Photo via rockhall.com

The Bessie Smith Cultural Center and The Creative Underground proudly presents a centennial birthday celebration of the life and music of Mahalia Jackson in “Sing, Mahalia, Sing” A Gospel Musical.

Jackson, arguably the finest and most important performer in the history of gospel music. She was world renown for her rich and expressive vocal style. She was massively influential, and was the first African-American gospel artist to sell over a million copies of a record (with the superb “Move on up a Little Higher”), bringing sacred music to a wider audience than it had ever known before.

Jackson lent her prestige to the civil rights movement and became a prominent figure in the struggle. Her natural gift and inspiring interpretations of spirituals moved audiences; bringing people of all racial and religious backgrounds together through the power of song.

On October 26 ,2011 Jackson would have turned 100 and this moving, often humorous musical features local talent and a choir comprised of vocalists from various churches to pay tribute to her legacy.

“My overall vision for this production was to capture the essence and power of inspirational music and how it touches the soul,” states Shane Morrow, Director of The Creative Underground.

Equal parts gospel musical, biography, and revival meeting, this production promises to have you jumping out of your seat.

“Sing, Mahalia, Sing” A Gospel Musical will run October 23 and October 30th at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.