Dorothy Norwood
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Norwood is an American gospel
singer. She began touring with her family at the age of eight, and in 1956, began singing with Mahalia Jackson
. In the early 1960s she was a member of ]The Caravans
, and in 1964, she embarked on a solo career, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus. Her 1991 album Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir reached the Number 1 position on Billboard's Top Forty.
, she began singing and touring with her family at the age of eight. In 1956, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was soon singing with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson
. Shortly after, during the early 1960s, Norwood became a member of the gospel group The Caravans
, which would include such gospel music legends as the Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker
who is also Dorothy's role model and confidant. Other members of the Caravans include Shirley Caesar
, Inez Andrews
, Delores Washington and the late Rev. James Cleveland
.
. It brought her national attention and was certified Gold. She followed it up with the stirring Denied Mother, which also went Gold, and earned her the title "World's Greatest Storyteller".
In her 50 plus years in the Gospel Music Industry, Norwood has recorded over 40 albums, five of which were certified Gold. She has also received numerous awards and citations, including six
Grammy Award nominations. As renowned as she is in America, she is just as large in Europe. She has performed in Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and England. In 1972 Norwood agreed to do a 30 state American tour with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. She was able to spread the Gospel in a mission field that was virtually closed to gospel artists.
and recorded Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir. It was an immediate hit, reaching the Number 1 position on Billboard's Top Forty after only 7 weeks. Her second project earned a Stellar Award nomination as well as a Grammy Award nomination.
Norwood presently lives in Georgia
.
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
singer. She began touring with her family at the age of eight, and in 1956, began singing with Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
. In the early 1960s she was a member of ]The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
, and in 1964, she embarked on a solo career, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus. Her 1991 album Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir reached the Number 1 position on Billboard's Top Forty.
Early life and work with the Caravans
Born in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, she began singing and touring with her family at the age of eight. In 1956, she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was soon singing with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
. Shortly after, during the early 1960s, Norwood became a member of the gospel group The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
, which would include such gospel music legends as the Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker
Albertina Walker
-Early years:Walker was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Ruben and Camille Coleman Walker. Her mother was born in Houston County, Georgia, and her father in Bibb County, Georgia. They moved to Chicago between 1917-1920 where they lived out their lives. Albertina had four siblings born in Bibb County...
who is also Dorothy's role model and confidant. Other members of the Caravans include Shirley Caesar
Shirley Caesar
Shirley Ann Caesar is an American Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned six decades...
, Inez Andrews
Inez Andrews
Inez Andrews is an American gospel singer and recording artist.-Biography:In 1957, Andrews became a member of the gospel group The Caravans; she auditioned for Albertina Walker and Dorothy Norwood, and they sent for her in Chicago...
, Delores Washington and the late Rev. James Cleveland
James Cleveland
The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
.
Solo career
Norwood launched her solo career in 1964 and recorded her first album Johnny and Jesus on Savoy RecordsSavoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
. It brought her national attention and was certified Gold. She followed it up with the stirring Denied Mother, which also went Gold, and earned her the title "World's Greatest Storyteller".
In her 50 plus years in the Gospel Music Industry, Norwood has recorded over 40 albums, five of which were certified Gold. She has also received numerous awards and citations, including six
Grammy Award nominations. As renowned as she is in America, she is just as large in Europe. She has performed in Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and England. In 1972 Norwood agreed to do a 30 state American tour with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. She was able to spread the Gospel in a mission field that was virtually closed to gospel artists.
Later career
In February 1991, Evangelist Norwood signed with Malaco RecordsMalaco Records
Malaco Records is an independent record label based in Jackson, Mississippi. Malaco is and has been the home of various major soul, blues and gospel acts, such as Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Bland, ZZ Hill, Denise LaSalle, Benny Latimore, Dorothy Moore, Little Milton, Shirley Brown, Marvin Sease, and the...
and recorded Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir. It was an immediate hit, reaching the Number 1 position on Billboard's Top Forty after only 7 weeks. Her second project earned a Stellar Award nomination as well as a Grammy Award nomination.
Norwood presently lives in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
External links
- http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/card/0,,474111,00.html Dorothy Norwood bio at Artist Direct website
- http://dorothynorwood.com Dorothy Norwood's Official