J.D. Sumner

Biography

John Daniel "J. D." Sumner was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his bass voice. Sumner sings the final note on the Elvis Presley song "Way Down", a C1. His vocal range extended below the lowest playable note on the piano, reaching the note G0 in a 26-second vocal slide at a concert while singing backing vocals for Presley. There are some claiming he reached an Eb0 in a recorded live concert while singing with the Blackwood Brothers, however this cannot be verified. He was famous for his group J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and his associations with the Blackwood Brothers and Elvis Presley.

Known For

Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii

as Self - Band

Elvis on Tour

as Self - Vocals, The Stamps

Elvis in Concert

as Self - backing vocals (uncredited)

Elvis: The Lost Performances

as Self (archive footage)

All Day Singing at The Dome

as Self

The Sweetest Song I Know

as Himself

Quick on the Trigger

as Band Member

Challenge of the Range

as Guitar Player (uncredited)

Elvis Live at Madison Square Garden

as Self - Vocals

Elvis Presley: Meet Me In Memphis

as vocals