Fisk Jubilee Singers
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The Fisk Jubilee Singers are a group of African American singers first organized in 1871. Their early repertoire centered on spirituals, but also included some Stephen Foster songs. In 2002 the Library of Congress honored their song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by adding it in the United States National Recording Registry.
The group was given its name by the University musical director, George L. White. In Old Testament history, each fiftieth Pentecost was followed by a "year of jubilee" - a year in which Hebrew law required that all slaves be set free. In the dark shadow of slavery, the "Jubilee Singers" seemed a most appropriate name. Most of the students at Fisk had been former slaves. The Jubilee singers are credited with the early popularization of the negro spiritual tradition among white and northern audiences in the late 19th century; many were previously unaware of its existence.[1]
The singers were a fundraising effort for Fisk University, a historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee, although one that was not initially approved by the university itself. The treasurer at Fisk at that time was George L. White. In an effort to raise money for the University, he gathered a nine-member chorus of students to go on tour in an attempt to earn money. On October 6, 1871, the group of students left for their U.S. tour. They began in small towns, some of which were not receptive to their performances.
After a concert performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, the group donated their small US$50 profit to the victims of the notorious 1871 fire in Chicago, Illinois. The group then traveled on to Columbus, Ohio where they were tired and discouraged. White, determined to raise their spirits, named them "The Jubilee Singers." This was a reference to the year of Jubilee in the Bible in the 25th chapter of the book of Leviticus.
Soon, the audiences they performed for began to appreciate their voices and they began to receive praise for their talents. Prior to the formation of this group, most black music was being performed by white musicians and it took a while for audiences to accept the talent of The Jubilee Singers as a group of black performers. Eventually, they were able to earn enough money to send back to Fisk University to help cover some expenses. Near the end of 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant invited them to perform at The White House.
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After a tour of Europe in 1873, the group earned enough money to send back to Fisk to construct the university's first-ever permanent building. The building was named Jubilee Hall, and it is still standing today.[2][3]
In 2008, the group was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
In 2009, Fisk Jubilee Singers, along with Jonny Lang, released the song “I Believe” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration. [4]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Ben S. Austin, THE FISK UNIVERSITY JUBILEE SINGERS, Middle Tennessee State University. Accessed 5 January 2009.
- ^ The Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Middle Tennessee State University. Accessed 31 August 2006.
- ^ Kay Beasley, Fisk Jubilee Singers (1871–), Tennessee State University. Accessed 31 August 2006.
- ^ "Jon Bon Jovi, Queen Latifah go gospel for "Day"". Reuters. March 27, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE52Q6WQ20090327.
http://www.fiskjubileesingers.org/our_history.html http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/jubilee.html
