Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer widely regarded as one of the most influential vocalists in the genre's history. Born and raised in New Orleans, she moved to Chicago as a young woman, where she became deeply involved in the city's gospel music scene and began recording in the 1930s and 1940s.

Known for her powerful, richly expressive contralto voice, Jackson became known as the Queen of Gospel, bringing spirituals and gospel hymns to mainstream audiences far beyond the traditional Black church circuit, including major concert halls in the United States and Europe. Songs such as «Move On Up a Little Higher», «How I Got Over» and «Trouble of the World» showcased her ability to convey deep spiritual conviction and raw emotional power.

Jackson was also closely tied to the American civil rights movement, performing at events alongside Martin Luther King Jr., whom she knew personally, and famously urging him during his 1963 March on Washington speech to talk about his dream — a moment credited with shaping the most famous section of his address. Her legacy endures as a defining voice of gospel music and a symbol of its intersection with the struggle for civil rights.