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Mar 22, 2012 · Within a year of his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland's estate. 34-year old Andre McIsaac and 22-year old Christopher Harris had both lived with Cleveland, McIsaac as a "common law adopted son" and Harris as a foster son. Cleveland died of AIDS, Harris said, and infected him with HIV.
Aug 17, 2023 · Cleveland’s former foster son, Christopher Harris, sued the musician’s estate. Harris claimed the singer sexually abused him for five years, and the allegations were shocking. He also stated that James gave him HIV. Christopher believed his foster father got HIV from having same-sex relationships.
- Biography
- Musical Career
- Death
- Controversy
- Awards
Early life and career
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland began singing as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church where Thomas A. Dorsey was minister of music and Roberta Martinwas pianist for the choir. He strained his vocal cords as a teenager while part of a local gospel group, leaving the distinctive gravelly voice that was his hallmark in his later years. The change in his voice led him to focus on his skills as a pianist and later as a composer and arranger. For his pioneering accomplishments and contribut...
Work with The Gospelaires
In 1950, Cleveland joined The Gospelaires, a trio led by Norsalus McKissick and Bessie Folk. His arrangements modernized such traditional standards as “(Give Me That) Old Time Religion” and “It’s Me O Lord”. After the trio disbanded, an associate of the group, Roberta Martin, hired him as a composer and arranger.
The Caravans
Cleveland subsequently went to work for Albertina Walker, popularly referred to as the “Queen of Gospel” and The Caravans as a composer, arranger, pianist, and occasional singer/narrator. In November 1954, Albertina Walker provided him the opportunity to do his very first recording. By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Recordsto allow him to record with her group. He continued to record with The Caravans until States closed down in 1957. Throughout this period, he re...
Savoy Records
James Cleveland signed with Savoy Recordsin 1962, going on to release a huge catalog of black gospel recordings, many of which were recorded in a live concert setting.
On February 9, 1991, James Cleveland died in Culver City, California. He was 59. Some reports list the cause of death as congestive heart failure stating that the singer had fallen into a coma shortly before his death, although other sources indicate that he died of AIDS. He is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Following Cleveland’s death in February 1991, a number of controversies arose surrounding his estate which at the time was estimated to be worth between $4 and $6 million.
Grammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance 1974:James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir: In the GhettoGrammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional 1977:James Cleveland: James Cleveland Live at Carnegie HallGrammy Award won for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional 1980:James Cleveland & The Charles Fold Singers: Lord, Let Me Be an InstrumentGrammy Award won for Best Gospel Album by a Choir or Chorus 1990:The Southern California Community Choir: Having ChurchIn February 1992, Cleveland's then-foster son, Christopher Harris (formerly Christopher Harris Cleveland), filed a lawsuit against Cleveland's estate claiming that Cleveland sexually abused him over a period of five years and infected him with the HIV virus which he claims Cleveland contracted through same-sex liaisons.
Using the legal documents from Christopher B. Harris v. Irwin Goldring as Special Administrator of the Estate of James Cleveland and commentary from Cleveland's contemporaries, it exhumes Cleveland from dusty church closets for consideration in the history of HIV and AIDS in African American Protestant church and gospel communities and in Black ...
- GLQ
- English (US)
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- 115-143
Chris Antonetti is an American professional baseball executive, currently serving as the president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Mar 1, 2021 · Chris’ wife, Jenice, texted the couple’s middle child, Bo, who was preparing for another day at the Indians ’ alternate site during the pandemic-altered season. She informed Bo of the trade,...
