Mahalia jackson

Carl Van Vechten, featured in this week’s issue, photographed African-American cultural luminaries including James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston.

Actress. She appeared in both the stage and film versions of South Pacific (1949 and 1958), in the role of Bloody Mary. In the film she sang the songs Happy Talk and Bali Ha'i. The stage version ran for 1,694 Broadway performances. She also appeared in the film and stage version of Flower Drum Song (1958 and 1961).

Trouble of the World, The Old Rugged Cross, In the Upper Room

NMAAHC on Instagram: "Mahalia Jackson was born #OnThisDay in 1911. Jackson sang what many called the soundtrack of the civil rights movement. Full of power and spiritual resolve, Jackson used her singing talent to inspire, nourish and strengthen the participants of the civil rights movement. As a child growing up in New Orleans, Jackson sang at church and as a teen traveled and performed with gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey. For many, Mahalia Jackson's voice represented mystery and majesty…

Mahalia Jackson Singing, by Roy DeCarava, 1957

Contrary to popular belief, the best thing to come out of New Orleans is not red beans and rice, it is Mahalia Jackson. Jackson is the great...