In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Sam Cooke

Born: 1931. Died: 1964. Lived in: United States
Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 - December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an African-American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his unmatched vocal abilities and influence on the modern world of music. His contribution in pioneering Soul music led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and popularizing the likes of Otis Redding and James Brown.

Cooke had 29 top-40 hits in the U.S. between 1957 and 1964. Major hits like "You Send Me", "A Change Is Gonna Come", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World", and "Bring It on Home to Me" are some of his most popular songs. Cooke was also among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of his musical career. He founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. He also took an active part in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

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Sam Cooke : At the Copa

Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. Cooke had 29 Top 40 hits in the U.S. between 1957 and 1964. Major hits like "You Send Me", "A Change Is Gonna Come", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World", and "Bring It on Home to Me" are some of his most popular songs. Cooke was also among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of his musical career. He founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. Broadway, blues, folk, jazz, gospel, country, and soul are represented on the remarkable album Sam Cooke at the Copa. This album-matching folio includes eight pages of biographical and historical information about Sam Cooke during his time at the Copa.

Songlist: Bill Bailey, Blowin' In The Wind, Frankie & Johnny, I Love You For Sentimental Reasons, If I Had A Hammer, Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out, Tennessee Waltz, The Best Things In Life Are Free, This Little Light Of Mine, Try A Little Tenderness, Twistin' The Night Away, When I Fall In Love

Sam Cooke : Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

Sam Cooke was the most important soul singer in history and the inventor of soul music. Even today, his music endures with cover recordings by artists from all genres of the recording industry. His legacy continues with this album-matching folio containing songs spanning more than a decade.

Songlist: Another Saturday Night, Bring It on Home to Me, Chain Gang, Cupid, Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha, Ain't That Good News, Having a Party, Jesus Gave Me Water, Meet Me at Mary's Place, Only Sixteen, Twisting the Night Away, (What A) Wonderful World, You Send Me, You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You

Individual Folios

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Jay Althouse : A Change Is Gonna Come

This 1964 gospel-style tune by legendary R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke has found new life in today's pop world. Both Seal (on his Soul album) and American Idol's Adam Lambert have hit recordings. "It's been a long time comin', but I know a change is gonna come."

Arranger: Jay Althouse Performed By: Sam Cooke