HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Gospel Singer Sallie Martin

Birth of the Blues: Champion Jack Dupree

Sallie Martin

Source: NCGCC

Born in Pittfield, Georgia, on 20 November 1895, gospel vocalist, Sallie Martin, was the contemporary of Thomas A. Dorsey, generally recognized as "father" of Black gospel. Martin would likewise become popularly known as the "mother" of Black gospel. Raised a Baptist but becoming Pentecostal as a young woman, she began her career in 1927 in Chicago singing in Holiness churches. Some period afterward she was hired by Dorsey as a singer in his trio and manager. She assisted Dorsey in the founding of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1933. He had organized an earlier union for choral singers the year before.

Leaving Dorsey in 1940, Martin founded Martin and Morris Music, a publishing house, with Kenneth Morris that year. She also formed the Martin and Morris Singers that year, 'On the Jericho Road' that group's first release. Also recorded in 1940 were 'Must Be Jesus Love Divine' and 'I'm Walking with My Jesus', released much later in 1945.

'I Know I Have Another Building' Martin and Morris Singers

Recorded April 1940 (?) Probably Chicago

Issued 1948 on Bronze BR-108 / Murray 102

Composition: Jackson / Kenneth Morris

Martin is said to have formed Martin and Martin in 1940 with Roberta Martin. The two didn't go far together though, Sallie putting together the Sallie Martin Singers (of Joy) that year and Roberta moving onward to form the Roberta Martin Singers. The Sallie Martin Singers are thought to have first entered the studio in 1947. That April they recorded 'Even Me, Even Me', 'Just a Few Days to Labor' and 'He's a Friend of Mine' for release in 1948. Also recorded on that date were 'Four and Twenty Elders', and 'Jesus Steps Right In', released in February 1950. 'You Know, Lord' was possibly issued in 1950 as well. Dorothy Simmons, Cora Martin (adopted daughter), Brother Joe May and Dinah Washington (as Ruth Jones) each spent some time with the Sallie Martin Singers.

'There Must Be a Heaven Somewhere' Sallie Martin Singers

Recorded sometime 1947

Composition: Margaret Allison

'Just a Closer Walk with Thee' Sallie Martin Singers

Recorded 27 Feb 1948 in Los Angeles

See the compilation 'On Revival Day' / Capitol T-791 / 1956

Composition: Kenneth Morris

'He's Able to Carry You Through' Sallie Martin w Brother Joe May

Session unknown in Los Angeles Issued on Specialty SP-823 / 1952

Composition: Wynona Carr

'Until We Meet Again' Sallie Martin Singers featuring Cora Martin

Session unknown in Los Angeles Issued on Specialty SP-823 / 1952

Composition: Traditional arranged by T. Childs

'I'm Working on a Building' ('I'm Working on the Building') Sallie Martin Singers w Brother Joe May

Recorded sometime 1951 Issued on Specialty XPS-841 / 1953

Composition: Traditional arranged by T. Childs

'Hold to God's Unchanging Hand' Sallie Martin Singers w Brother Joe May

Recorded 1952

Composition: Jennie Wilson 1905

'He'll Wash You Whiter Than Snow' Sallie Martin Singers featuring Professor Alex Bradford

Session unknown Issued on Specialty XSP-879-45 / 1955

Music: William Gustavus Fischer Lyrics: James Nicholson 1872

'Jesus, I Love You' Sallie Martin Singers

Session sometime 1963

See the compilation 'Precious Lord & God Is Here' / Vee Jay Records NVG2-606 / 1993

Composition: Kenneth Morris

Martin performed with the Sallie Martin Singers regularly until the mid fifties, backing off after that due the rigors of touring. The Singers continued without her for decades to come but for occasional appearances. In 1973 she reunited with Dorsey to record 'I'll Tell It Wherever I Go' and 'Let Us Go Back to God'. In 1979 she featured in the Gospel Caravan in Europe at 84 years of age.