Roberta Martin

Born: February 12, 1907 in Helena (Phillips County), Arkansas. Died: January 13 (or) 17 (or) 18, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois. Contralto singer, pianist, arranger and composer. Pioneer of modern gospel, founder of the mixed group Martin Frye Quartet in 1933, renamed Roberta Martin Singers in 1936. Obituary as published on page 28 of the 25 Jan 1969 edition of the Record World magazine: "Roberta Martin Dead Savoy's Roberta Martin, 63, sometimes called "The Dean of Gospel Music," died Jan. 13 in Chicago. She headed her own music school and publishing company there. Many gospel world notables attended the funeral at Mt. Piscagh Church. Savoy, for whom she recorded for 15 years, is putting out a memorial LP this week."