G. Johnson Hubert

News Obituary Article

ATLANTA: Hubert, taught music, tutored Gladys Knight

By MAE GENTRY

During a teaching career that lasted 50 years, G. Johnson Hubert shared his musical knowledge with hundreds of young students, including singer Gladys Knight and opera star Mattiwilda Dobbs.

The pianist, organist and choral director was so humble, those who came in contact with him would never know he had shaped the careers of such notables.

"He was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I've ever known," said his cousin, Clinton Warner of Atlanta. "Quiet, unassuming. He was doing his thing." The Atlanta native began studying piano at age 6. He majored in music at Morehouse College, earned a master's degree from New York University and a doctorate from Columbia University. He taught at two Atlanta high schools and chaired the music department at Morris Brown College, where he directed the choir for 35 years, until 1985. He was minister of music at First Congregational Church in Atlanta for 43 years.

Mr. Hubert received numerous awards, including a Ford Foundation grant to study African music and two State Department grants to research Afro-Brazilian music and participate in a faculty seminar in Yugoslavia.

"When he had the Morris Brown College choir, they were nationally known," said Roland Yates of Fairburn, Mr. Hubert's former assistant at the church. "They used to travel to raise money for the college and his groups always performed very well. He was very exacting, and he was among the finest musicians you could think of."

The memorial service for Gadus Johnson Hubert Jr., 89, is 11 a.m. today at First Congregational Church. He died Wednesday at his Atlanta home of cardiac arrest. The body was cremated. Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

In recent years, Mr. Hubert made a name for himself as an entertainer, playing light classical songs and popular show tunes at downtown clubs and hotel lounges.

"He could play all sorts of music --- jazz, classical, spirituals," said the Rev. Norman Rates of Decatur, dean emeritus of Spelman College's Sisters Chapel. "He recorded at least three albums."

Mr. Warner said Mr. Hubert inspired him to learn piano.

"All my life, he's been one of my heroes, particularly as regards music," said Mr. Warner, who is 80. "I remember almost worshipping him as a youngster because of his abilities. . . . I practice piano almost every day, and it's because of him."

Ann Cooper of Atlanta, 103, counted Mr. Hubert among her closest friends.

"He was just a little gentleman," she said. "After my husband died and his wife died, whenever I needed an escort, he would carry me. Whenever I needed a way to get to church, I'd call him."

Mr. Hubert's nephew, Imam Plemon El-Amin of Atlanta, remembers his love of international travel, his thriftiness and his penchant for neatness, punctuality and generosity.

"He would help people [financially], and he would make them pledge not to let anybody know he helped them," the nephew said. "He would go overseas at least two or three times a year. He had a great life." There are no immediate survivors.

© 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution