Jackson grew up in a strict religious environment. She was forced to limit her own musical pursuits to singing in the church choir and secretly listening to recordings of Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, and Enrico Caruso.
Her father’s family included several entertainers. She moved to Chicago when she was 16 and joined the Greater Salem Baptist Church choir. Her remarkable contralto voice quickly earned her a spot as a soloist.
When Jackson took part in a cross-country gospel tour in the 1930s and sang songs like “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “I Can Put My Trust in Jesus,” she first attracted a lot of attention from the general public. Her first album, “God Gonna Separate the Wheat from the Tares,” came out in 1934 and was a hit, which led to a number of other albums.
What was Mahalia Jackson cause of death?
Jackson’s final years were marked by severe health issues that necessitated frequent hospitalizations.
Her death was immediately attributed to heart disease, according to a hospital spokesperson.
