Gospel Music is a kind of religious music that mainly emphasizes rhythmic instrumental accompaniment and impromptu singing. It refers to both a song and a way of singing. The melody lines are rich in decoration, and the singing form is used to lead the crowd. The lyrics mostly reflect the personal religious experience of the believers.

Gospel music originated from the history that after black serfs in the United States accepted the Christian faith, they often prayed in the fields, hoping to reduce the pain of labor. It soon evolved into an impromptu musical performance.

Representative Singer

In the 1920s, gospel music began to appear as an independent music type. During this period, for example, the black composer Thomas A. Dorsey was composing music. , blending early gospel music with the beats of blues and jazz. Early gospel solo singers include Sally Martin, Rosetta Tharp, and Mahalia Jackson.

Famous bands include Caravan, Clara Ward Singers, Sensational Nightingales, Swan Silvertones and Soul Stirrers.

Many gospel music singers also sing rhythm and blues, the famous ones being Asa Franklin and Sam Cooke. They borrowed the singing style of gospel music from rhythm and blues to create a new style of soul music. James Cleveland was the most famous gospel music singer in the 1960s and 1970s. The Winans were the most popular gospel music band of the 1990s.