Complex sentence: In 1946, the Bermans signed Mahalia Jackson to a recording contract; although she was already regarded as "The Queen of Gospel" based on her personal appearances, Jackson had previously known only scant contact with recording.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1946, the Bermans signed Mahalia Jackson to a recording contract. Although she was already regarded as "The Queen of Gospel" based on her personal appearances, Jackson had previously known only scant contact with recording.