Pianists · 1899–1993

Thomas A. Dorsey

American musician, composer, and Christian evangelist influential in the development of early blues and 20th-century gospel music

Born: 1 July 1899
Villa Rica
Died: 23 January 1993
Chicago
Country: United States
Record labels: Gennett

Biography

Thomas A. Dorsey was a jazz musician who played piano. Thomas A. Dorsey was born on 1 July 1899 in Villa Rica and died on 23 January 1993 in Chicago. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Gennett. Honours include Grammy Trustees Award (1992).

Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993) was an American musician, composer, and Christian evangelist influential in the development of early blues and 20th-century gospel music. He penned 3,000 songs, a third of them gospel, including "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley". Recordings of these sold millions of copies in both gospel and secular markets in the 20th century. Born in rural Georgia, Dorsey grew up in a religious family but gained most of his musical experience playing blues piano at barrelhouses and parties in Atlanta. He moved to Chicago and became a proficient composer and arranger of jazz and vaudeville just as blues was becoming popular. He gained fame accompanying blues belter Ma Rainey on tour and, billed as "Georgia Tom", joined with guitarist Tampa Red in a successful recording career. After a spiritual awakening, Dorsey began concentrating on writing and arranging religious music.

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