Darrell Mansfield is an American vocalist, harmonica player, songwriter, recording artist, and performer of various genres including gospel, contemporary Christian music, blues, blues rock, rock, country rock, and soul/R&B. He is considered a pioneer of the

Jesus Music Jesus music, known as gospel beat music in the United Kingdom, is a style of Christian music that originated on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This musical genre developed in parallel to the Jesus movemen ...

movement of the 1970s and has influenced countless contemporary Christian music and mainstream artists alike.

Biography

In 1974, Mansfield formed the Christian country rock band, Jubal, along with Don Gerber, Paul Angers, Steve Kara, and Henry Cutrona. After a name change from Jubal to

Gentle Faith Gentle Faith was a Christian country rock band in the 1970s, during the Jesus music era. An early version of the group released a song on ''The Everlastin' Living Jesus Music Concert'' in 1971 and one self-titled album in 1976 on the Maranatha! lab ...

, the group released their self-titled album, ''Gentle Faith'', in 1976. In 1977, Mansfield formed the Darrell Mansfield Band. He has since recorded over 30 albums and toured throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Mansfield has contributed vocals and harmonica to recordings by artists including

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, and

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. He has also played alongside

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, Joe Turner,

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, and

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. Mansfield was inducted into the Hohner Harmonica Hall of Fame in 1980 and is the "Ambassador to California" for the

Blues Hall of Fame The Blues Hall of Fame is a music museum located at 421 S. Main Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Initially, the "Blues Hall of Fame" was not a physical building, but a listing of people who have significantly contributed to blues music. Started in 1 ...

. Mansfield is a vocal advocate for those facing mental health issues. Having struggled with depression throughout his life as a result of a chemical imbalance, Mansfield attempted suicide on numerous occasions, first in 1971, and later spent two years at Atascadero State Hospital in central California. He now incorporates the discussion of mental health in his music ministry.

Discography

* 1976: ''Gentle Faith'' (with

) * 1979: ''Higher Power'' * 1980: ''Get Ready'' * 1983: ''Darrell Mansfield Live'' * 1983: ''The Vision'' * 1985: ''Revelation'' * 1988: ''Darrell Mansfield Band Live at Calvary Chapel'' * 1990: ''Trimmed and Burnin ‒ with

* 1991: ''Blues with a Feelin ‒ with Eric Turner. * 1991: ''Live at Flevo'' * 1992: ''Get Ready'' (re-release) * 1992: ''Give Him Your Blues'' * 1993: ''Slow Burn'' ‒ with Glenn Kaiser * 1993: ''Shack of Peasants'' * 1994: ''The Blues Night'' ‒ with Glenn Kaiser * 1994: ''Collection'' * 1995: ''Mansfield and Company'' * 1995: ''Tribute to Reverend Dan Smith: The Lord's House'' * 1995: ''Into the Night'' ‒ with Larry Howard, Glenn Kaiser * 1997: ''Delta Blues'' * 1997: ''Crossroads'' * 1998: ''Last Chance Boogie'' * 1999: ''Live in Europe'' * 2000: ''Live on Tour'' * 2000: ''Soul'd Out'' * 2004: ''The Best of Darrell Mansfield Vol. 1'' * 2007: ''Shades'' * 2008: ''Born to be Wild'' * 2009: ''Life's Highway'' * 2009: ''The Best of Darrell Mansfield Vol. 2'' * 2009: ''People Get Ready'' (live) * 2014: ''I Am Not Alone''

Guest appearances

* 1975: Karen Lafferty ‒ ''Bird in a Golden Sky'' (Maranatha! Music)

Compilation albums

* 1979: ''Hosanna USA Live'' (live) (Maranatha! Music) * 1992: ''Larry Howard's Cornerstone Blues Jam'' (Live) (Forefront Records) Tracks 4 & 5

Videography

* 1998: '' First Love: A Historic Gathering Of Jesus Music Pioneers'' (live) * 2009: ''People Get Ready'' (live)

References

External links

*
Hohner Harmonica's Darrell Mansfield Site

Darrell Mansfield discography at discogs.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mansfield, Darrell Living people Gospel blues musicians American blues singers American blues harmonica players American performers of Christian music Year of birth missing (living people)