Tag Archives: Clara Ward & the Ward Singers

With an incredible grace, a robust yet lyrical voice, and unmatched improvisation skills, Marion Williams punctuated her sanctified shouting with gut-wrenching growls, low moans, joyful whoops, and soaring, angelic falsettos that made her probably one of the most influential singers in gospel music. In her heyday she was hailed by …

Broadly acclaimed among the best soloists in gospel history, Clara Ward was also the main topic of very much criticism from purists — with her backing group, the Ward Singers, she pushed gospel from the church and in to the nightclubs, infusing the music with a go of glitz and …