Selah Jubilee Singers
Encyclopedia
The Selah Jubilee Singers was an American
gospel vocal quartet
, who appeared in public as a gospel group but who also had a successful recording career as a secular group in the 1930s & 1940s.
(1914–2002) founded the Selah Jubilee Singers, a group drawn from the membership of a church choir, while he was the deejay at WOR
in Brooklyn, New York. He later based them in Raleigh, North Carolina
when he moved his radio show to station WPTF
. The Selah Jubilee Singers first recorded on April 28, 1938 for Decca
, a session which included popular songs such as "Take My Hand, Precious Lord
" (DE 7598), and in February 1941, "I'll Fly Away
" (DE 7831). Their best recording was "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," recorded on October 8, 1941, (Decca Records
7872) New York City
; with Thermon Ruth and John Ford lead vocal, Fred Baker, lead baritone; Monroe Clark, baritone; J. B. Nelson, bass vocal; and Fred Baker on guitar.
By the late 1940s, the members were Ruth, Alden ("Allen") Bunn, Junius Parker, Melvin Coldten, and Jimmy Gorham. In 1949, Ruth and Bunn decided to form a secular vocal group, which became The Larks
. The Larks recorded most successfully for Apollo Records
, a New York
area record company, but split up in 1952.
The Selah Jubilee Singers became the first gospel group to play in the famed Apollo Theater
, known for its vaudeville acts, after Therman Ruth convinced the owner, Frank Shiffman, to allow a gospel act. On December 15, 1955, the Selah Jubilee Singers debuted at the Apollo, the first gospel group to play at any commercial theater. Ruth ensured that a variety of music was featured in order to broaden the appeal: gospel, jubilee, and spirituals
but with an emphasis on rhythm
as well as the emotional components of gospel.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gospel vocal quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
, who appeared in public as a gospel group but who also had a successful recording career as a secular group in the 1930s & 1940s.
History
Around 1927, Thermon RuthThurman Ruth (promoter)
Thurman Ruth , who got his start in vaudeville in 1927, was a gospel singer, deejay and concert promoter, and a forefather of such rhythm and blues producers as Ralph Bass...
(1914–2002) founded the Selah Jubilee Singers, a group drawn from the membership of a church choir, while he was the deejay at WOR
WOR (AM)
WOR is a class A , AM radio station located in New York, New York, U.S., operating on 710 kHz. The station has a talk format and has been owned by Buckley Broadcasting since 1987, after the station was sold by RKO. The station has conservative, or right-of-center hosts.Its call letters have no...
in Brooklyn, New York. He later based them in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
when he moved his radio show to station WPTF
WPTF
WPTF, NewsRadio 680, is a talk radio station serving the Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The station is owned by Curtis Media Group...
. The Selah Jubilee Singers first recorded on April 28, 1938 for Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, a session which included popular songs such as "Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Take My Hand, Precious Lord
"Take My Hand, Precious Lord" is a gospel song, lyrics by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey , melody by George Nelson Allen .-History:...
" (DE 7598), and in February 1941, "I'll Fly Away
I'll Fly Away
"I'll Fly Away", is a hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company in a collection titled Wonderful Message...
" (DE 7831). Their best recording was "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," recorded on October 8, 1941, (Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
7872) New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; with Thermon Ruth and John Ford lead vocal, Fred Baker, lead baritone; Monroe Clark, baritone; J. B. Nelson, bass vocal; and Fred Baker on guitar.
By the late 1940s, the members were Ruth, Alden ("Allen") Bunn, Junius Parker, Melvin Coldten, and Jimmy Gorham. In 1949, Ruth and Bunn decided to form a secular vocal group, which became The Larks
The Larks
The Larks were an African American vocal group, active in the early 1950s. They were not the same group as the Los Angeles-based Larks featuring Don Julian.-Original members:...
. The Larks recorded most successfully for Apollo Records
Apollo Records
Apollo Records may refer to:* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - US based company* Apollo Records - Belgian-based company* Apollo Records - US based company...
, a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
area record company, but split up in 1952.
The Selah Jubilee Singers became the first gospel group to play in the famed Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
, known for its vaudeville acts, after Therman Ruth convinced the owner, Frank Shiffman, to allow a gospel act. On December 15, 1955, the Selah Jubilee Singers debuted at the Apollo, the first gospel group to play at any commercial theater. Ruth ensured that a variety of music was featured in order to broaden the appeal: gospel, jubilee, and spirituals
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
but with an emphasis on rhythm
Rhythm section
A rhythm section is a collection of musicians who make up a section of instruments which provides the accompaniment section of the music, giving the music its rhythmic texture and pulse, also serving as a rhythmic reference for the rest of the band...
as well as the emotional components of gospel.
Selective discography
| Year | Title | Genre | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1941–1945) | Gospel | Document |
| 2002 | Selah Gospel Train (1945–1949) | Gospel | Import (Japan) |