The cause of her death is unknown. American Singer Mahalia Jackson was born Mahala Jackson on 26th October, 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA and passed away on 27th Jan 1972 Evergreen Park, Illinois, USA aged 60. Often referred to as the 'Queen of Gospel', Jackson was revered as an outstanding singer and civil rights activist.
Follow Keith Spera on Twitter, @KeithSpera. The first book on Jackson in 25 years, Mahalia Jackson and the Black Gospel Field draws on a trove of previously unexamined archival sources that illuminate Jackson's childhood in New Orleans and her negotiation of parallel careers as a singing Baptist evangelist and a mass media entertainer, documenting the unfolding material and symbolic influence of Jackson and black gospel music in postwar American society. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire. BROOKS: I never quit until I felt in my spirit that I had gotten it. Born in New Orleans before migrating to Chicago, Mahalia Jackson (1911-72) is undoubtedly the most widely known black gospel singer, having achieved fame among African American communities in the 1940s then finding a wide audience among non-black U.S. and international audiences after she signed with major label Columbia Records in 1954. What happened to Mahalia Jackson fortune? That was the prize., As Heilbut writes in the new CDs liner notes, Jackson loved food, loved men, occasionally liked a nip Her bawdy sense of humor would have matched Ma Raineys. Indeed, if Martin Luther King Jr., had a favorite opening act, it was Mahalia Jackson, who performed by his side many times. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. She died on January 27, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. Isaac "Ike" Hockenhull - They married in 1936 when she was 24, and divorced in 1943 due to her hectic traveling schedule and his excessive gambling. Follows the successful career of Jackson as well as her unique friendship and devotion to Martin Luther King Jr. and her unsung contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. But he had no plans to travel to New Orleans, and the HNOC wasn't willing to send him the material. This made-for-TV biopic might have worked better as a mini-series, considering the vast life experience and historical significance of its subject, Mahalia Jackson, magnificently embodied by Brooks. It was a blood battle, Heilbut said. How would you describe that? New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Evergreen Park, Cook, Illinois, United States, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVC-RLDV, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q23W-4MQP, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJ1-1QQZ, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92223815/mahalia-jackson-and-minters-galloway, https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123498527, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVC-RLDV, https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/mahalia-jackson, US Black Heritage Project, Needs Connection, Providence Memorial Park, Metairie, Louisiana, US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles. Mahalia Jackson is heralded as one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. When it came down to actually stepping into [Mahalia Jacksons] shoes, I had to hang onto to faith, because I realized that I would have to sing all these songs.
Artist: Mahalia Jackson | SecondHandSongs How does Mahalia engage in the Civil Rights Movement? Trova questo libro nella versione stampata. Built upon foundations laid by pioneering Chicago organizers in the 1930s, black gospel singing, with Jackson as its most visible representative, began to circulate in novel ways as a form of popular culture in the 1940s and 1950s, its practitioners accruing prestige not only through devout integrity but also from their charismatic artistry, public recognition, and pop-cultural cachet. She has the support of two friends, Estelle (Olivia Washington) and her pianist Mildred (Joaquina Kalukango). In her lifetime, Mahalia Jackson was one of the greatest musical talents in the United States in the 20th century, earning her the title of the "Queen of Gospel." Advertisement Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was only 60. Best Known For: 20th-century recording artist Mahalia Jackson, known as the Queen of Gospel, is revered as one of the greatest musical figures in U.S. history.
The Real Mahalia Jackson - Facts The Mahalia Movie Left Out - Parle Mag The Chicago Tribute marker in front of her home at 8358 South Indiana Avenue tells us as much. Her recording of the song Move on Up a Little Higher sold millions of copies, skyrocketing her to international fame and gave her the opportunity to perform at diverse settings, including in front of a racially integrated audience at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, as well as at John F. Kennedys inaugural ball. . Mahalia Jackson - Summertime / Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (Official Audio) - YouTube 0:00 / 6:45 Mahalia Jackson - Summertime / Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.
Jason Dirden on playing Mahalia Jackson's great love in the film His quest was not without its setbacks. Mahalia Jackson: Voice Of The Civil Rights Movement. During the panel, Leon, Roberts, and Brooks were quick to tout their Southern roots, which each believes positively influenced certain production decisions. Mahalia Jackson was born in October 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the scene showing Mahalia Jackson's debut at Carnegie Hall, the song she sings is "How I Got Over," which was composed by Clara Ward, her chief rival as the #1 Black female gospel singer. Marriage: Spouse: Sigmond Galloway Despite the inscription of Jacksons birth year on her headstone as 1912, she was actually born in 1911. The upcoming biopic Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jackson the first project produced under a partnership between Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts and Lifetime, which was inked in 2018 is a fictionalized retelling of 40 years in the life of one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, dubbed the .
Jackson, Mahalia | The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education This occurred when Mildred asked for a raise. Brooks is joined by an impressive list of Broadway stars including Tony nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Jason Dirden (Fences), Olivia Washington (The Butler) and Rob Demery (Lovecraft Country). This "Louisiana Cinderella" narrative of Jackson's career during the decade following World War II carried important meanings for African Americans, though it remains a story half told. By what name was Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021) officially released in Canada in English? For Heilbut, it serves an even higher purpose: offering further proof of the genius of Mahalia Jackson. The gospel legend's soulful voice both comforted and galvanized African Americans during the Civil Rights. But things started to speed up when Kenny said Danielle Brooks I get chills all over again just thinking about it when he knew that he could have her, and the entire cast, many who knew each other, and the timing of it all. The record is a hit, and Mahalia gets offered a show at Carnegie Hall. Why did Mahalia Jackson get a hysterectomy? During the same time, other hit songs such as Let the Power of the Holy Ghost Fall on Me (1949), Go Tell It on the Mountain (1950) and The Lords Prayer (1950) became iconic compositions as well. This fall, six years after he first heard the Russell recordings, Moving On Up a Little Higher was finally released.
From the Archives: Mahalia Jackson, Renowed Gospel Singer, Dies at 60 I've watched her work from afar and we've known each other in New . Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? Some potentially upsetting scenes include archive footage of civil rights protestors being beaten back by armed guards, water hoses, and barking dogs; the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., depicted here as a friend of Mahalia's; and illnesses (Mahalia has a hysterectomy, her pianist dips her arthritic hands in boiling water, a man dies of bone cancer). She carried the rich musical heritage of her native city with her when she moved to Chicago. Have you taken a DNA test? Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Jonathan Majors on Oscar Favorites, Bad Reviews, and the Road Trip That Made Him Realize He Was a Star, The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, How Michael B. Jordans Love of Anime Shaped Creed III Fight Scenes, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. External links are provided for reference purposes. "Pop music was. Reporting from Chicago . She also adopted a boy she found on the street and regularly provided people with money, gifts, and food.
Mahalia Jackson and the Black Gospel Field | Oxford Academic Robin Roberts Presents: Mahaliapremieres Saturday, April 3 at 8 p.m. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! In the film, Dirden stars as Russell Roberts, the dashing, music-loving Reverend who falls for Mahalia when they first meet in the late 1940s while Kalukango takes on the role of Mildred, Mahalia . Eventually, Jackson achieved unprecedented mass-mediated celebrity, breaking through in the late 1940s as an internationally recognized recording artist for Apollo and Columbia Records who also starred in her own radio and television programs. Without warning, Smith had found exactly what he needed. Mahalia Jackson, the renowned gospel singer and civil rights activist, certainly had a fascinating life, perhaps too interesting to fit into a one-and-a-half-hour film. He offered to buy the house, and the sale was made in 1972. Parents need to know that Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia tells the inspiring life story of a legendary Black gospel singer, a role played and sung by Danielle Brooks. Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021 TV Movie) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Kenny Leon Writing Credits (in alphabetical order) Cast Produced by Music by Matthew Head Cinematography by Adam Sliwinski Film Editing by Melissa Kent Casting By Catharine Falcon Bim Narine Jason L. Wood Production Design by When it came down to actually stepping into [Mahalia Jacksons] shoes, I had to hang onto to faith, because I realized that I would have to sing all these songs. The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement. "This is the first time that we've worked together. As on Getting Happy In Chicago, the sound is far from professional, Heilbut said. Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Books About LGBTQ+ Youth, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews. Jackson took centerstage at the historic march, where she not only performed as the lead-in to Kings I Have a Dream speech, but she also played a direct role in turning that speech into one of the most memorable and meaningful in American history. The "N" word is used once. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. But religious passion was paramount in Jacksons life, and no sacred-to-secular transformation would mark her career as it did so many others.
Jason Dirden shares why Danielle Brooks was the "perfect choice" to "Mahalia" barely touches on Jackson's relationship to other famous jazz, blues and gospel singers, including Aretha Franklin, who met Jackson when she was a child. It was only by the mid-1940s that she finally discovered her natural groove, recording William Herbert Brewsters Move On Up a Little Higher. Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26, 1911 to John A. Jackson Sr and Charity Clark.
8 of Mahalia Jackson's Most Influential Moments But the book is also a study of the black gospel field of which Jackson was a part. This was a long, long project, but it was very important to me, Heilbut said. Mahalia Jackson: October 1968: Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra: Whither Thou Goest: Mahalia Jackson - Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Johnny Williams: 1962: Laurie Loman with Hank Russell's Orchestra and Chorus: Without a Song: Mahalia Jackson: 1955: Lois Deppe & Russell Woodling's Jubilee Singers . Along the way, she introduced gospel to major jazz and folk festivals, as well as Carnegie Hall.
'Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story' Aims to Dignify the January 1961: John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Gala. A few days later, on January 27, 1972, Jackson passed away. A devout Baptist, she was nonetheless influenced by Bessie Smith and the rhythm & blues she heard all around her. Biography ID: 49692742. Text from 1990. As the "Queen of Gospel," Mahalia Jackson sang all over the world, performing with the same passion at the presidential inauguration of John F. Kennedy that she exhibited when she sang at fundraising events for the African American freedom struggle. Maren Morris says being a first-time mom gave her "this other layer of life": "I write songs differently now", Learn how to catch a wave & other "useless knowledge" from The Offspring's new video series , Jason Dirden shares why Danielle Brooks was the "perfect choice" to play Mahalia Jackson. #6 Mahalia Jackson. Who Really Has the Holly-est, Jolliest Christmas: Hallmark, Lifetime, or Netflix? Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names. Mahalia is hugely fascinating, he said. Original record sleeve, written by George Avakian: "The recordings in this collection were made in the course of two consecutive evenings at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City.For Mahalia's debut on the Columbia Label, Mitch Miller had asked her to prepare some new songs for single record release, and I had hoped to get a start toward making an album of spirituals and . Follows the successful career of Jackson as well as her unique friendship and devotion to Martin Luther King Jr. and her unsung contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
Mahalia Jackson and the Black Gospel Field - Google Books It shouldnt have taken so long.. Rev. Excellent portrayal of extraordinary musician. Fans can finally hear these previously unreleased gems from one of the most potent voices to ever emerge from New Orleans. He recorded her at a 1951 folk concert at Chicagos Wendell Phillips High School; a 1951 symposium at the Music Inn in Lenox, Mass. During her last years Jackson was often ill; she died in Evergreen Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, of a heart condition and was buried in New Orleans. However, HNOC associate curator Aimee Everett agreed to bring an MP3 player containing the Jackson recordings with her when she attended a 2010 conference in Rochester, New York. including in the volume interview transcripts and the largely-untouched papers of Jackson's associate Bill Russell, who kept a journal tracking Jackson's activities from 1951 to 1955. Despite working together for many years their relationship eventually soured. So I am a Southern, Black, Christian storyteller, and Ive worked with Danielle Brooks, who is so beautiful, so clear, so funny, and I knew that I wanted to work with her again.. I give a 9/10 for being a convincing Mahalia. Danielle Brooks portrays the Civil Rights Icon in the upcoming TV biopic 'Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia.' Ahead of the premiere of Lifetime's 'Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia,' tap into some. Chauncey. See production, box office & company info, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.
Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree As 16, she moved to Chicago to live with relatives, work menial jobs and join the choir at Greater Salem Baptist Church. Leon and Roberts hand-picked Brooks to play the iconic gospel singer, which she viewed as both a blessing and a moment of intimidation when she realized how much responsibility she would have to assume. While researching one of his books at the Library of Congress, he found a recording of Jacksons landmark appearance at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. Mahalia Jackson passed away at a relatively young age of 60 on January 27, 1972. . Her father was never around and it is believed that was an arrangement her parents had in place before she was even born. ", "I would love [and] welcome the opportunityto work with her again," Dirden continues. It wasn't just her talent that won her legions of fans, but also her active participation in the Civil Rights Movement and her lifelong dedication to helping those less fortunate. Ethnicity: African American Photo courtesy the William Russell Jazz Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection, acquisition made possible by the Clarisse Claiborne Grima Fund. Her passionate contralto and emotional, instinctive style she was the gospel equivalent of blues singer Bessie Smith soon earned her bookings in other black churches around Chicago. She had the acting chops.
Mahalia Jackson | Biography, Songs, & Facts | Britannica Family (1) Spouse Death: Cause of death: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes mellitus Her mother was Charity Clark while her father was Johnny Jackson.
Mahalia Jackson - Pinterest Download The Mahalia Jackson Reader full books in PDF, epub, and Kindle. Mahalia Jackson was born into poverty in the Black Pearl neighborhood of New Orleans, and found her rapturous voice at Mount Moriah Baptist Church.
Mahalia Russell - Historical records and family trees - MyHeritage Religious music was her passion she refused to sing secular songsbut she was not immune to more earthly impulses, including a fierce competition with other gospel singers. Jackson's hit song "Move on Up a Little Higher" sold millions of copies, gaining her international notoriety. On August 28, 1963, as she took to the podium before an audience of . Father John A. Jackson, Sr. Mildred Falls was a sickly woman also and Mahalia didnt think it was wise for 2 sick ladies to be on the road, so Mildred eventually stopped being her main pianist, but would still play for Mahalia locally. Mahalia Jackson, daughter of Johnny Jackson and Charity Clark, was born in New Orleans in 1911. Husband Isaac Hockenhull, Categories: US Black Heritage Project, Needs Connection | Providence Memorial Park, Metairie, Louisiana | Baptists | Gospel Music Hall of Fame | Gospel Singers | Grammy Hall of Fame | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Louisiana Musicians | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | This Day In History January 27 | This Day In History October 26 | US Civil Rights Activists | US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles | African-American Notables | Notables, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. discoveries. Among Mahalias surviving relatives is her great-nephew, the Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger. ABC News is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. I love seeing her stretch her vocal ability. What song did Mahalia Jackson sing at Martin Luther Kings funeral?
10 Famous People With Sarcoidosis (Evander Holyfield?) - Your Health Remedy Heilbut was thrilled and wanted to hear them, too. Courtesy of LifetimeJason Dirdenplaysmusic-loving ReverendRussell Robertsinthe biopicRobin Roberts Presents: Mahalia. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Once the universe sees that two people have great chemistry and work together well opportunities present itself. Some attention-grabbing scenes blend archive footage of historical events with filmed footage of the actors, switching conspicuously between black-and-white and color. Mahalia Jackson, whose soulful renditions of gospel music thrilled fans the world over, including Presidents and European royalty, died Thursday . He believed that reel-to-reel tapes should not be wound tightly, supposedly to prevent sound bleed. Staying true to her calling to only sing non-secular music, she rightfully earned her title as Queen of Gospel. In Robin Roberts Presents, Mahalia, Grammy Award-winning actress and singer Danielle Brooks brings the powerhouse vocalist to life with her stunning portrayal. And I thought that she was the perfect choice for Mahalia Jackson," he declares. This will be Dirdens first film with his longtime acting friend Danielle Brooks, who portrays legendary gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson in the film. The script uses dialogues to fill in some biographical details, and these can come across as gratuitous. Isaac Hockenhull's ex-wife, Mahalia Jackson also died on January 27, 1972 in OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Evergreen Park, Illinois, United States. Trailer: Hulu Unveils Footage of Animated Marvel Series, Disney+ at TCA: 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' First Reactions and 'Loki' Release Date, I just knew that I was going to be in good hands, said the actress during the Lifetimes CTAM Winter 2021 Press Tour, on Tuesday. A man named Rev Russell who is interested in being her manager and maybe more.
Mahalia Jackson - 16 Most Requested Songs Album Reviews - AllMusic She spent five years touring with composer Thomas A. Dorsey, singing at gospel tents and churches. I may talk to her and try to create some things. The Lifetime biopic also touches on Mahalia Jacksons health battle with fibroids and sarcoidosis that led to a hysterectomy, which prevented the singer from bearing children. Mahalia and Mildred remained friends and they really didnt split. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Birth: Oct 26 1911 These years also saw shifting strategies in the black freedom struggle that gave new cultural-political significance to African American vernacular culture.
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021 Lifetime) Did Mahalia Jackson Have A Relationship With Martin Luther King? Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? The script was written by Bettina Gilois (Bessie) and stage director and dramaturge Todd Kreidler. This pleasure derived from that experience made Brooks comfortable under Leons direction once again. Something was missing. Leave a message for others who see this profile. Thousands of fans attended her funerals in Chicago and New Orleans. On screen, Jackson is portrayed by Danielle Brooks, and one of her most important collaborators and confidantes, pianist Mildred Falls, is played by Joaquina Kalukango, who T&C readers know from her Tony Award-nominated role in Slave Play as well as her turn as Betty Shabazz in the recent movie One Night in Miami. Mahalia Jackson, better known as the Queen of Gospel, was an . Industries Civil Rights Music. How did this character strength serve her well in her life and her career? Thus, a posthumous collection of what he considers some of her finest moments was the next best thing.. But things started to speed up when Kenny said Danielle Brooks I get chills all over again just thinking about it when he knew that he could have her, and the entire cast, many who knew each other, and the timing of it all. I think these are some of her greatest performances.. She released hits like "How I Got Over," which won a Grammy Award. Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jackson Story is emblematic of the kind of mixed fiction and non-fiction programming that will be produced under Roberts deal with Lifetime, as part of the cable networks push to increase its load of original TV movies. Danielle Brooks has a beautiful voice but it did not provoke any emotions in me. Eskridge, her lawyer, said that Miss Jackson owned real estate and assets worth $500,000 and had another $500,060 in cash bank deposits.
In some ways, Jackson's successes made her an exceptional case, though she is perhaps best understood as part of broader developments in the black gospel field. That would be a definite.". It was all serendipity..
The World's Greatest Gospel Singer - Wikipedia One of the most famous African-American women in the country, she sang at John F. Kennedys inauguration, the March on Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.s funeral. But the second half of the song was complete, and thats when she really started to bear down. Some depictions of the treatment of Blacks in the South in this period are an essential but no less painful reminder of this country's recent history. Parents need to know that Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia tells the inspiring life story of a legendary Black gospel singer, a role played and sung by Danielle Brooks.The real-life Mahalia Jackson overcame obstacles like poverty and racism, and she showed integrity throughout her life by staying true to her religious faith despite troubling current events or temptations to make even more money .
Mahalia Jackson discography - Wikipedia He learned Indiana Universitys Archives of Traditional Music contained recordings of Jackson singing in churches in the 1940s, the prize of all prizes.. 35.
Isaac Hockenhull (1901 - 1973) - Como, MS - AncientFaces The Mahalia Jackson Reader - Oxford University Press Brooks is joined by an impressive list of Broadway stars including Tony nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Jason Dirden (Fences), Olivia Washington (The Butler) and Rob Demery (Lovecraft Country). Mahalia Jackson is heralded as one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. The cover of the 2016 Mahalia Jackson compilation CD "Moving On Up a Little Higher," which features previously unreleased material, much of it from the William Russell Jazz Collection of the Historic New Orleans Collection. From 1956 to 1969, Bill played center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Boston Celtics. The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement. "Women in Black History - Stories of Courage, Faith, and Resilience", "Mahalia Jackson" page 101.
Danielle Brooks says Mahalia Jackson's hysterectomy was - TheGrio 1.1K views 1 year ago Former Greenleaf actor, Jason Dirden plays Russell Roberts, the dashing, music-loving Reverend who falls in love with Gospel music icon, Mahalia Jackson in the Lifetime. Born in New Orleans, Jackson began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in United States history, merging her music with her work as a civil rights activist. While touring Europe, Jackson became ill in Germany and flew home to Chicago where she was hospitalized. Aretha documentary has soaring music but no narration. So I am a Southern, Black, Christian storyteller, and Ive worked with Danielle Brooks, who is so beautiful, so clear, so funny, and I knew that I wanted to work with her again.. Fueled by perseverance and luck, he painstakingly assembled material over the years. After performing with the Prince Johnson singers, she first recorded as a soloist in the mid-Thirties. This will be Dirden's first film with his longtime acting friend Danielle Brooks, who portrays legendary gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson in the film.