| ‘Mahalia’ Sings Again... |
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By Dr.
Sybil C. Mitchell | Tri-State Defender Mahalia Jackson is back! Wowing audiences with her deep, impassioned contralto voice that is distinctly “Mahalia,” thanks to Ekundayo Bandele and the Hattiloo Theatre ensemble. “Mahalia,” a gospel musical by Tom Stolz, recently enjoyed an extensive Broadway run, and Bandele is currently bringing the colorful gospel singer to life in what has been called a “joyous celebration of her music.”
“Back when Mahalia was in her heyday and standing alongside Dr. King during the movement, she encouraged Black people to unite in a courageous front against racial prejudice,” said Bandele. “The joy and the inspiration she offered in her singing afforded a meaningful counterpoint to Dr. King’s message of action and urgency. Bandele, as the theatre’s founder and director, felt that “Mahalia” was just the production for Hattiloo in the month of April. “We thought the time was right to present this sensational music drama about Ms. Jackson for several reasons,” said Bandele. “We are remembering the tragic death of Dr. King on the April 4th-anniversary, and Mahalia Jackson was such an important part of the movement. “Also, I was anxious to show the broad versatility and level of diversity of our productions,” said Bandele. “This is a Christian-based musical, worlds away from our previous play, ‘I Ain’t Yo’ Uncle.’ “The Black experience is so varied and expansive, and we want to depict that diversity,” he said. “Our culture is so multi-faceted that it can’t just be encapsulated into a single profile.” Re-creating Mahalia “Mahalia” takes a probing look at Jackson, not only on stage before audiences, but also in the crevices of her private life where few were privileged to see. Bandele’s production helps audiences to peel back the layers of who Mahalia Jackson really was. Many of the singer’s characteristics come through in the compelling dramatization. It was widely known during her 40-year career that Jackson gave Dr. King large portions of her earnings for his work. “She didn’t want notoriety, and she didn’t want to be commercialized, although some of her recordings became million-sellers,” said Bandele. “Stephanie brings Mahalia to life in all the warmth and candor that those closest to her saw.” Jackson’s career stretched from the 1920’s-1940’s. Her low, earthy tones popularized such gospel classics as: “Precious Lord,” “Deep River,” “Trouble of the World,” “Down By the Riverside,” and “Move On Up a Little Higher.” But her lesser-known secular music is also celebrated in the production. Jackson reportedly made almost $4 million throughout her performing career, but she never put anything in the bank. Much of it was given away. The real Mahalia Jackson Mahalia Jackson was born Oct. 26, 1911 in New Orleans, La., in a section called “Black Pearl.” Like many popular Black singers in the 20th century, young Mahalia began singing in a Baptist church.
Although the project was only a moderate success, Jackson grew in popularity on the concert circuit. And some nine years later, Mahalia signed with Apollo Records, releasing several singles that continued to rise in popularity over the course of her career. But her 1948 release, “Move On Up a Little Higher” skyrocketed quickly to success, and stores could not keep the record in stock. Jackson became known all over the country and soon after in Europe. “I Can Put My Trust in Jesus” won a prize from the French Academy, and “Silent Night” became one of the best-selling singles in the history of Norway. CBS aired her radio series, and Mahalia signed with the recording giant, Columbia Records in 1954. But a backlash came from gospel purists who felt Jackson had sold out to commercialism and watered down her sound for more popular accessibility. Mahalia struggled to find a comfortable balance between staying true to her love for gospel music and taking advantage of the lucrative opportunities sprung from her God-given talent. In 1958, Jackson performed at the Newport Jazz Festival and was a featured headliner at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1960. She also sang at the funeral of her close friend, Dr. King in 1968. Mahalia capped her career with a final concert in Germany, 1971. When she returned to the United States, she made one of her final television appearances on The Flip Wilson Show. In the mid-1960’s, Jackson lent her name to a fried chicken chain, using the tagline, “It’s Glori-fried.” After several years, the enterprise collapsed, but one Mahalia’s Fried Chicken remains open in Nashville and enjoys marked success and local fame in the vicinity of the city’s historic Black university, Tennessee State University. Mahaila died in Chicago on Jan. 27, 1972, of heart failure and diabetes at the age of 59. She was buried in Providence Memorial Park in Metairie, La. The year of her death, Jackson was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, she was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978. “Mahalia,” the production Hattiloo’s production of “Mahalia” will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Special student, senior, and group rates are available. For additional information and ticket reservations, call (901) 502-3486, or visit www.hattilootheatre.org. The Hattiloo Theatre is located at 656 Marshall, one block from Sun Studio on Union. http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/1010/1/Mahalia-Sings-Again/Page1.html |
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