Biography
Born in Philadelphia, USA, Douglas began as a fervent gospel performer who maintained his own ministry and drew frequent early-career comparisons to the Rev. James Cleveland. Having absorbed the work of numerous legendary gospel artists while growing up, he regarded himself as a “guardian” of that heritage. In the mid-60s he left his native city for New York, where he assembled his debut ensemble, the all-male Isaac Douglas Singers. Their inaugural United Artists Records single, Lord Have Mercy, appeared soon afterward. He next played a central role in establishing the New York Community Choir, whose engagements included providing backing vocals on Nikki Giovanni’s well-received album Truth Is On The Way and performing regularly at New York’s Museum of Modern Art; the group also appeared on mainstream programs such as Soul. Still guided by Cleveland’s example, Douglas shifted to Los Angeles in the early 70s to launch his ministry and simultaneously signed a fresh recording deal with Nashboro/Creed Records. Both his own ensemble and the New York Community Choir cut sides for the label. Later relocating to Nashville, he sustained his choral partnerships, among them the Johnson Ensemble, with whom he documented “The Harvest Is Plentiful.”
Albums
