with his new group, The James Cleveland Singers. This group included singers like Odessa McCastle and Billy Preston. In 1964, he reorganized the group. They traveled all over the United States and other countries. They performed in many big venues. This group made popular songs like "Heaven That Will Be Good Enough For Me." Later, other singers like Marva Hines and Cleo Kennedy joined the group. They stayed with him until he passed away.
The Southern California Community Choir
James Cleveland used his success to start his own choir, the Southern California Community Choir. After being nominated many times, he won his first Grammy Award in 1975 with this choir. This was for his 1974 album, In the Ghetto. He recorded several albums with them between 1970 and 1990.
Their album It's a New Day (1979) was nominated for a Grammy. It featured the popular song "God Is." His last Grammy Award was given after he passed away in 1991. It was for his final album with the choir, Having Church. This album included his famous version of Tramaine Hawkins' song "What Shall I Do?".
Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church
In November 1970, James Cleveland started his own church, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, in Los Angeles. It grew from ten members to thousands during his lifetime. His first album with the church choir, The Voices of Cornerstone, came out in 1980. It featured his song "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." The church choir's second album, My Expectations, was released in 1981. By the time he passed away, the church had over 7,000 members.
James Cleveland Presents
From the 1970s to 1990, James Cleveland often brought together different artists to perform and record with him. He also helped introduce and record with many famous gospel choirs and independent artists. Many of these artists became legends themselves. Some of them included The Donald Vails Choraleers and The Salem Inspirational Choir. He recorded the famous song "I Don't Feel Noways Tired" with the Salem Inspirational Choir.
James Cleveland also sang on recordings for other well-known artists. These included Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Elton John.
Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace
In the 1960s, James Cleveland moved to Detroit. He became the music director at New Bethel Baptist Church. This was the church of C. L. Franklin, who was the father of Aretha Franklin. In 1972, James worked with Aretha on her historic album Amazing Grace. This album won a Grammy and sold millions of copies. It is known as one of the greatest gospel albums ever.
The album was recorded live in Los Angeles with James Cleveland's Southern California Community Choir. His part in the album and Aretha's success made it a very important album in gospel music history. It is still popular today. A special re-release of the complete recording sessions is also available.
This historic recording was also filmed for a documentary. The film was finally released in April 2019. It played in theaters around the world.
Gospel: The Motion Picture
The documentary film Gospel, released in 1983, featured James Cleveland. He appeared in the movie with his Southern California Community Choir. Other artists like Walter Hawkins and Shirley Caesar were also in the film. The film's soundtrack was very popular.
Gospel Music Workshop of America
In 1968, James Cleveland started the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA). He co-founded it with Albertina Walker. This organization teaches people how to create modern gospel music. It also helps keep the history of gospel music alive. Today, the GMWA has over 150 chapters and 30,000 members.
The workshop brings together singers from all over the country. Its goal is to keep gospel music strong. These workshops became very popular and helped gospel music grow. James Cleveland's last album with the GMWA was released in 1990.
Gospel Versions of Pop Songs
James Cleveland was famous for taking popular pop, R&B, and soul songs and turning them into gospel songs. One of his most memorable changes was Gladys Knight & The Pips' song "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me." He changed it to "Jesus Is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me." This song earned him a Grammy nomination in 1975.
Another famous gospel version he made was Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs." He recorded this on his 1977 Grammy-winning album, Live at Carnegie Hall. His last pop song rendition was Whitney Houston's "Didn't We Almost Have It All." He changed it to "Aren't You Glad You Know the Lord." He recorded this in 1989.
King James Records
From 1985 to 1988, James Cleveland started his own record label called King James Records. Through this label, he released three albums with the GMWA. He also released a solo album and Billy Preston's first gospel album. His label also put out albums by the Los Angeles Gospel Messengers and his Southern California Community Choir. The record label closed when its distributor shut down.
Death
James Cleveland passed away on February 9, 1991, in Culver City, California. He was 59 years old. More than 8,000 people attended his funeral in Los Angeles. He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Grammy Awards
- Grammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance 1974:
- James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir: In the Ghetto
- Grammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional 1977:
- James Cleveland: James Cleveland Live at Carnegie Hall
- Grammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional 1980:
- James Cleveland & The Charles Fold Singers: Lord, Let Me Be an Instrument
- Grammy Award won for Best Gospel Album by a Choir or Chorus 1990:
- The Southern California Community Choir: Having Church
See also
In Spanish: James Cleveland para niños
