Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

Biography

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens are a Brooklyn-based gospel and soul group fronted by the powerful vocalist Naomi Shelton, born Naomi Davis on October 14, 1942, in Midway, Alabama. Shelton’s musical journey began in her childhood, singing in her Baptist church and performing on the radio with her siblings as the Davis Sisters. After graduating high school in 1958, she moved to Florida, where she was influenced by both gospel and secular soul music, before settling in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963. There, she became a fixture on the club scene, notably as a house singer at the Nite Cap club, and forged a partnership with pianist Cliff Driver, who would become her long-time musical director.

Despite a career spanning over four decades, Shelton did not release her first full-length album until 2009, when Daptone Records issued 'What Have You Done, My Brother?' to critical acclaim, followed by 'Cold World' in 2014. The group’s sound is rooted in classic gospel, soul, and blues, characterized by Shelton’s gritty contralto and the Queens’ rich harmonies, blending vintage soul with a deeply spiritual message. Their music, described as 'timeless funk and blues-tinged soul,' has earned them a reputation as one of the hardest working live acts, with performances at major festivals and venues in the US and Europe. Shelton’s legacy endures as a bridge between the sacred and the secular, bringing gospel fire and heartfelt authenticity to contemporary soul music.

Fun Facts

• Naomi Shelton did not release her debut album until she was in her late 60s, despite performing for over 40 years.
• She began singing on the radio as a child with her siblings, known as the Davis Sisters, in Alabama.
• Shelton was renowned for her tradition of calling friends and colleagues on their birthdays, remembered as the 'coolest person in the room' by her Daptone family.
• Her first major recording opportunity came after a chance meeting at a Manhattan club with Gabriel Roth, who later co-founded Daptone Records.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Five Blind Boys of Alabama - Early gospel inspiration for Shelton during her childhood in Alabama. (General influence on vocal style and repertoire.) [1940s–1950s]
• Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers - Major influence on Shelton’s approach to gospel and soul singing. (General influence, especially on blending gospel with soul.) [1950s–1960s]
• Otis Redding - Inspired Shelton’s move toward soul music after relocating to Florida. (General influence on vocal delivery and style.) [1960s]

Key Collaborators

• Cliff Driver - Pianist, musical director, and co-founder of the Gospel Queens; Shelton’s closest collaborator for decades. (What Have You Done, My Brother?, Cold World, live performances) [1960s–2020s]
• Fred Thomas - Bassist and former James Brown band member; performed and recorded with Shelton & the Gospel Queens. (What Have You Done, My Brother?, Cold World, live shows) [1999–2020s]
• Gabriel Caplan - Guitarist and early supporter; helped connect the group to Daptone Records. (Band member on both Daptone albums) [2000s–2020s]
• Edna Johnson - Original member of The Queens; suggested Shelton as lead singer, background vocalist. (What Have You Done, My Brother?, Cold World) [1999–2020s]
• Bobbie Jean Gant - Background vocalist and long-time band member. (What Have You Done, My Brother?, Cold World) [2000s–2020s]

Artists Influenced

• Daptone Records artists - Shelton’s work helped define the label’s gospel-soul sound and inspired younger artists on the roster. (General influence on Daptone’s soul revival movement) [2000s–2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I'll Take the Long Road (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
2. What Have You Done (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
3. Sinner (Cold World)
4. You Gotta Move
5. What Is This (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
6. Everybody Knows (River Song) (Cold World)
7. What More Can I Do? (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
8. By Your Side (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
9. I Need You to Hold My Hand (What Have You Done, My Brother?)
10. Lift My Burdens (What Have You Done, My Brother?)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia