SAMMIE BRYANT
One of my favorite gospel singers has always been Sammie Bryant. Sammie L. Bryant also known as Sister Sammie L. Bryant, Little Sammy Bryant and Miss Sammy Bryant, was born on 29 July, 1914 in Greenwood, Mississippi to Mr Preston and Mrs Eliza Bryant and died aged 65 years, on 6 May, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan. Sammie was born the 4th of 11 children, she only stood 3 foot, 3 inches tall, but Lord could this sister sing. Her brother (or brother in law) sang with the Pilgrim Travelers, her nephew is C. Darell Bryant an up and coming gospel singer from California.
At some stage in the 1940's Sammie seemed to briefly move to Texas where she recorded her first releases on Wynne Productions, before moving permanently to Detroit, Michigan where she joined the New Bethel Baptist Church, which was pastored by Reverend C.L. Franklin (Aretha’s daddy), Sammie would end up recording with and touring with Aretha and Reverend Franklin. Sammie remained in Detroit where she lived until her death in 1980. Sammie also apparently sang with The Clara Ward Singers, and was on gospel programs performing with The Davis Sisters with some folks saying she has a sound similar to Ruth Davis in places with some of her expression and depth of her voice, Sammie also sang with Rev. James Cleveland.
At New Bethel Baptist Church, Sammie was one of the most noted soloists of New Bethel, being a featured soloist on Rev Franklin's Gospel Caravan tours throughout the US. She is known for her many solos “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me”, “Sending up My Timber”, "I Must See Jesus", “He Know's How Much We Can Bare”, “Walk With Me”, "Since I Met Jesus", There Will Come A Time” and others. Walk With Me is my favorite song of Sammie's, although all her songs were wonderful and truly showed her devotion, love of and belief in God. Sammie started recording in 1949, she recorded several 78' and 45's, she only recorded one album of her own and was a guest vocalist on 2 albums where she featured with Rev CL. Franklin and Aretha Franklin, the first album was released on J.V.B and was reissued on the Battle label, the second album was also on the Battle label. Sammie recorded on Wynne Productions out of Texas, Sacred out of California, J.V.B (Detroit label), Battle (Detroit label), Von (Detroit label) and Checker.
When she died, Sammie had a daughter Lucinda. Sammie was much loved and respected in Detroit and in the wider gospel community, even though over the years her name and popularity may not have been as widespread as it once was, to those who knew her and her music, we always loved and appreciated Sammie as one of the saints of God. Sammie is buried in Detroit at Detroit Memorial Park East.
Discography
Wynne Production Recordings
100-: Soloist: Sister Sammie L. Bryant 3 ft, 3 inches, Accomp T.J. Mitchell - Lord Jesus/ Vocal and Music Brother T.J. Mitchell- Life Journey (Wynne Production Recordings 100)
101-: Miss Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp: Bro. T.J. Mitchel- Something Within/ Miss Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp: Bro. T.J. Mitchel- Standing In The Safety Zone
107-: Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp T.J. Mitchel- I Must See Jesus/ Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp T.J. Mitchel- God Will Make Things Alright
Sacred (California label)
6008-: Sammie L. Bryant- Amazing Grace/ Holy Spirit, 1949
6013-: Sammie L. Bryant- Man Of Galilee/ I Must Tell Jesus, 1949
JVB Recording Co (Detroit label)
36-:Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- Since I Met Jesus Part 1 / Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- Since I Met Jesus Part 2 (1955) (it’s a 78)
37-: Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- I’ve Got A Home Part 1 / Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- I’ve Got A Home Part 2 (1955) (it’s a 78)
J.V.B. (Detroit label)
100-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - SPIRITUALS RECORDED DURING SERVICE AT New Bethel Baptist Church - Detroit, Mich, (on label album is titled Spirituals VOL 1) (Aretha side A, others side B) (Sammie sang “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” and “ The Last Mile” on this lp)
This issue is the first issue/release of this album and was then issued on Battle.
Battle (Detroit label)
6105-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - SPIRITUALS RECORDED DURING SERVICE AT New Bethel Baptist Church - Detroit, Mich, 1962
(Sammie sang “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” and “ The Last Mile” on this lp)
6109-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - I Will Trust In The Lord,
Vol. 2 of Spirituals recorded during service at New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Mich
(Sammie sang “This Old Soul Of Mine” and “ Blessed Assurance” on this lp)
Von (Detroit label)
03-: Sammy Bryant- He Knows How Much We Can Bare Part. 1/ He Knows How Much We Can Bare Part. 2 (Detroit label)
Checker
LP
10018-: REV. C.L. Franklin Presents Sammie Bryant- Self Titled LP, 1962
Recorded at New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan; Album Production Joe Von Battle;
45
5023-: Sammy Bryant- He Know’s How Much We Can Bear Part. 1/ He Know’s How Much We Can Bear Part.2, 1966
At some stage in the 1940's Sammie seemed to briefly move to Texas where she recorded her first releases on Wynne Productions, before moving permanently to Detroit, Michigan where she joined the New Bethel Baptist Church, which was pastored by Reverend C.L. Franklin (Aretha’s daddy), Sammie would end up recording with and touring with Aretha and Reverend Franklin. Sammie remained in Detroit where she lived until her death in 1980. Sammie also apparently sang with The Clara Ward Singers, and was on gospel programs performing with The Davis Sisters with some folks saying she has a sound similar to Ruth Davis in places with some of her expression and depth of her voice, Sammie also sang with Rev. James Cleveland.
At New Bethel Baptist Church, Sammie was one of the most noted soloists of New Bethel, being a featured soloist on Rev Franklin's Gospel Caravan tours throughout the US. She is known for her many solos “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me”, “Sending up My Timber”, "I Must See Jesus", “He Know's How Much We Can Bare”, “Walk With Me”, "Since I Met Jesus", There Will Come A Time” and others. Walk With Me is my favorite song of Sammie's, although all her songs were wonderful and truly showed her devotion, love of and belief in God. Sammie started recording in 1949, she recorded several 78' and 45's, she only recorded one album of her own and was a guest vocalist on 2 albums where she featured with Rev CL. Franklin and Aretha Franklin, the first album was released on J.V.B and was reissued on the Battle label, the second album was also on the Battle label. Sammie recorded on Wynne Productions out of Texas, Sacred out of California, J.V.B (Detroit label), Battle (Detroit label), Von (Detroit label) and Checker.
When she died, Sammie had a daughter Lucinda. Sammie was much loved and respected in Detroit and in the wider gospel community, even though over the years her name and popularity may not have been as widespread as it once was, to those who knew her and her music, we always loved and appreciated Sammie as one of the saints of God. Sammie is buried in Detroit at Detroit Memorial Park East.
Discography
Wynne Production Recordings
100-: Soloist: Sister Sammie L. Bryant 3 ft, 3 inches, Accomp T.J. Mitchell - Lord Jesus/ Vocal and Music Brother T.J. Mitchell- Life Journey (Wynne Production Recordings 100)
101-: Miss Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp: Bro. T.J. Mitchel- Something Within/ Miss Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp: Bro. T.J. Mitchel- Standing In The Safety Zone
107-: Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp T.J. Mitchel- I Must See Jesus/ Sammie L. Bryant (3 ft, 3 inches), Accomp T.J. Mitchel- God Will Make Things Alright
Sacred (California label)
6008-: Sammie L. Bryant- Amazing Grace/ Holy Spirit, 1949
6013-: Sammie L. Bryant- Man Of Galilee/ I Must Tell Jesus, 1949
JVB Recording Co (Detroit label)
36-:Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- Since I Met Jesus Part 1 / Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- Since I Met Jesus Part 2 (1955) (it’s a 78)
37-: Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- I’ve Got A Home Part 1 / Miss Sammy Bryant With New Bethel Baptist Church Choir- I’ve Got A Home Part 2 (1955) (it’s a 78)
J.V.B. (Detroit label)
100-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - SPIRITUALS RECORDED DURING SERVICE AT New Bethel Baptist Church - Detroit, Mich, (on label album is titled Spirituals VOL 1) (Aretha side A, others side B) (Sammie sang “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” and “ The Last Mile” on this lp)
This issue is the first issue/release of this album and was then issued on Battle.
Battle (Detroit label)
6105-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - SPIRITUALS RECORDED DURING SERVICE AT New Bethel Baptist Church - Detroit, Mich, 1962
(Sammie sang “The Angels Keep Watching Over Me” and “ The Last Mile” on this lp)
6109-: Aretha Franklin, Sammie Bryant, Rev. C.L. Franklin - I Will Trust In The Lord,
Vol. 2 of Spirituals recorded during service at New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Mich
(Sammie sang “This Old Soul Of Mine” and “ Blessed Assurance” on this lp)
Von (Detroit label)
03-: Sammy Bryant- He Knows How Much We Can Bare Part. 1/ He Knows How Much We Can Bare Part. 2 (Detroit label)
Checker
LP
10018-: REV. C.L. Franklin Presents Sammie Bryant- Self Titled LP, 1962
Recorded at New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan; Album Production Joe Von Battle;
45
5023-: Sammy Bryant- He Know’s How Much We Can Bear Part. 1/ He Know’s How Much We Can Bear Part.2, 1966
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