The Clark Sisters To Be Honored at The ESSENCE Festival!

The Clark Sisters are renowned for their vocal stylings, dubbed as “The Clark Sound.” They incorporate high and fast melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulfulgrowls, or “squalls”. The sisters are also known for the individual distinctive sounds that they contribute. Jacky ([contralto]) is known for her soft, smooth, deeper vocals.Dorinda ([mezzo-soprano]), the “jazzy” sister, inputs scats and riffs. Denise, who is no longer associated with the group ([Soprano]) is known for her high pitched singing voice. Uses her piercing soprano vocals that can be cleary heard on early tracks. Also known for her runs and high melismas. Karen ([soprano]) is known for her unique riffs, runs, growls, scats, very vast vocal range, ability to belt whilst in the whistle range, and has also been known to implement an “echo” in her live performances. Twinkie is known for her complex runs, riffs, powerful mixed-voice belts, soulful squalls and deep growls. Twinkie (Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano/Alto/Contralto/Tenor/Baritone) is credited with being the “heart of the Clark Sisters.” Early in the group’s development, Twinkie was the chief songwriter, music and vocal arranger, producer, and also possessing a wide vocal range from soprano to a low baritone.

There is no single lead vocalist in the group. Jacky leads songs such as “Wonderful Counselor,” “I’ve Got An Angel,” and “So Much Joy”, and “God Understands All”. Dorinda leads “Overdose of the Holy Ghost,” “Time Out” and “My Redeemer Liveth”, “I Won’t Let Go ‘Til You Bless My Soul”, “Determination”, “Looking To Get There (Heaven)”, and “Sanctify Me Lord”. Karen sings lead on “Hallelujah,” “Endow Me,” the Grammy-winning “Blessed and Highly Favored.” Twinkie leads on “Pray for the USA,” “I’ve Got The Victory”, and their biggest hit “You Brought The Sunshine.” Denise sings lead on “Something Worth Living For”, “Count It All Joy”, and “Christ Is Born Today.”

The group’s sound and success have been highly influential on the contemporary genre of gospel music.