By: Nia Simone Weeks
Jubilee Quartets (1880-1929)
- “In the early 20th century, many African American families in the Northwest Piedmont were rooted in the community quartet tradition that would act as predecessor to early gospel traditions. This acapella quartet tradition was based on the singing of the Fisk Jubilee singers, and the gospel quartet groups were originally labeled “jubilee quartets”” (NCpedia).
Types of Jubilee Quartets
- University Jubilee Quartets- This singing movement emerged after American Civil War and also the educational establishment of newly freed slaves.
- Minstrel Jubilee Quartets- early minstrels reflected White racial imagination of African-Americans and initially restricted them from performing in White shows,African-Americans responded by forming minstrel quartets of their own.
- Community-Based Jubilee Quartets- This mostly consisted of males who had no formal training in western classical music, and it consisted of first and second tenor, baritone, and bass.
- Sharp Note/Sacred Harp Quartets- This was sometimes referred to as white spiritual and white gospel singing, African-Americans adapted the genre,and it was drawn from standard hymns, gospel hymns, spirituals, and other secular music.
- Barbershop Community Quartets- Several African American sacred and secular quartets were established in neighborhood barbershops and tradition was first observed among African-Americans in the 1880s.
Transitional Period (1930-1945)
- Quartets continued to perform folk spiritual songs and other secular folk songs.
- Along with religious songs (jubilees, spirituals, and gospel) repertoire also needed folk songs, patriotic songs, and show tunes
- They adjusted their repertoire based on the race of the audience
- It expanded into 5 members, which enabled two lead singers to alternate verses or phrases known as swing lead.
Gospel Period (1946-1969)
- Quartet music changed due to the increasing rise in Gospel music.
- Instruments were added: Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drum, and electric bass
- More voices were added such alternating soloists
- improvised testimonies
- Vibrato, Growl, and Soloists
