Origins
The concept of a Jubilee quartet traces back to the Fisk Jubilee singers, a group of students from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, who began performing in 1871. The group’s goal was the raise funds for the school by singing negro spirituals, songs rooted in the experience of enslaved African Americans. The group’s success popularized spirituals and introduced the genre to U.S. and European audiences.
The evolution
By the early 20th century, the Jubilee style evolved with the emergence of A capped, a vocal quartet. Groups like the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet and Golden Gate Quartet became popular in the 1920s and the 1930s, performing secular and sacred music. These quartets used elements of syncopation, improvisation, and call-and-response. Many of these groups rose to fame because of radio broadcasts and recordings, helping them reach broader audiences. Their amazing stage presence and powerful harmonies made Jubilee quartets a staple in African American culture and significantly impacted genres like jazz and Blues.
The legacy of the Jubilee Quartet
The Jubilee quartet tradition etched a mark on American music. It served as the connection between spirituals of the past and gospel and R&B of the future. Artists like Sam Cooke, who launched his career through the gospel quartet The Soul Stirrers, brought the tradition to the forefront of American music, seamlessly integrating it with contemporary styles. Today, the legacy of the Jubilee quartet lives on through cappella groups and gospel choirs. The Jubilee Quartet preserved African American spiritual traditions and laid the foundation for a more diverse and inclusive musical scene.
