When a song is described as a "gospel and jazz standard," you can be pretty sure that it comes from New Orleans. "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" -- author unknown and origin uncertain -- can be heard today in churches, clubs, and of course, funerals, in both vocal and instrumental renditions. It most likely dates back to the late the 19th century, sung in some version by African Americans on southern plantations, but its known history begins in 1940, when the composer Kenneth Morris heard a porter singing it on a train from Kansas City to Chicago. He published it with his own revisions that year, and the first recording was released by the Selah Jubilee Singers in 1941 (at the bottom of the post), and in the same year by Sister Rosetta Tharp (who may have started the song's transition to jazz). As is not unusual with gospel music, Bluegrass and country musicians have also picked it up.
Audio only:
Home recording of Elvis playing the piano and singing with friends in El Paso in 1958:
Audio only
Recorded in 1945:
Up tempo begins at 3:45
Armstrong enters at 6:00 and the duet begins at 7:00
There have been many other great renditions in all genres; feel free to suggest some in the comments.
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