Mavis Staples

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mavis Staples
Cover of Only for the Lonely
Background information
Birth name	Mavis Staples
Born	July 11, 1940 (age 66)
Origin	Chicago, Illinois
Genre(s)	Rhythm and Blues, soul
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1969 - present
Label(s)	Volt Records
Associated acts	The Staple Singers
Website	http://www.mavisstaples.com/

Mavis Staples (born July 11, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American rhythm and blues singer.

[edit] Biography

Most of her career has been as lead singer for The Staple Singers. She first recorded solo for the Stax subsidiary Volt in 1969. Subsequent efforts included a Curtis Mayfield-produced soundtrack on Curtom, a nod to disco for Warner Bros. Records in 1979, a stab at electro-pop with Holland-Dozier-Holland in 1984, and a collaboration with Prince in the late 1980s and early 90s (producing 2 solo albums and various other collaborations). Staples has a rich contralto voice that has neither the range of Aretha Franklin nor the power of Patti LaBelle. Her otherworldly power comes instead from a masterful command of phrasing and a deep-seated sensuality expressed through timbre manipulation. Both the Staple Singers and Mavis found fresh audiences stemming from their participation on the CD Rhythm, Country and Blues, and in 1996 she issued Spirituals and Gospel: Dedicated to Mahalia Jackson. Her next recording project didn't land for another eight years, although Have a Little Faith on Alligator Records became her highest profile release in years.