Dorsey, Thomas A. (1899-1993), was an important African American gospel composer. He has often been called the “father of gospel music.” Gospel music is a type of American music drawn from Christian worship that developed in the United States. Dorsey composed and published hundreds of gospel songs. See Gospel music .
Thomas Andrew Dorsey was born on July 1, 1899, in Villa Rica, Georgia. He moved with his family to Atlanta in 1908. Dorsey learned to play piano by about age 12. In 1919, he enrolled at the Chicago College of Composition and Arranging. The following year, he published his first song, “If You Don’t Believe I’m Leaving, You Can Count the Days I’m Gone.” In 1921, he published his first gospel song, “If I Don’t Get There.”
Dorsey’s composition “Riverside Blues” became a hit for Joe “King” Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band in 1923. In 1924, Dorsey became an accompanist and arranger for the blues singer Ma Rainey. During the 1920’s, Dorsey also performed as a blues pianist under the name “Georgia Tom.” In 1928, he recorded the hugely successful blues record “It’s Tight Like That” with the guitarist and singer Tampa Red.
In 1932, Dorsey organized and became director of the first choir at Chicago’s Pilgrim Baptist Church. He held that post until around 1980. Later in 1932, Dorsey wrote his most famous composition, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” while grieving the death of his first wife, Nettie, and their newborn son. It became a gospel standard. In 1939, Dorsey wrote “Peace in the Valley” for the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. That song also became a gospel standard.
In 1932, Dorsey formed the first black gospel music publishing company. He also helped found the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1932 and served as its first president. He held that post until 1983.
Dorsey married Kathryn Mosley in 1941. The couple had two children. Dorsey died in Chicago on Jan. 23, 1993.
See also Blues ; Gospel music ; Jackson, Mahalia ; Walker, Albertina .
