With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to the development and spread of gospel blues in black churches throughout the U.
During a time when racial segregation was pervasive in American society, she met considerable and unexpected success in a recording career, selling an estimated 22 million records and performing in front of integrated and secular audiences in concert halls around the world, making her one of the best-selling gospel music artists.
The granddaughter of enslaved people , Jackson was born and raised in poverty in New Orleans. She found a home in her church, leading to a lifelong dedication and singular purpose to deliver God's word through song. She moved to Chicago as an adolescent and joined the Johnson Singers, one of the earliest gospel groups. Jackson was heavily influenced by musician-composer Thomas Dorsey and blues singer Bessie Smith , adapting Smith's style to traditional Protestant hymns and contemporary songs.
After making an impression in Chicago churches, she was hired to sing at funerals, political rallies, and revivals. For 15 years, she functioned as what she termed a "fish and bread singer", working odd jobs between performances to make a living. Nationwide recognition came for Jackson in with the release of " Move On Up a Little Higher ", selling two million copies and hitting the number-two spot on Billboard charts , both firsts for gospel music.
Jackson's recordings captured the attention of jazz fans in the U. She regularly appeared on television and radio, and performed for many presidents and heads of state, including singing the national anthem at John F.
