Biography
Born as Mahalia Lucille Jenkins on 23 June 1938 in Bolton, Mississippi, USA, Spann began her vocal work with gospel material while still in her home state. During her early teenage years she relocated to Chicago, where she continued performing in the same style. The 1960s brought an encounter with acclaimed blues pianist Otis Spann; the two formed a musical alliance that eventually led to marriage. Joint recording sessions followed, yet the partnership ended abruptly when Otis died prematurely in 1970. Lucille maintained her presence in music and issued additional recordings in the years afterward.