Dorinda Clark-Cole

Dorinda Clark-Cole is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American evangelist and gospel singer. She is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark. Clark-Cole was born on October 19, 1957 and raised in Detroit, Michigan to the late Elbert and Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark. She began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen Clark Sheard, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Jacky Clark, and Denise Clark-Bradford. The sisters sang in their father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark-Cole, who is referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, scats, and soulful growls. Dorinda attributes her fiery, convicting singing style to her mother, who saw the gift of singing and preaching in her at an early age. Back in the 1960s and 70s, when other children their age were playing outside, Dorinda and her sisters had to work on their familial harmonies. She says, “We made a lot of sacrifices. My mom was a stickler for making sure we rehearsed before we went out to perform. She saw the gifts and talents within us and started shaping and molding us. She taught us discipline along with how to use our gifts.” Dorinda sang lead on many Clark Sisters sons, including "Overdose Of The Holy Ghost," the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought the Sunshine," and 1989's "My Reedemer Liveth."