The Jubalaires
American gospel group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Jubalaires were an American gospel group active between 1935 and 1962. Originally known as the Royal Harmony Singers,[1] the band was known for song verses delivered in a rhythmic, rhyming style that has been described as an early version of rapping.[3][4]
The Jubalaires | |
|---|---|
The Jubalaires c. 1945. From left to right: Orville Brooks, Theodore (Teddy) Brooks, Caleb Ginyard and George McFadden. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Florida, United States |
| Genres | American folk, gospel, spirituals, proto-rap |
| Years active | 1935–1962 |
| Labels | Capitol, Decca, King |
| Past members | Caleb Ginyard[1] Willie Johnson[2] Orville Brooks Theodore Brooks George McFadden John Jennings Jimmy Adams Elijah Wright Willie Wright |
History
The band's name was derived from Jubal, a biblical figure in Genesis who is sometimes regarded as "the father of all harpists and organists."[5]
The band reached no. 10 on the R&B charts on November 14, 1942, with "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" a song adapted from the speech of a naval chaplain in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor the previous year.[6] Other releases included "Before This Time Another Year" / "Ezekiel (Saw the Wheel A Rollin')" (released under the Decca Records label), "God Almighty's Gonna Cut You Down" / "Go Down Moses" (King Records), and "My God Called Me This Morning" / "Ring That Golden Bell" (King Records).[7]
The band recorded with Andy Kirk on November 27, 1945, a session which produced the Decca Records 78rpm release "I Know" / "Get Together with the Lord" credited to Andy Kirk & His Orchestra with the Jubalaires. A third track recorded during the session, "Soothe Me", went unreleased.[8]
In 1946, the Jubalaires secured a spot on Arthur Godfrey's CBS radio show.[9] Willie Johnson left the Golden Gate Quartet to take the lead of the group in 1948, and in 1950 the band appeared in the musical comedy film Duchess of Idaho.[2][10]
In the December 15, 1951, issue, Billboard praised the group's performance on the release "David and Goliath" / "I've Done My Work" (Capitol Records).[11] The band's recording of "Dreaming of the Ladies in the Moon" (Crown Records) attracted the praise of Billboard magazine, which gave the record a mark of 78/100 in the April 17, 1954, issue, commenting that "The boys here come thru with a strong reading on a bright ballad with an evocative flavor." The reviewer compared the Jubalaires' treatment of the song with the style of the Mills Brothers and predicted it could become a break-out hit.[12]
Most of the music by the Jubalaires was released by Queen Records, a King Records subsidiary specializing in African-American music. However, later reissues of their music appeared under King Records.[13]
Noah
“Noah” (1946) is a gospel song performed by the Jubilaires, a renowned vocal group known for their harmonious blend of voices and powerful performances.
The song “Noah” tells the biblical story of Noah and the ark, emphasising themes of faith, salvation, and divine intervention. Through stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the Jubilaires bring to life the narrative of Noah’s obedience to God’s instructions to build an ark to survive the impending flood.
The song is characterized by its soulful delivery and uplifting message, drawing on themes of perseverance and divine protection amidst adversity. The Jubilaires bring their vocal prowess and spiritual depth to the rendition, and "Noah" has continued to resonate with audiences over the years as a reflection of faith and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Band members
Original members
- Orville Bryce Brooks, vocals (January 27, 1919 – August 30, 1997)[14]
- Theodore Brooks (aka Ted Brooks), baritone vocals (July 4, 1915 – September 8, 1997)[15][16]
- Caleb Nathaniel Ginyard jr., vocals (January 15, 1910 – August 11, 1978)[17]
- George Washington McFadden, bass vocals (November 24, 1921 — January 30, 1990)
Other members
- Willie Johnson
- John Jennings
- Jimmy Adams
- Elijah Wright (bass)
- Willie Wright (tenor)[17]
