1981 Reunion Concert Roberta Martin and the Roberta Martin Singers

1981 Reunion concert series at the Smithsonian Institute.

Roberta Martin was a groundbreaking gospel composer, pianist, arranger, and choir director whose work helped shape modern gospel music in the 20th century. Roberta Martin was born in Helena, Arkansas, and later moved to Chicago, where she became one of the most influential figures in gospel music. Growing up in the Black church tradition, she developed her musical talents as a pianist, composer, and choir director. In the 1930s, she founded The Roberta Martin Singers, a group that helped shape the sound of modern gospel music by blending traditional spirituals with contemporary arrangements. Her work laid the foundation for generations of gospel artists and choirs across the United States.

Through The Roberta Martin Singers, she blended traditional spirituals with contemporary gospel sounds, influencing generations of artists and choirs. Her legacy remains a cornerstone of Black gospel music history and culture.