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Page 2 of 2 Soweto Gospel Choir’s new CD, Blessed, delivers an inviting, warm and exotic mix of moving traditional South African hymns and traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho gospel songs with honey toned harmonies, rich interwoven vocal textures and driving rhythmic patterns. The eighteen tracks on Blessed are sung in six of South Africa’s eleven official languages including Zulu Xhosa, Sotho, Venda and English. In an inspiring set of songs, the choir interprets inspirational material from around the world, such as "Biko,” their heartfelt version of Peter Gabriel's tribute to anti-apartheid hero Stephen Biko, a beguiling rendition of Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence's "I Bid You Goodnight," a rollicking, almost doo-wop version of the traditional hymn "Swing Down" and of course a South African take on Edwin Hawkins’ pop gospel smash "Oh Happy Day." There's also a subtle and delicate performance of Soloman Linda's classic "Mbube" (known world-wide as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"). Each song illustrates Soweto Gospel Choir’s unparalleled ability to create sheer aural beauty with their voices, both in powerful solo segments and lush choral harmonies. Throughout Blessed the choir’s performances are wrought with emotion and easily convey universal themes of the human spirit. The choir recently performed music from this CD in New Zealand and Australia, and the response from both audiences and reviewers was phenomenal, with standing ovations and high praise.
No amount of glittering international recognition and praise has diverted Soweto Gospel Choir from the mission it holds close at heart. In 2003, the choir founded its own aids orphans foundation, Nkosi’s Haven/Vukani (the word ‘Vukani’ means ‘do something!’). The choir’s charity in conjunction with Nkosi’s Haven (a Soweto-based AIDS-care project established by Gail Johnson, whose late son Nkosi, at age 11, gave a moving address to a United Nations international AIDS conference that was televised world-wide) raises funds for AIDS orphan establishments that receive no government or private funding. The choir has been able to raise a significant amount of money that has been used to donate food parcels and other essential goods to numerous needy organizations. Musical Director of Soweto Gospel Choir, David Mulovhedzi, shares “As South Africans we’re in a position where we’re working hard to help the helpless, especially children. When we perform around the world, we receive donations and when we return home, we use them to buy whatever those kids might need. We feed them and give them blankets. It’s not a matter of simply dishing out money; the money’s used to buy things they need.”
Soweto Gospel Choir (comprised of young musicians mostly in their 20’s) was created in 2002 by Australian Producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Clifford Hocking. Under the direction of South African Executive Producer/Show Director, Beverly Bryer and in association with notable Musical Director, David Mulovhedzi the choir quickly achieved critical acclaim. Bryer & Mulovedzi held auditions in Soweto to form an all-star “super-choir” and were able to create a powerful aggregation made up of the best singers from Mulovhedzi’s own Holy Jerusalem Choir, as well as various Soweto churches and from the general public. Africa in general (and South Africa in particular) has a long and diverse history with gospel music. When Africans came into contact with European missionaries and churches, they quickly absorbed their religious music and blended it with local traditional music to come up with unique styles and repertoires of spiritual songs. South Africa has long been noted for powerful singers and a cappella vocal traditions of great beauty.
David Mulovhedzi shares, “Soweto Gospel Choir enjoys singing and preaching gospel through its music. When our producers announced that we were to tour the US a second time, the choir was very excited because we know that gospel music is popular in America and we feel that we will also contribute a lot with our own South African traditional gospel. In our first US tour we were really moved when audiences got up and danced to our music. It was inspiring to see audience members with tears in their eyes as a result of our soulful and highly spiritual music.”
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to experience Soweto Gospel Choir as it makes its triumphant return to North America. The choir’s tour has been assembled by the internationally renowned agency, IMG Artists. Vice President, IMG Artists, Nancy Gabriel says “We are thrilled to bring the choir back for their second U.S. tour, and this time the choir will be visiting 44-cities across the country. By popular demand, we are already booking their third tour in 2007, which will include the United States and Canada.”
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