W. James Abbington, Progressive National Baptist Convention music director and sacred music scholar, dies at 65

Dr. W. James “Jimmie” Abbington, a leading figure in Black sacred music and liturgical tradition, died at age 65, according to two reports. The reports differ on some details of his background. One describes him as a graduate of Morehouse College who held advanced music degrees from the University of Michigan. The other gives his full name as W. James Abbington Jr. and says he was a former associate professor of church music and worship at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, where he taught for two decades.

Abbington worked as a music director for the Progressive National Baptist Convention. One report says he collaborated for more than two decades with the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, according to its founding director, Dr. Marco K. Merrick.

In July, Abbington began as the first Joseph B. Bethea Professor of the Practice of Sacred Music and Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School. One report describes the post as the inaugural professor of Black sacred music at the school. He had planned to return to campus for the fall semester. Duke Divinity School Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric described Abbington as a “joyful presence and a master teacher,” and said he felt profound grief at his passing. Teaching younger musicians and scholars in this way is a form of passing the faith on to the next generation (Psalm 78:4).

GIA Publications, where Abbington was executive editor of the African American Church Music Series for more than two decades, announced his death on Saturday. One report says he died in Georgia after complications from a medical procedure.

Rev. Cynthia Hale, senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., also reflected on his impact.

The Hampton Choir Directors’ and Organists’ Guild named an annual academy in his honor in 2010.