Gospel Groups: The Radio Four

The Radio Four

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1093667-Radio-Four

The Radio Four were led by Reverend Morgan Babb and released some recordings during the 1950's on various labels. The other members are not listed. Their songs are on the streaming platforms after being released on compilations in recent years. Please take a listen here and remember God loves you, Jesus Christ is the only way:  Sending up this prayer

Origin: US

Genre: Gospel

Labels: Nashboro, Tennessee and Republic Records 

Gospel Groups: Bill Landford and The Landfordaires

Bill Landford and The Landfordaires

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com/release/10784938-Bill-Landford-The-Landfordaires-Run-On-For-A-Long-Time?srsltid=AfmBOooutrCKzk4BNo9Q9lidPR5h3UkeUGce81WDvLzIL85O7L1wWiPI

Bill Landford was a member of the groups, The Golden Gate Quartet, The Southern Sons and Selah Jubilee Singers. The group he led sang gospel and spirituals in the Folk, World and Country styles. Their songs had a guitar strum at the beginning. They had great harmonies on these acapella pieces which can be found on numerous compilations. They released some traditional pieces and also some songs written by Mr. Bill Landford. Please take a listen here and remember God loves you, Jesus Christ is the only way: You ain't got faith (till you got religion)

Origin: US

Genre: Gospel, Spiritual 

Styles: County, Folk and World

Label: Columbia 

Gospel Groups: Silver Leaf Quartet Of Norfolk

Silver Leaf Quartet Of Norfolk

Source:https://www.discogs.com/release/21662065-Silver-Leaf-Quartette-Of-Norfolk-When-Jesus-Comes-My-Soul-Is-A-Witness-For-The-Lord

The Group was an all male acapella group with a member that had a high pitched vocal style. They were sometimes accompanied by the organ on some pieces, but they still infused the acapella techniques on these songs. Please take a listen here and remember God loves you, Jesus Christ is the only way: When Jesus comes

Origin: US 

Genre: Gospel, Acapella 

Also known as: Gold Palm Quartet 

Years active: 1928 - 1931

Members: Melvin Smith (First Tenor, Lead Vocals), William Thatch (Falsetto Vocals), William Boush (Baritone Vocals), Luther Daniels (Bass Vocals) 

Gospel Groups: The Ebony Three

The Ebony Three 

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com/release/21026068-The-Ebony-Three-Go-Down-Moses-Swing-Low-Sweet-Chariot

Gospel Group, The Ebony Three, recorded for Decca in 1938. The members are unknown and they appear on a number of compilations. Please take a listen here and remember God loves you, Jesus Christ is the only way:  Go down Moses

Origin: US

Genre: Gospel

Label: Decca 

Jazz Greats: Lenny McBrowne

Leonard Louis "Lenny" McBrowne (born January 24, 1933)

Jazz Drummer, Lenny McBrowne, worked as both a Bandleader and Sideman between the 1950's and mid-1970's. He is a prolific figure in Hard Bop and taught Andrew Cyrille. He has worked with many (Billie Holiday, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Max Roach, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk and numerous others). He retired in 1976; please take a listen here and have a great Saturday: Diamonds (with The 4 Souls) and Dearly Beloved (with The 4 Souls)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_McBrowne

Background information
Birth name	Leonard Louis McBrowne
Born	January 24, 1933 (age 87) Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	Jazz, hard bop, soul jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader
Instruments	Drums
Years active	c. 1953-1976
Labels	Pacific Jazz, Riverside
Associated acts	Paul Bley, Tonny Scott, Sonny Stitt, Randy Weston, Sonny Criss, Booker Ervin, Kenny Burrell

Jazz Greats: Lou Hooper

Louis Stanley Hooper (May 18, 1894, North Buxton , Ontario - Sept. 17, 1977, Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island)

Canadian Jazz Pianist, Lou Hooper, began his career in the 1910's and worked with others  (Elmer Snowden, Ethel Waters and many more) in the US into the 1930's. He returned to Canada in 1932 and released Solo and Ensemble efforts up to 1973. He died in 1977; please take a listen here and have a splendid Saturday: Spring Fever (with Skip Beckwith, Don Palmer, Tim Cohoon)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Hooper

Background information
Name: Louis Stanley Hooper  Born: May 18, 1894 Died: Sept. 17, 1977  Origin: Ontario, Canada

Reggae Thursdays: Kotch

Kotch

Reggae Band, Kotch, released 3 Albums on three different Labels (Macca Music, Mango, Sonic Sounds) between 1986 and 1993. 

They began with original material and branched out into famed Reggae covers of Soul and Quiet Storm releases. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Tears and Jean

Source: https://www.discogs.com/artist/387309-Kotch

Background information
Name: Kotch  Origin: Jamaica  Labels: Macca Music, Mango, Sonic Sound Members: Dwight Lyseight, Everton Gayle, Herbie Harris, Johan Moodmaker Young, Norman Espuet, Owen Rennalls, Pablo Stewart, Prince Manning, Stephen Lee

Reggae Thursdays: Carl Dawkins

Carl Dawkins (b. 1 August 1948, St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies)

Reggae Singer, Carl Dawkins, began his career as an early supporter of the Rastafarian ideals, 

scoring hits. But was jailed for Marijuana possession, which slowed his budding career. He returned to recording after serving time and worked with The Wailers in the 1970s, but failed to gain traction. He remains active and still has not achieved his deserved level of success. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Parttime Love, This Land, Hard times, Satisfaction and Baby I love you

Source 1:  https://www.allmusic.com/artist/carl-dawkins-mn0000146436

Source 2: https://www.discogs.com/artist/142754-Carl-Dawkins

Background information
Name: Carl Dawkins	Origin : St Catherine, Jamaica	Born: August 1, 1948

Blues Singers and Musicians: Elizabeth Cotten

Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten (née

Nevills) (January 5, 1893 – June 29, 1987)

Blues and Folk Musician, Singer and Songwriter, Elizabeth Cotten, was a self taught left-handed Guitarist that played the right-handed Guitar upside down. She invented the "Cotten Picking Style" (in which her fingers played the Bass lines and her thumb played the melody) that has influenced many Artists. She left music at aged 17 after marrying and worked as a maid for many years. After her return from a 27 year break, she gained much attention and continued on for many years. She died in 1987; please take a listen here and enjoy your Weekend: Shake sugaree, In the sweet by and by and Freight train

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten

Background information
Birth name	Elizabeth Nevills
Born	January 5, 1893 Carrboro, North Carolina, United States
Died	June 29, 1987 (aged 94) Syracuse, New York, United States
Genres	Folk, blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, banjo, vocals

Reggae Thursdays: Sheila Hylton

Sheila Hylton (born 1956)

British Reggae Singer, Sheila Hylton, worked as an Air Hostess on the airline, Air Jamaica, before entering the music industry. She gained success with her Island Records' Mango label releases from 1979 onwards. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Don't ask my neighbor, The bed's too big without you and Breakfast in bed

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Hylton

Sheila Hylton
Born	1956 London, England
Genres	Reggae
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Island Records

Graciela

Graciela Pérez Gutiérrez (August 23, 1915 – April 7, 2010)

Pioneering Afro-Cuban Singer, Graciela, was the lead Singer of Machito and the Afro-Cubans. From 1934 onwards she toured and recorded significant pieces that had an huge influence on future Singers. She was regarded for her ability to perform Jazz songs and Ballads with the same level of complexity. She died in 2010; please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday: Este es Graciela and Intimo y Sentimental

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graciela

Background information
Birth name	Graciela Pérez Gutiérrez
Born	August 23, 1915 Jesús María, Havana, Cuba
Died	April 7, 2010 (aged 94) New York City
Genres	Latin Jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1934–2010

Martha Copeland

Martha Copeland (born c. 1891–1894; date of death unknown)

"Everybody's Mama", Classic Female Blues Singer, Martha Copeland, was active between 1923 and 1928. She was signed to Columbia Records and recorded 34 songs, but failed to gain great commercial success. The remaining years of her life is undocumented and her year of death is unknown. Please take a listen here and have an enjoyable weekend: Second hand daddy and Papa if you can't do better

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Copeland

Background information
Birth name	Martha Williams(possible)
Also known as	Everybody's Mammy
Born	c. 1891–1894(possible) Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Died	Unknown
Genres	Classic female blues, gospel[1]
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1923–1928
Labels	Columbia, Okeh,Victor

Tribute Mondays: Ja'Net Dubois

Jeannette Dubois (Aug. 5, 1932, 1938 or 1945 (sources differ) – Feb. 17, 2020 )

Actress, Singer - Songwriter and Dancer, Ja'Net DuBois, is most remembered for her role in the Sitcom Good Times (she portrayed Willana Woods). She started out as a Theater Actress in the 1960's in Plays both off and on Broadway. She then moved on to a television Soap Opera, movies and a Sitcom. She Co-wrote and sang the  "Movin' on up" The Jeffersons theme and also released several Albums before her death in 2020. Thanks for your contribution Miss Dubois, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have a lovely Monday: If you want my love, Movin' on up to meet Jesus, Queen of the highway and Movin' up (The Jeffersons theme)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja'Net_DuBois

Born	Jeannette Dubois August 5, 1932 August 5, 1938 August 5, 1945 (sources differ) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. (sources differ)
Died	February 17, 2020 Glendale, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress singer songwriter dancer
Years active	1962–2016
Known for	Willona Woods –Good Times Ma Bell – I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Ms. Avery – The PJs
Spouse(s)	Sajit Gupta (m. 1950–?; divorced)[1]
Children	4