Odetta

Odetta, born Odetta Holmes, was a legendary American singer and a central figure in the folk music revival.

Her vast musical repertoire included American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals. Because of her powerful voice and influential songs, she was often called "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement." Martin Luther King Jr. referred to her as the queen of American folk music. Her impact was so significant that Time magazine included her recording of "Take This Hammer" on its list of the 100 Greatest Popular Songs.

Odetta's musical development involved several distinct stages of training and performance. She began formal operatic training at the age of thirteen. After attending Belmont High School, she studied music at Los Angeles City College. To support her education, she worked as a domestic worker. Her professional career began in 1944 with the Hollywood Turnabout Puppet Theatre. She later joined the national touring company for the musical Finian's Rainbow. By 1950, she shifted her focus specifically toward folk singing. This transition led to her performing at famous venues like the Blue Angel in New York City.

Her discography showcases a wide variety of musical styles and arrangements. Early in her solo career, she released albums such as Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues in 1956. Her 1963 album, Odetta Sings Folk Songs, became one of the best-selling folk albums of that year. While she often performed alone, she later used band arrangements to broaden her scope. She explored jazz-style music on albums like Odetta and the Blues in 1962. Later in her life, she released several tribute albums. These included Blues Everywhere I Go in 2000, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. She also released the gospel-focused album Gonna Let It Shine in 2007.

Odetta's life was shaped by her early moves and her dedication to her craft. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but moved to Los Angeles in 1937 with her mother, Flora Sanders. After her mother remarried Zadock Felious, Odetta adopted his last name. Her musical journey was driven by early recognition from a teacher who suggested she study her voice. Despite her talent, she once doubted she could perform at the Metropolitan Opera due to her size. However, she continued to perform in musical theater and films. She appeared in movies such as Cinerama Holiday in 1955 and The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman in 1974.

Her role in the civil rights movement was a defining part of her legacy.

She performed at the 1963 March on Washington, where she sang "O Freedom." Odetta viewed her participation in the movement as being "one of the privates in a very big army." Her music provided a soundtrack to the struggle for equality. In 2001, she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to perform "This Little Light of Mine." This performance took place on the first show following the events of September 11.

Throughout her career, Odetta received numerous prestigious honors for her contributions to culture. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented her with the National Medal of Arts. The Library of Congress honored her with the Living Legend Award in 2005. She also received the Visionary Award at the Kennedy Center in 2004. In 2007, the International Folk Alliance named her the Traditional Folk Artist of the Year. Even in her final years, she remained active. At age 77, she launched a North American tour. She continued to perform for large audiences, including a concert at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 2008.

Odetta's influence extended to many of the most important musicians of the 20th century. Bob Dylan credited her with turning him toward folk singing. He famously traded his electric guitar for an acoustic one after hearing her records. Joan Baez described Odetta as a "goddess" and noted that she learned everything she sang from her. Janis Joplin also spent her adolescence listening to and imitating Odetta's style. The poet Maya Angelou spoke of the rarity of a soul like Odetta's. Her legacy remains a vital connection between folk traditions and modern music.