Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 - January 23, 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys." [2] Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. 23 January 1993 (aged 93) Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 - January 23, 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys." Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. Bennett, Tom, "OBITUARY: Thomas A Dorsey, 93, 'Father" of Gospel Music'", O'Neal, Jim, Van Singel, Amy: "Georgia Tom Dorsey" in. Martin Luther King, Sr. was the pastor of Ebenezer at this time, beginning his ministry there in 1931. Black gospel choirs were asked to perform at several white churches in Chicago. He returned to blues, recording "It's Tight Like That" with guitarist Hudson "Tampa Red" Whittaker despite his misgivings over the suggestive lyrics. | Photo: Getty Images. Love you! He is often quoted saying that he had "been kicked out of the best churches in the country". The grave site of Thomas A Dorsey. He was 93 years old. He also taught black children at a one-room schoolhouse where his son accompanied him and listened to lessons. He loved making you laugh, a jokester at heart and he was the man you could rely on for safety and security. (Marovich, p. [39][40] Folklorist Alan Lomax claims that Dorsey "literally invented gospel". Even with a family he remained active in music, attending multiple engagements each year. He was also a highly respected and influential trombonist. On January 23, 1993, Dorsey passed away at the age of 93 in the master bedroom of his $130,000 Chicago home. In fact it won't go anywhere. Meyer Lansky. Popular bandleader. Dorsey (1899-1993) was born in Georgia. Born on July 1, 1899, Dorsey started his music career at the age of 5 when he began singing in local church choirs. [3][a], Religion and music were at the center of the Dorseys' lives, and young Thomas was exposed to a variety of musical styles in his early childhood. Beginning in 1932, he served as the churchs choir director for forty years. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday in A.R. Bright sunshine warmed spring gardners as they browsed through displays at the Spring Fling 2001, a lawn and landscape show at the Prince William. "Precious Lord" was written in Chicago in 1932 following the death of Thomas Dorsey's wife Nettie and infant son during childbirth. The database also contains older death records for some parishes, such as deaths that occurred in Jefferson parish before 1911, and deaths that occurred in Orleans parish as early as 1804. Mahalia Jackson sang at his funeral when King did not get to hear it. Between 1932 and 1944, he held "Evenings with Dorsey" on this circuit, teaching novices the best ways to deliver his songs. I'll never get out of this place alive. . Jackson then started working with Thomas A. Dorsey, a gospel composer; the two performed around the U.S., further cultivating an audience for Jackson. This service only issues certified copies of microfilmed death certificates for deaths that occurred in Louisiana between 1911-1971. He penned 3,000 songs, a third of them gospel, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley". Reflecting back, Dorsey said, Gospel is good music sent down from the Lord to save the peopleThere is no such thing as black music, white music, red or blue musicIts what everybody needs. For his many contributions, Thomas Dorsey has been called the Father of Gospel Music. He was buried at burial place, Idaho. Thereafter, though he continued writing, he concentrated on lecturing and administrative duties. Thomas Dorsey. Hagerstown, Md. Courtesy of Hogan Jazz Archive, Tulane University, African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Education - Historically Black Colleges (HBCU), http://www.umich.edu/~afroammu/standifer/dorsey.html, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Dorsey served as the music director at Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church for 50 years, introducing musical improvisation and encouraging personal elements of participation such as clapping, stomping, and shouting in churches when these were widely condemned as unrefined and common. Nix elongated some notes to emphasize specific syllables and words and sped up others. . Police and Dorsey's family denied . Clark; two great-grandchildren, Madelyn Dorsey and Bryson Cubbage. His death was ruled to have been caused by an accidental choking which occurred when he threw up while sleeping. Heres a look into the late legend's life. [45] Choruses were stocked primarily with women, often untrained singers with whom Dorsey worked personally, encouraging many women who had little to no participation in church before to become active. Thomas A. Dorsey released in 1973. These migrants were refugees from poverty and the systemic racism endemic throughout the Jim Crow South. . This Swedish Christmas childrens hymn captures the moment of Jesus birth.. . He gained fame accompanying blues belter Ma Rainey on tour and, billed as "Georgia Tom", joined with guitarist Tampa Red in a successful recording career. Fulfilled, perhaps. Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 - November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. . She was asked to sing it twice more; the response was so enthusiastic that Dorsey sold 4,000 print copies of his song. Thomas A. Dorsey Net Worth. 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Of his 1,000 musical works, at least 200 were gospel songs. After a spiritual awakening, Dorsey began concentrating on writing and arranging religious music. His void will be felt for a lifetime. Thomas was retired from Trinity Hospital where he worked as a technician in sterile processing Department, where he was affectionately called "Big Daddy" for many years. The Dorsey family relocated from rural Villa Rica, GA to Atlanta in 1908. Last Known Residence . [34] After writing to his sister that he was lonely and wanted to be around children, she sent Dorsey's niece Lena McLin to live with him. [18][h], Throughout his career, Dorsey composed more than 1,000 gospel and 2,000 blues songs, an achievement Mahalia Jackson considered equal to Irving Berlin's body of work. [36] He is buried at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. Thomas Dorsey was born July 1, 1899, just outside Atlanta. Thomas E Dorsey Thomas Dorsey (1923 - 1998) Jump to: Bio graphy Family Photos Comments Obit uary. Dorsey was born July 1, 1899 in Villa Rica, GA., to the Reverend and Mrs. T. M. Dorsey, one of 10 children. Born: 1-Jul-1899 Birthplace: Villa Rica, GA Died: 23-Jan-1993 Location of death: Chicago, IL Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried, Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, IL Gender: Male Religion: Baptist Race or Ethnicity: Black Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Musician, Composer Nationality: United States Executive summary: The father of gospel . Discover Precious Lord: The Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey by Rev. Handy and George Gershwin. I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tommy. He stopped recording in 1934 but toured widely into the 1940s. Last Known Residence . The family has requested in Toms name for donations to be sent to the Blue Knights of Ohio III. While presiding over rehearsals, Dorsey was strict and businesslike. At the theater, he learned to play the piano and by age 12 . [9], Rainey enjoyed enormous popularity touring with a hectic schedule, but beginning in 1926 Dorsey was plagued by a two-year period of deep depression, even contemplating suicide. ), McLin became a composer, singer, and voice coach for, Numerous sources state Dorsey coined the term "gospel" to refer to sacred music, but W. M. Nix, the singer who inspired Dorsey at the 1921 National Baptist Convention, compiled a songbook titled, NCGCC annual meetings were also attended by members of the, Dorsey later stated that all the praise he received for this song never eclipsed his grief, saying, "None of it's ever been soothing to me, from that day to this day." Thomas Dorsey was a man who found himself conflicted between the work of man and the work of God. He retired from Pilgrim Baptist Church and the NCGCC soon after, though he continued to participate and perform when he was able. Handy for inspiring a flock of lowdown, dirty blues.. The police investigation determined a "father-son domestic disturbance was the initial cause of the altercation," according to the police release. "[21][22], In addition to the high spirited choir performances, Dorsey began introducing uptempo Negro spirituals, what he referred to as "jubilees", alongside published hymns in worship services. ex. [3], The Dorseys moved to Atlanta to find better opportunities when Thomas was eight years old. His songs continue to be performed to this day--not for nothing did Mahalia Jackson describe him as our Irving Berlin"--and the style he pioneered influenced everyone from James Cleveland to Aretha Franklin to Edwin Hawkins to the Winans. Worship Planning Death Records Search. Death and Aftermath. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. At eight he started writing his own music, and by 13, was playing piano in Atlanta, accompanying some of the famous jazz artists of the day. Last Known Residence . The death in childbirth of both his wife and newborn son devastated him. Many churches sought prestige in their musical offerings, which were often ornate and sophisticated liturgical compositions by classical European composers, such as Handel's Messiah (1742) and Mozart's Alleluia (1773). Dorsey died of Alzheimer's in 1993, listening to music on a Walkman. He was preceded in death by his parents. [46][i], Due to Dorsey's influence, the definition of gospel music shifted away from sacred song compositions to religious music that causes a physical release of pain and suffering, particularly in black churches. History of Hymns: 'When Christmas Morn is Dawning'. To obtain an actual death certificate (and not just the index) for persons dying in Los Angeles County after July 1, 1905, contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 12400 E. Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650. Similarly, the NCGCC in 1933 is described by Dorsey biographer Michael W. Harris as "a women's movement" as nine of the thirteen presiding officer positions were held by women. Thomas A. Dorsey was a thriving blues musician who was struck by tragedy in the thirties, thus inspiring him to focus primarily on religious music. He is described as stately and often detached, one writer attesting that from a distance, "Dorsey is not presented as a happy man. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Deemed the " father of gospel music, " Thomas Dorsey emerged, during the early 1930s, as the creator of an African American religious music style known as the gospel blues an idiom . He was born a salesman. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Hundreds of thousands of newly arrived migrants from the South, with an appreciation of blues, began to outnumber an older guard of ministers and parishioners who favored classical European music in services. I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Foley's version has been entered into the National Recording Registry as a culturally significant recording worthy of preservation. October 23, 1994 . The manager of a gospel quartet active in the 1930s stated that songs written by Dorsey and other songwriters copying him spread so far in such a short time that they were called "dorseys". He later combined jazz and blues with religious texts, giving birth to gospel music. He gave so much to so many over the years and was such a presence with the class of 1970. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Charles D. and Norma Jean "Moe" (Ferguson) Dorsey. Thomas Dorsey is known as one of the twentieth century's premier composers of gospel music. Ohio III multiple engagements each year a jokester at heart and he was able perform at several churches... Influential trombonist threw up while sleeping & # x27 ; s premier composers gospel! In Chicago in 1932 following the death in childbirth of both his wife and newborn devastated... 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