Jubilee Quartets by Nina Lee
Jubilee quartets can be thought of taking the keeping the spirit from negro spirituals but giving it a modern-day flair through the way it was delivered. Many of the groups were successful during the early 1900s due to the content of the music. It was something very familiar to many, but it took away the soberness associated with many negro spirituals. Some notable groups are the Golden Gate Quartet, The Jubalaries, Norfolk Jubilee Quartet, Five Blind Boys, Soul Stirrers, The Fairfield Four and many more.
Jubilee Quartets went through 3 stages
Jubilee Quartets 1880-1929
Transitional 1930-1945
Gospel 1946-1969
Examples of Each Stage Below
The first jubilee quartet would be considered to be the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The group was first created in 1871. They would travel around the country to raise money for the school. The group still exists today.
Today, most quartet groups are more gospel based like the World Famous Zion Harmonizers, a gospel group from New Orleans. (Left)
Also there are groups today that pay tribute to the original groups. The Golden Gate quartet original members were replaced to new ones. (Right)
