Calvin Earl rose to national prominence in 2007 when he ensured the destiny of the humble spiritual as part of American history when he succeeded in moving the US Congress to a unanimous vote that would forever recognize the African American Spiritual as a National Treasure and would honor the slaves for their contributions to our nation “with our deepest gratitude and respect”. Joining him in his efforts with their full measure of support were the distinguished scholars Dr. Dorothy Height-National Council of Negro Woman, Dr Cornel West - Princeton University, Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr - Harvard University, and Dr. Clement Price - Rutgers University.
Calvin was honored in 2006 when the United States Senate awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for his Distinctive Service to our Nation. In 2007, he was honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for his work to honor the African American Spiritual as a National Treasure. In 2008, Calvin was honored to receive a Presidential Proclamation from President George W. Bush celebrating Black Music Month.
His heart-felt style and tremendous passion for presenting a larger vision of the African American Spiritual is delivered in a vivid portrayal of the spirituals in his one-man show “Gifts From My Ancestors” performed in universities, schools, concert halls, churches & community centers across America. His high energy message of hope, love and courage illuminates the historical significance of the spirituals past as well as equally placing focus and insight on their value in our lives today.
As a boy, only two generations from slavery, Calvin was greatly impressed by the raw sound he heard and deeply felt when a spiritual was sung in the cotton fields and in church on Sunday morning. He was equally intrigued by the elders in his community and their stories. The elders generously tolerated his never ending barrage of questions in exchange for a young boy bringing them a cup of cool water and a big smile to the fields as they worked and answered his questions.
His curiosity and obsession with the distinctly original sound of the spiritual, that had the ability to change the vibration in ones soul, led him to recreate the sound of the human voice with his guitar. He understood the essence of the spiritual depended on bringing “attention” to the “intention” of the vocalists sound. The lyrics were secondary. Considered a musical prodigy at the tender age of 9, Calvin’s frequent performances on local radio stations in Virginia and in his home state of North Carolina, expanded his popularity and led to his being spotted by the legendary Mahalia Jackson. He performed with her and many other Gospel singers including James Cleveland and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama throughout his teen years.
As an adult, he has recorded two CD’s of African American Spirituals, “There is a Bright Side” in 1993 and his most recent release “gratitude”. The CD, Gratitude, celebrates the music of our ancestors. This unique art form created by the enslaved Africans in the backfields of the Old South is realized in this down home go to meeting collection of African-American Spirituals.
Currently he is finishing his first book “I’m Gonna Tell” about his journey to ensure the preservation of the spirituals as a National Treasure. Along with performing his concert/lecture he continues his advocacy to ensure the African American spiritual and the oral history of the slaves are included in our current educational curriculum. He is also pursuing his dream of building America’s first National Spiritual House, that would embody the finest performing arts center, and a central research/educational center to study and preserve the African American Spirituals and oral history of the slaves in America.
