Who is Mahalia Jackson?
Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel music singer and is widely regarded as the best gospel singer of all time. Some of her more popular recordings include “Silent Night,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” “There Will be Peace in the Valley,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” A devout Christian, Mahalia Jackson became very accomplished with numerous achievements to her credit over the span of her career. Born in New Orleans in 1911, Mahalia Jackson grew up in Louisiana in a small home with her mother, her brother and many extended family members. Jackson loved singing in church and even at an early age her freely flowing gospel style was apparent. At the age of 16, she moved to Chicago and joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church choir. Mahalia Jackson performed as a soloist in churches and at funerals. Though her lively, energetic interpretations of songs were sometimes frowned upon by more formal churches – largely because of the apparent jazz and blues undertones in her voca
