Arizona Dranes
Encyclopedia
Arizona Dranes was one of the first gospel
artists to bring the musical styles of Holiness
churches' religious music to the public in her records for Okeh and performances in the 1920s. She introduced piano accompaniment to Holiness music, which had previously been largely a cappella
, and accompanied herself in the barrelhouse
and ragtime
styles popular at the time. She is believed to be of both African-American and Mexican
descent.
Born blind in Sherman, Texas
around 1891, she attended the Texas Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind Colored Youth in Austin from 1897 to 1910.COGIC Women in Gospel Music on Patheos Her correct last name is "Drane", as listed in the official enrollment record for the 1896-1897 school year at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired,First recorded gospel pianist got her start in Austin though she was billed as "Dranes" later in life. After graduating from the Texas Institute, she lived in Dallas and played piano for Church of God in Christ
. She began recording in 1926 with Okeh Records, first as a solo artist and later with choirs and various other artists and groups. Although she last recorded in 1928, she continued touring through the 1940s. Later gospel artists, such as Roberta Martin
and Clara Ward
, were heavily influenced by her piano playing; Dranes' nasal singing style also had an impact on artists such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe
.
. She soon became a favored singer-pianist of the founder, Bishop Charles Mason
and was well utilized in the COGIC circles. She incorporated a syncopated, ragtime
style in her gospel accompaniment and soon established the songs "I Shall Wear A Crown," "My Soul's a Witness for the Lord," and "Lamb's Blood Has Washed Me Clean" as COGIC standards.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
artists to bring the musical styles of Holiness
Holiness movement
The holiness movement refers to a set of beliefs and practices emerging from the Methodist Christian church in the mid 19th century. The movement is distinguished by its emphasis on John Wesley's doctrine of "Christian perfection" - the belief that it is possible to live free of voluntary sin - and...
churches' religious music to the public in her records for Okeh and performances in the 1920s. She introduced piano accompaniment to Holiness music, which had previously been largely a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
, and accompanied herself in the barrelhouse
Barrelhouse
Barrelhouse can refer to:*A "juke joint", a bar or saloon. Originates from the storage of barrels of alcohol.*An early form of jazz with wild, improvised piano, and an accented two-beat rhythm ....
and ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
styles popular at the time. She is believed to be of both African-American and Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
descent.
Born blind in Sherman, Texas
Sherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
around 1891, she attended the Texas Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind Colored Youth in Austin from 1897 to 1910.COGIC Women in Gospel Music on Patheos Her correct last name is "Drane", as listed in the official enrollment record for the 1896-1897 school year at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired,First recorded gospel pianist got her start in Austin though she was billed as "Dranes" later in life. After graduating from the Texas Institute, she lived in Dallas and played piano for Church of God in Christ
Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
. She began recording in 1926 with Okeh Records, first as a solo artist and later with choirs and various other artists and groups. Although she last recorded in 1928, she continued touring through the 1940s. Later gospel artists, such as Roberta Martin
Roberta Martin
Roberta Martin was an American gospel composer, singer, pianist, arranger and choral organizer, helped launch the careers of many other gospel artists through her group, The Roberta Martin Singers.-Early years:...
and Clara Ward
Clara Ward
Clara Ward was an American gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers....
, were heavily influenced by her piano playing; Dranes' nasal singing style also had an impact on artists such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an Amercian pioneering gospel singer, songwriter and recording artist who attained great popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and early rock and roll accompaniment...
.
Church of God in Christ
Around 1920, Dranes was one of the founding members of the COGIC Church in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. She soon became a favored singer-pianist of the founder, Bishop Charles Mason
Charles Harrison Mason
Bishop Charles Harrison 'C.H.' Mason was an American Pentecostal–Holiness and Charismatic, denomination leader. He was the founder, Chief Apostle and first Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. He was also the grandfather of Bishop J.O...
and was well utilized in the COGIC circles. She incorporated a syncopated, ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
style in her gospel accompaniment and soon established the songs "I Shall Wear A Crown," "My Soul's a Witness for the Lord," and "Lamb's Blood Has Washed Me Clean" as COGIC standards.