Save the Children- Essie Mae Brooks

American roots music provides an untapped resource for church musicians who are looking for something different yet familiar.

Well-known are the spirituals (Ain’t that Good News, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, etc.), but early rural American blues & gospel music contains profoundly spiritual elements.

Here is an example:  Save The Children – Essie Mae Brooks (mp3 download)

Who is Essie Mae Brooks?

Essie Mae Brooks

From the Music Maker Relief Foundation website:

Essie Mae Brooks was born in Houston County, Georgia in 1930.  Her father was a great drummer in the nearly forgotten African-American tradition called “Drumbeat.” He would play the drum every weekend and people would gather and dance all night long.  Her grandfather was a harmonica player and Essie started singing to accompany him. She began singing and writing gospel songs as a girl and has never stopped.

Here’s a video of Essie Mae performing a snippet of a song.

For more like this, click here.

(Audio & photo credit:  Music Maker Relief Foundation)