Jubilee Quartet

The Jubilee There were three periods throughout the development of Jubilee Quartets. The first period was from 1880-1929 known as the jubilee period. The second period was from 1930-1945 known as the transitional period. The final period was the gospel period from 1946-1969. Quartet time period ranged from 1880 to 1929. The different types of Jubilee Quartets were University, Minstrel, Community-Based, Shape Note/Sacred Harp, and Barbershop Community. Typically these quartets begin with a soloist introducing a hook and the remaining group members join in and build with the soloist to complete it. Common instruments used in Jubilee Quartets were bass, drums, and later guitar. 

The Jubilee period was from 1880-1929. A well noted group from 1911 was the Fisk University Quartet. They were a black a cappella ensemble that was founded after the end of the American Civil War to educate freedman and other young African Americans. Quartets dressed professionally in matching suits and tuxes. The next jubilee time period was known as the transitional period which was from 1930-1945. During the transitional period quartets performed folk spiritual songs, secular folk songs, patriotic songs, and commercial/slow tunes. Another difference that came to quartets during this period was the group expanded to 5 members. The next jubilee quartet period was the gospel period which was from 1946-1969. Quartet music shifted to gospel because of its rise of popularity. In this quartet style instruments like electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drum, and electric bass. Additionally more voices were added, solos were given, testimonies were shared, and vibrato increased.