Sammie Bryant

Sister Sammie L. Bryant also known as Little Sammy Bryant and Miss Sammy Bryant, was born on 29 July, 1914 in Greenwood, Mississippi to Mr Preston and Mrs Eliza Bryant. Dubbed as the “Little Lady with a Big Voice,” Sammie was born the 4th of 11 children, due to her diminutive stature she only stood 3 foot, 3 inches tall. At some stage in the 1940's Sammie moved 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 Franklin’s father), 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. In the gospel circuit, Sammie also performed alongside with Clara Ward & The Famous The Clara Ward Singers, and was on gospel programs performing with The Davis Sisters (2) with some gospel music critics claiming that she has a sound similar to Ruth Davis (2) 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. 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 Reverend C.L. Franklin and Aretha Franklin. Her brother (or brother in law) also sang with The Pilgrim Travelers and her nephew is C. Darell Bryant an up and coming soul singer from California. She died on May 6, 1980 and had a daughter Lucinda; Sammie is buried in Detroit at Detroit Memorial Park East.