The Jefferson County Sound
The Spirit continues
Gospel quartets of the 1940s and 50s like the Soul Stirrers and Mighty Clouds of Joy were a major influence on rock n’ roll with their uptempo style and theatricality. Spiritual music had evolved into entertainment, at the same time expressing a powerful and hopeful message to its primarily black audiences. This style had its roots in the steel mills and coal mines of Birmingham and Jefferson County in the 1920s, where the old ‘jubilee’ style of quartet singing became looser and more fun. The influences of groups like the Famous Blue Jays , Ensley Big Four and CIO Singers spread out all over the country, becoming known as prophets of the Jefferson County sound.
With the Blind Boys of Alabama, Fairfield Four, Pattersonaires, Selvy Singers, Four Eagles, Delta-Aires and one of the major groups carrying on the Jefferson County Sound, the NEA-Award winning Birmingham Sunlights.
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