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Mattie Moss Clark (born Mattie Juliet Moss; March 26, 1925 – September 22, 1994) was an American gospel choir director and the mother of The Clark Sisters, a gospel vocal group. She was the longest-serving International Minister of Music for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). "Her arrangements, perhaps influenced by her classical training, replaced the unison or two-part textures of earlier gospel music with three-part settings of the music for soprano, alto, and tenor voice ranges—a technique that remained common in gospel choir music for decades afterward."[1]
Dr. Mattie Moss Clark | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mattie Juliet Moss |
| Born | March 26, 1925 Selma, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | September 22, 1994 (aged 69) Southfield, Michigan, U.S. |
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Early life
editMattie Juliet Moss was born the seventh of nine children to ministers Fred John Moss and Mattie Juliet Walker in Selma, Alabama.[2] She began playing piano at six. By twelve, she had become the musician for her mother's services at the Holiness Temple Church of Christ in Prayer[3] and traveled with her mother to play at mission services, a trend she passed on to daughter Twinkie.[4]
After high school, she attended Selma University and received training in classical music and choral singing. She moved to Detroit in 1947 to be with her sister Sybil Burke and became a member of Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. There, under the leadership of Bishop W. Rimson, she was baptized in the Holy Ghost and subsequently became the Minister of Music. She served a historic tenure as Minister of Music for both Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Cathedral Church of God in Christ, under Bishop John Seth Bailey. Soon she was in demand to train choirs at churches throughout the brotherhood of COGIC.[5]
Career
editIn 1958, she recorded "Going to Heaven to Meet the King", with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, becoming one of the first to teach and conduct a mass choir composed of members of different churches.[6][7] She received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of songs and recorded over 50 albums. She directed Cadillac Motor Company's Christmas choir for 11 years and also conducted community-wide mass choirs for the prestigious NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners.
In early-1968, Clark and Elma Hendricks convened a Sing-A-Rama in Detroit at Reverend C. L. Franklin‘s New Bethel Baptist Church (Detroit, Michigan). They formed a 1,000 voice choir and had legendary gospel singer, Reverend James Cleveland come in as a special guest. Cleveland so enjoyed the music and teaching classes that he told Clark he would like to create a similar convocation and maybe call it the Music Workshop of America. Clark suggested that he add “Gospel” to the title to let prospective attendees know it was gospel music only. Cleveland wasted no time in putting the word out. The first Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA)[8] convention took place in August 1968 at the King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit. The idea was to perpetuate the legacy and appreciation of gospel music through classes and provide an opportunity to expose new talent.
In 1979, she founded the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, which established itself as one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the country. In 1981, Trinity College in Pennsylvania conferred upon her one of their highest honors, the degree of Doctor of Humanities. After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as State Minister of Music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1, attending Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard.[9]
Personal life
editClark married twice. She wed her first husband, Leo Henry Cullum Sr, on December 30, 1945, and had two children, Leo Henry Cullum, Jr. and Jacqueline Lenita. After their divorce, she married Elder Elbert Clark (1927-2001) on November 30, 1952, and had four children, Denise Darchell, Elbernita Dionne, Dorinda Grace, and Karen Valencia. The Clarks divorced in 1973. Dr. Clark mentored her daughters, having them sing as part of her and their father's church's choir, Berea Church of God In Christ.[10]
In 1973, shortly after divorcing Elbert Clark, Clark sparked the forming of The Clark Sisters. After nearly ten years, Clark passed all responsibility of the group to daughter Twinkie (Elbernita), who became the leader of the group.[11]
Later years
editIn the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clark's health began to decline due to diabetes. According to Dorinda Clark-Cole, she had her right leg amputated and suffered a stroke, due to which she used a wheelchair. Despite failing health, Clark continued to record music into the last year of her life before succumbing to complications from diabetes on September 22, 1994, at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, at age 69.[3]
She was interred at Roseland Park Cemetery in Oakland County, Michigan.[12]
In addition to The Clark Sisters, Mattie Moss Clark's gospel singing legacy continues through her grandchildren Kierra Sheard, J. Drew Sheard, Angel Chisholm, Lorenzo, Larry and Derrick (of the Clark Brothers), and her nephews Bill Moss Jr., and J. Moss (part of the production team PAJAM).[13]
Actress Aunjanue Ellis played Clark in the 2020 Lifetime biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel to critical acclaim from fans, critics, and the Clark Sisters themselves.[14]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| A City Called Heaven (with The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ) |
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| Mattie Moss Clark and The Clesiastic Sounds
of the Church of God In Christ Detroit, Mich |
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| Seek Him And He Will Let You Come In |
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| Wonderful Grace Of Jesus |
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| That's Christ (with The Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| The Hands Of God Reached Out And Touched Me (with The South Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| A Song Is Born Vol. 1 |
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| I Don't Know What I Would Do Without The Lord (with The Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| The Wages Of Sin Is Death (with The Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| He Was Hung-Up For My Hang-Ups |
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| New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols (with The Clark Sisters) |
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| I Am Crucified With Christ (with The Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| Make Me That Building Not Made By Hand |
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| I Am Not Alone |
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| Is My Living In Vain (with The Dynamic Clark Sisters[B]) |
Point Productions, Sony Music Special Products |
| God's Got All You Need (with The Michigan State Community Choir[A]) |
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| That's Christ |
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| Douglas Miller And The Texas Southeast State Choir
With Mattie M. Clark (Recorded Live) |
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| Humble Thyself (with The Southwest Michigan State Choir[A]) |
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| The Southern California Holy Gospel Music Workshop |
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| Watch Ye Therefore (with The Michigan State Mass Choir[A]) |
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Albums Directed and Presented
edit| Album | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: None But The Pure In Heart | 1964 | Director |
| The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Wonderful, Wonderful | ||
| Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Lord, Renew My Spirit Within | 1968 | |
| 65th Annual Holy Convocation (Pentecost At Any Cost) | 1973 | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters | 1974 | Presenter |
| A Song Is Born Vol. III | 1975 | Director |
| A Song Is Born: Volume 4 Part 1 | 1976 | |
| A Song Is Born: Volume 4 Part 2 | Presenter | |
| Because He Lives | 1979 | Director |
| The Best Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ | Composer, Arranger, Director | |
| U.N.A.C. 5 Volume One | Producer, Director | |
| U.N.A.C. 5 Volume Three | ||
| U.N.A.C. 5 Volume Four | ||
| Live! U.N.A.C. 5 Miami Beach 1980 Volume 2 | 1980 | Director |
| Mattie Moss Clark presents Esther Smith & The Voices Of Deliverance – Recorded Live! At International Gospel Center, Ecorse, Michigan | Presenter | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Directs Southwest Michigan State Choir – Christ Won't Fail | 1982 | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Greater Williams Temple Choir (C.O.G.I.C.) – Live | ||
| Christ Won't Fail | Director | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents Kenneth Ward & The Central Illinois Mass Choir | 1983 | Presenter |
| Mattie Moss Clark, U.N.A.C-V Presents A Song Is Born, Recorded Live in Washington, D.C. | 1984 | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents UNAC 5* – Live At The Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida - July 6, 1985 | 1985 | Booking, Presenter, Executive Producer |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Church Of God In Christ International Mass Choir "A Song Is Born" - UNAC 5 Houston 1986 - Recorded Live | 1986 | Producer, Presenter |
| Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents Corey Skinner’s Collegiate Voices Of Faith | 1993 | Presenter |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents The C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir – Live In Atlanta | 1994 | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents A Reunion Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir (Recorded Live At Bailey Cathedral C.O.G.I.C., Detroit, MI) | 1995 | |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents Tony McGill & The Southern California Holy Gospel Music Feast (Live In Los Angeles) |
Other Appearances
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Lord Do Something For Me" | 1959 | Lord Do Something For Me |
| "None But The Pure In Heart" | 1964 | The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: None But The Pure In Heart |
| "I've Tried Jesus Yes He's Real" | ||
| "Sanctify Me Holy" | ||
| "Put On The Whole Armour Of God" | ||
| "Wonderful! Wonderful!" | The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Wonderful, Wonderful | |
| "Put Your Trust In Jesus" | ||
| "I Found Joy In The Holy Ghost" | 1967 | A Closer Walk With Thee |
| "He Will Supply Your Need" | ||
| "What I Need To Keep Me" | 1968 | Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Lord, Renew My Spirit Within |
| "Lord, Renew My Spirit Within" | ||
| "He Abides" | 1971 | James Cleveland Presents The Gospel Workshop Of America Mass Choir – Recorded Live In Dallas, Texas |
| "Renew My Spirit" | 1974 | Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters |
| "Jesus Loves You" | 1976 | Unworthy |
| "Prepare Yourself" | 1978 | Count It All Joy |
| "My Cup Runneth Over" | 1979 | He Gave Me Nothing To Lose |
| "He Abides" | The Best Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ | |
| "None But The Pure In My Heart" | ||
| "Sanctify Me Holy" | ||
| "Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful" | ||
| "Lord Renew My Spirit Within" | ||
| "Salvation Is Free" | ||
| "He Delivered Me" | ||
| "Now The Day Is Over" | 1980 | Mattie Moss Clark presents Esther Smith & The Voices Of Deliverance – Recorded Live! At International Gospel Center, Ecorse, Michigan |
| "Thy Word Have I Hidden In My Heart" | ||
| "We Have Come To Worship" | Take One Day At A Time | |
| "Unto Thee Old Lord" | ||
| "Blessed Be Thy Name" | ||
| "I Can Do All things" | COGIC International Mass Choir Presents: I Can Do All Things | |
| "Even Me Lord" | ||
| "Psalms 31" | 1981 | You Brought the Sunshine |
| "Someday" | 1982 | Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Greater Williams Temple Choir (C.O.G.I.C.) – Live |
| "Never Mind" | Sincerely | |
| "Christ Won't Fail" | Mattie Moss Clark Directs Southwest Michigan State Choir – Christ Won't Fail | |
| "The Lord Is My Light" | ||
| "Lift Up The Standard For The King" | ||
| "I've Never Seen The Righteous Forsaken" | 1986 | Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Church Of God In Christ International Mass Choir "A Song Is Born" - UNAC 5 Houston 1986 - Recorded Live |
| "My Faith Looks Up To Thee" (arranged by Moss Clark) | ||
| "I Tried Jesus" | 1993 | Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents Corey Skinner’s Collegiate Voices Of Faith |
| "Be Still And Know That I Am God" | 1994 | Dr. Mattie Moss Clark* Presents The C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir – Live In Atlanta |
| "Be Still (Reprise)" |
References
edit- ^ "Clark, Mattie Moss | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com.
- ^ "Bio". www.cogic.org.
- ^ a b Alexander, Estrelda Y. (2018-06-22). The Dictionary of Pan-African Pentecostalism, Volume One: North America. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-5326-6133-4.
- ^ "Official Website Of Dorinda Clark-Cole - Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark". www.ladydorindaclarkcole.net.
- ^ "Official Website Of Dorinda Clark-Cole - Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark". www.ladydorindaclarkcole.net. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ McNeil, W. K. (2005). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music - W. K. McNeil - Google Books. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780418631792. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ Boyer, Horace Clarence (2000). The Golden Age of Gospel - Horace Clarence Boyer - Google Books. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252068775. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ "Black History Inspiration Spotlight: Rev. James Cleveland". Praise 104.1. 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- ^ "Dr. Mattie Moss Clark". Malaco Records.
- ^ Biswas, Shuvrajit Das (April 11, 2020). "The Clark Sisters First Ladies of Gospel's True Story, Explained".
- ^ "The Legendary Clark Sisters". www.kennedy-center.org. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ "Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Obituary". Detroit Free Press. 1994-09-24. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- ^ "Dr. Mattie Moss Clark". Malaco Records. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "Clips & Cast Photos To Lifetime's The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel". March 29, 2020.