Jazz Fest 2003Mahalia Jackson by James Michalopoulos The most spiritual and spirited voice of the 20th Century belonged to the late, great pioneering interpreter of gospel music, Mahalia Jackson. Choosing the sanctified music of the church over the temptations of R&B, this New Orleans native had a huge impact on an earthly plane: she influenced the rock & roll of Little Richard, launched the career of accompanist Billy Preston, won a Lifetime Achievement Grammy,