The Spirit of Memphis Quartet

Left to Right: Standing – Melvin Mosley, Clifford Jackson, Robert Reed, Jimmie Allen, Earl Malone; Kneeling – Jack Stepter, Brown Berry, Huebert Crawford. The Spirit of Memphis Quartet, Memphis, 1982. (Photograph by Lawrence Jasud. Courtesy of the High Water Archive)

Known locally as the “Spirit,” the Spirit of Memphis Quartet is perhaps the best known gospel group from the Memphis area. Founded around 1928, the group’s original name was the T.M. and S. Quartet. They would soon change their name after this. The group is also the most heavily recorded, with albums and singles (both in and out of studio) being released starting in the late 1940s.

The Spirit of memphis would participate in a compilation album with High Water Records in the early 1980s, and would follow soon with their own separate album on the label. By this time, they were building on tradition, with two of their members being 45-year veterans of the group. For this album they would even change their lineup, with retired veteran singer Jethro Bledsoe rejoining the group. Prior to this, he had been the lead singer and group manager from 1937 to 1977.

Image Gallery:

Left to Right: Brown Berry, Melvin Mosley, Robert Reed, Jack Stepter, Jimmie Allen, Earl Malone, Huebert Crawford. The Spirit of Memphis Quartet, Clayborn Temple, Memphis, 1980. (Photograph by Dr. Cheryl Thurber. Courtesy of UNC. Collection #20482.0334.10a)

Spirit of Memphis (right) and Dr. David Evans (left) gathered around the band's RV. (Photograph by Lawrence Jasud. Courtesy of the High Water Archive)