Born December 23, 1932 (some sources say 1931), in Chicago, Ill.; son of Ben Cleveland (a WPA worker); children: LaShone (daughter). Addresses: Home-- Los Angeles, CA. Office-- c/o Ed. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland began singing as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church where Thomas A. Dorsey was minister of music and Roberta Martin was. Childhood. James Cleveland was born in 1930s. The 1930s were called the Great Depression (1929-1939). It was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world..
Childhood. James Cleveland was born in 1930s. The 1930s were called the Great Depression (1929-1939). It was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world..