In 2002, Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa, by two choir directors, David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer. The group’s first album, Voices of Heaven, was released in 2005, and reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart three weeks after its release in the United States. The group tours worldwide and has appeared in nearly all of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Nelson Mandela Theatre, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. SGC has performed for such world dignitaries as President Bill Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela. They have shared the stage with such diverse artists and groups as the Black-Eyed Peas, Johnny Clegg, Celine Dion, Kirk Franklin, Josh Groban, the Harlem Gospel Choir, Herbie Hancock, Mark Knopfler, John Legend, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ozzy Osborne, Andre Rieu, Diana Ross, Shakira, U2, Bebe Winans, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the South African sensation, Zahara. Soweto Gospel Choir has won nearly every award available in the gospel and world music categories, including Grammy Awards for their 2007 CD, Blessed and their 2008 album African Spirit. They won a Sports Emmy in 2010 for their collaboration with U2 for ESPN’s promotional campaign for the 2010 World Cup. They have also received three “associated” Grammy Awards, three SAMAs (South African Music Awards), and an Oscar nomination. In March 2013, the choir’s fifth album, Soweto Gospel Choir and Friends—Divine Decade, was released as a celebration of the choir’s 10th Anniversary. In December 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir teamed with Woolworths for a YouTube video tribute to Nelson Mandela, as part of a flash mob event, with the song “Asimbonanga”. The clip went viral and received over 3 million hits in its first week of release. Soweto Gospel Choir has founded its own AIDS orphans foundation, Nkosi’s Haven Vukani, to assist organizations that receive little or no funding. In South Africa, the choir performs for a variety of charitable organizations. For more and current information on Soweto Gospel Choir, including updated touring information, please visit their website at http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com The choir’s Twitter feed is @sowetogospel and their Facebook page can be found by searching for “Official Soweto Gospel Choir.” Recordings of the group can be viewed on YouTube and purchased at all the major online music retailers.
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