Harry 'Sweets' Edison discusses his love of music.

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Harry 'Sweets' Edison discusses the influence of the church on his development.

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Harry 'Sweets' Edison discusses his early days as a musician.

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Q: “Was the church very strong in your life when you were a young man?”

A: Harry Edison: “Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. I think the church was very, very predominant in every Black performer’s life because my grandmother and all of my ancestors, that was their only hope, is believing in God you know. And on Sundays, that was an all-day festivity. And dinner, everything, was at the church, you know, and that was their only hope.

It was to sing because they worked so hard in the fields all day, you know. Night time was a time for song and it was a time for relieving all your troubles that you’ve encountered all day with songs, you know, and that prepared them for the next day. You know, spirituals. You take all your great vocalists, they’ve come out of the church.

Sarah Vaughan, she was a church choir. Ella Fitzgerald, she was in the church choir. Well, Mahalia Jackson.”

Interviewer: “Probably so.”

Harry Edison: “Sure.”

Interviewer: “Aretha Franklin.”

Harry Edison: “Aretha Franklin.”

Interviewer: “Yeah.”

Harry Edison: “All those … I used to play organ in the church, you know.'