Dorinda Clark-Cole
Dorinda Clark-Cole |
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Dorinda Clark Cole (born Dorinda Grace Clark) is a two-time Grammy Award winning American evangelist and gospel singer. She is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark.
Biography
Early life
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Clark Cole began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen, Twinkie, Jacky, and Denise. The sisters sang in their pastor father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark Cole, who is referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, and soulful growls. Dorinda sang lead on "Overdose Of The Holy Ghost", the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought The Sunshine".[2]
Recording career
Clark Cole's self-titled solo debut, released in 2002, won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award (Best Female Gospel Artist). The album featured the hit single "I'm Coming Out". Her second album, The Rose of Gospel, was released in 2005. The live portions of both albums were produced by Asaph Ward, famous for his work with Kim Burrell who counts Dorinda as well as the Clark Sisters as a direct vocal influence.
Dorinda was featured on the title track of Kirk Franklin's Hero album.[3]
After being pushed back from a prematurely stated date in fall 2007,[4] Dorinda Clark Cole's third solo CD Take It Back was released on April 15, 2008. The album included the songs "Faithful," "Praise Your Way Out," "Yesterday," "It's Ok," "No Weapon," "If I Were," "Got To Hold On," and the current radio single "Take It Back."[5] Producers Alex "Asaph" Ward, PAJAM, and Rodney Jerkins contributed to the project.[6]
Personal life
In addition to being a recording artist and evangelist, Clark-Cole is a prominent figure in the Church of God in Christ, serving as an assistant supervisor of women, for the Michigan North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ and vice-president of the COGIC's International Music Department. She is an administrator and instructor at the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit (founded by Mattie Moss Clark in 1979), and is an administrator at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, pastored by her brother-in-law, J. Drew Sheard (Karen's husband).Clark-Cole is married to Greg Cole, who serves as an elder in the church. In 1999, as founder and CEO of Lifeline Productions, Inc., she created an annual Singers & Musicians Conference. Through this conference it is her goal to educate a new generation of minstrels of the importance of “keeping ministry in the music” by offering various activities including daily workshops and evening worship services featuring from artists whose ministries have gone beyond ministering in song.
Dorinda says that if she did not have a career in music that she would be "dancing on Broadway," and her dream duet would be "to sing with Bette Midler, Cher and Celine Dion." [7]
Discography
Albums
Singles
- "No Not One (featuring J Moss)" (2002)
- "I'm Coming Out" (2002)
- Great Is The Lord" (2005)
- "So Many Times" (2005)
- "Take It Back" (2008)
Other
- "Hero (featuring Dorinda Clark Cole)" - Kirk Franklin (from Hero)
- "Tis So Sweet" - Dorinda Clark Cole (from Build A Bridge)
- "Higher Ground" - Missy Elliott, Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, Mary Mary, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Yolanda Adams (from Miss E... So Addictive) (Elektra, 2001)
Videography
References
- ^ The Clark Lounge
- ^ Terron Austin. "Dorinda Clark Cole (Biography)". TheClarkSisters.com.
- ^ Stan North. "Kirk Franklin: Hero (album review)". GospelFlava.com.
- ^ "Dorinda's Third: Dorinda Clark Cole readies 'Yesterday' album". Cross Rhythms.
- ^ Yesterday on CD Universe
- ^ "The Clark Sisters News". Retrieved 2008-02-19.
- ^ Clark, Melanie (June 2002). "Insider with Dorinda Clark Cole". Gospelflava.com.