The jubilee period occurred from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century as a way for Black colleges to gain support for their financial hardships. Fisk University, also known as the Fisk Jubilee Singers, was the first university to establish a tour to provide a financial cushion. Because of this, the establishment of other university quartets helped to reinforce the popularity of quartets. The quartets consisted of male and female a capella ensemble of four to six voices that perform formal arrangements in close four-part harmony, with rhythmic style of singing. African-American quartets quickly caught attention, due to their musical styles; which incorporated blue notes, hocket, and melisma. Minstrel jubilee, community-based quartets, sacred harp, and gospel quartets are the different forms of quartets and they all expressed various styles of singing.
As time progressed, the commodification of quartets led to radio broadcasting, touring, and a crossover phenomena. In the twentieth century, the quartet evolved into a sub-genre of gospel music and assisted with the evolution of secular and sacred music.
Quartet competitions also known as song battles originated in the 1940s. These contests functioned to promote and maintain high standards of quartet musical performance, to define and validate black cultural aesthetics and values, and finally to provide a forum for sharing collective expressive behavior in the community. They were held in Churches, high schools, universities, and other community gathering center. The contestants were awarded audience admiration or trophies while larger contests were publicized and sponsored by individuals who sought profit. Groups that were involved in these competitions were The Fairfield Four, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Flying Clouds of Detroit, and Golden Gate Quartet.
Sam Cooke, Dinwiddie Colored Quartet, Dixie Hummingbirds, Willie Dixon, Fairfield Four, Five Blind Boys, Georgia Minstrels, Golden Gate Quartet, Pilgrim Travelers, Soul Stirrers, Wheat Street Female Quartet, and Zion Harmonizers
Honorary Hidden Treasure: Wheat Street Female Quartet By: Alexia Khalil The Wheat Street Female Quartet The Wheat Street Female Quartet originated in Atlanta, Georgia in
By: Gabrielle Weeden What is A Jubilee Quartet The term “Jubilee” comes from the biblical phrase “Year of the Jubilee,” in which African Americans who
Who Was The Golden Gate Quartet? The Golden Gate Quartet, an acapella jubilee quartet formed in 1934, broke racial barriers during a time where African
By: Autumn Johnson What is a Jubilee Quartet? Jubilee Quartets were religious music groups comprised of African Americans. There were three major time periods of
History of Jubilee Quartets Jubilee Quartets were music groups that became popular in the early 20th century. The genre was very male dominated; however, there
Emergence and Rise of Jubilee Quartets Jubilee Quartets consist of at least four harmonious voices. They emerged around the 1800s, with a specific type called
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