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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCLEVELAND, Rev. James(b 5 Dec. '31, Chicago; d 9 Feb. '91, LA CA) USA gospel singer, pianist; the Louis Armstrong of gospel: singing preacher with rough, rasping, righteous voice. Raised in poor family, sang at Pilgrim Baptist Church under Thomas A. Dorsey, studied piano infl. by Roberta Martin. Joined Gospelaires '50 as pianist, third singer; then Martin's Singers; with the Caravans mid-'50s (hit 'The Solid Rock'), then the Meditation Singers (Detroit), Gospel All-Stars (Brooklyn), Gospel Chimes, gradually developing rocking style replete with dance steps. Recorded Soul Stirrers song 'The Love Of God' '60, became gospel classic with other Cleveland records 'Peace Be Still', 'Father I Stretch My Hands To Thee', 'Lord Remember Me'. Became West Coast-based. Nominated for a Grammy with Aretha Franklin for her hit LP Amazing Grace '72; won own Grammy for In The Ghetto '74; worked with Quincy Jones in vocal arr. for TV series Roots '77; won Grammy for LP Live At Carnegie Hall '77, performed song from it on nationally televised Grammy Awards show, first gospel artist to do so. About 75 LPs made for Savoy with more than a dozen different choirs and gospel groups. Worked on such films as The Idolmaker and Blues Brothers (both '80). Pastor of LA's Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church. |