Nicknamed the ‘King of Gospel,’ James Cleveland – born in Chicago, Illinois on
December 5, 1931 – pioneered modern gospel music by combining traditional black
gospel with soul, pop, and jazz in his musical and vocal arrangements for mass
choirs. His musical journey began as a child when he was a member of the Pilgrim
Baptist Church choir in Chicago, which led to him joining a local gospel group,
The Gospelaires, when he was in his teens. A pianist as well, James Cleveland
was then hired by vocalist Roberta Martin as a composer and arranger. He also
began working with Albertina ‘Q...