Dorothy Maynor should be better known – and celebrated – today. Born in 1910, her obvious vocal talents led her to Hampton Institute, where she studied with the legendary composer R. Nathaniel Dett. Despite what was clearly a generational voice, racism kept Maynor out of American opera houses and concert halls until she was heard by the conductor of the Boston Symphony.
In the 1940s and ‘50s, she became a mainstay in major operas, both in the United States and abroad – and was even the first African American to sing in an inaugural ball when President Harry S. Truman invited her in 1949.
In addition to many recordings of opera arias and other classical music, she did take time to record an LP of spirituals, including this soaring rendition of the haunting “Were You There.”
MUSIC: Dorothy Maynor Sings Spirituals and Sacred Songs LP, “Were You There,” Side 1, Track 2 (January 28, 2024)
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.