("Black Gospel") Quartet singers combined both individual virtuoso performances and jack off original harmonic and rhythmic invention what Ira Tucker Sr. and Paul Owens of the Hummingbirds called "trick ration" that amplified both the emotional and musical intensity of their songs. ("Black Gospel")
At the same time that quartet groups were reaching their zenith in the 1940s and 1950s, a number of women singers were achieving stardom. Some, such as Mahalia Jackson and Bessie Griffin, were primarily soloists, while others, such as Clara Ward, The Caravans, The Davis Sisters and Dorothy Love Coates, and sang in small groups. While some groups, such as The Ward Singers, employed the sort of theatrics and daring group dynamics that male quartet groups used, for the most part women gospel singers relied instead on overpowering technique and dramatic personal witness to establish them. ("Black Gospel")
In the 80s, The Winans were popular with contemporary sounds and beats. The Winans Family consisted of individual sets of groups within the family, which included the popular duo, BeBe and CeCe Winans. Commissioned was known for their harmonic blends and funky band. Some of the members went on to have very successful solo careers like Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, and Marvin Sapp. Thomas Whitfield often called "The Maestro", was known for being a great composer, musician, singer and producer. He wrote over 200 songs in his career. ("Gospel Music")
Gospel artists, who