Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Reuben Hawkins (August 19, 1943 – January 15, 2018) was an American gospel musician, pianist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He was born in Oakland, California.
Hawkins (as leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers) was probably best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968–69). The Edwin Hawkins Singers made a second foray into the charts exactly one year later, backing folk singer Melanie on "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)". 
He won four Grammy Awards in 1970, 1971, 1978 and in 1993.
Edwin Hawkins was a Pentecostal. He died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Pleasanton, California at the age of 74.