A driving force in contemporary gospel music, Edwin Hawkins was an American
singer and keyboard player who ranked with artists such as Andraé Crouch and
James Cleveland in the movement to bring R&B sounds into the world of spiritual
music. He founded, performed and recorded with various groups including the
Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar Mass Choir whose 'Live in Los Angeles' album
in 1992 was named Best Gospel Album By a Choir Or Chorus in the Grammy Awards.
Born in northern California, he sang and played piano with his local church
choir from a very young age and perform...