The peppy, poppy Blend Wright Trio of Germantown, Ohio, charmed gospel audiences in the 1960s and early ‘70s. Led by Eleanor Wright and her two sister-in-laws, Audrey and Erving, the Blend Wrights toured widely across the U.S. and even into Europe. Though all the singers were first-rate vocalists, it was Eleanor’s keyboards and composing skills that set them apart.
The Blend Wrights’ best work is found on a couple of records with gospel powerhouse Savoy Records, produced by the legendary Rev. Lawrence Roberts. Also: Something else that distinguished the trio was that they were also one of the few Seventh-Day Adventists gospel groups ever. Here’s Eleanor’s “Let Down Jacob’s Ladder” from their 1963 LP, Let Down the Ladder.
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.