Arizona Dranes

Juanita "Arizona" Dranes (May 4, 1889 or 1891 – July 27, 1963) was an American blind female gospel singer and pianist. Dranes was one of the first gospel artists to bring the musical styles of Holiness churches' religious music to the public in her records for Okeh Records and performances in the 1920s. She was also one of the first professional woman gospel singers. Her distinctive, nasal vocal style and piano playing that incorporated boogie and ragtime, influenced later gospel artists.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 1, 1894 (Sherman), Died July 27, 1963

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, vocalist, composer, lyricist, arranger

Notes: Sometimes listed as "The Blind Evangelist."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W147604 10-in. 12/8/1928 He's the lily of the valley Texas Jubilee Singers Mixed vocal ensemble, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W147605 10-in. 12/8/1928 He's coming soon Texas Jubilee Singers Mixed vocal ensemble, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9737 10-in. 6/17/1926 In that day Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, composer, lyricist  
OKeh 9738 10-in. 6/17/1926 It's all right now Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, composer, lyricist  
OKeh 9739 10-in. 6/17/1926 John said he saw a number Arizona Dranes ; Richard M. Jones ; Sara Martin Mixed vocal trio, with piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, composer, lyricist  
OKeh 9740 10-in. 6/17/1926 My soul is a witness for the Lord Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo, with piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, composer, lyricist  
OKeh 9741 10-in. 6/17/1926 Crucifixion Arizona Dranes Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
OKeh 9742 10-in. 6/17/1926 Sweet heaven is my home Arizona Dranes Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
OKeh 9877 10-in. 11/15/1926 Bye and bye we're going to see the King Arizona Dranes ; Jubilee Singers ; Rev. F. W. McGee Female vocal solo, with mixed vocal ensemble and piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, arranger  
OKeh 9878 10-in. 11/15/1926 I'm going home on the morning train Arizona Dranes ; Jubilee Singers ; Rev. F. W. McGee Female vocal solo, with mixed vocal ensemble and piano vocalist, arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9879 10-in. 11/15/1926 Lamb's blood has washed me clean Arizona Dranes ; Jubilee Singers Female vocal solo, with mixed vocal ensemble and piano vocalist, arranger, instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9880 10-in. 11/15/1926 I'm glad my Lord saved me Arizona Dranes ; Jubilee Singers ; Rev. F. W. McGee Female vocal solo, with mixed vocal ensemble and piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, composer  
OKeh W400980 10-in. 7/3/1928 I shall wear a crown Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with mandolin and piano vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh W400981 10-in. 7/3/1928 God's got a crown Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with mandolin and piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  
OKeh W400982 10-in. 7/3/1928 He is my story Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with mandolin and piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  
OKeh W400983 10-in. 7/3/1928 Just look Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with mandolin and piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  
OKeh W400984 10-in. 7/3/1928 I'll go where You want me to go Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  
OKeh W400985 10-in. 7/3/1928 Don’t you want to go? Arizona Dranes Female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble, with piano instrumentalist, piano, vocalist  
OKeh W401258 10-in. 10/22/1928 My soul is a witness for my Lord Silver Leaf Quartette of Norfolk Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied composer, lyricist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dranes, Arizona," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110257.

Dranes, Arizona. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110257.

"Dranes, Arizona." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/110257

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