Williams, Marion

▪ 1995

      U.S. gospel singer (b. Aug. 29, 1927, Miami, Fla.—d. July 2, 1994, Philadelphia, Pa.), drew on blues, jazz, folk, and calypso music as inspirations for her innovative vocals, which included octave-spanning leaps from contralto to spine-tingling falsetto tones; her exceptional artistry was often compared to that of Mahalia Jackson. As a child Williams began singing with the congregation at her neighbourhood Church of God. Professional opportunities, however, had to be put off while she attended to her work as a laundress, which helped support the family. In 1947 Williams joined the Ward Singers, and she soon became the star of the group. Williams' solo interpretation of the song "Surely God Is Able" was the group's first recording to sell one million copies. After scoring such great hits as "Packin' Up" and "I'm Climbing Higher and Higher," she left the Ward Singers (1958) to form the Stars of Faith and pursue a solo career. Besides performing in Black Nativity, the first gospel musical, Williams gained exposure with her television-commercial rendition of "Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go," 10 record albums, and singing appearances in the films Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Mississippi Masala (1992). In 1993 she was the first singer to receive a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant.

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