Africa is renowned for its incredible depth of musical and vocal talent. It’s a continent that seems to possess a secret production line, creating singers and musicians of awe-inspiring ability at will. And none are more awe-inspiring than South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir
History in the Making
Heralded as one of the most exciting acts to emerge in the world music genre of late, this community-based choir, ranging in size between 26 and 52 members at any one time, made history by becoming the first African musical act to win a Grammy Award twice in a row.
In 2007 they were the delightfully surprised recipients of the Best Traditional World Music Album award for their wonderfully infectious 2nd album “Blessed”; on 10 February 2008 they were even more surprised to be named winners in the exact same category, this time for their rousing 3rd album “African Spirit”. Few artists across the globe have managed to win 2 Grammys in a row.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have won a Grammy for the second time,” said founding member Shimmy Jiyane upon receiving the award. “It was so special to win last year, but twice in a row, is more than we ever could have hoped for. We hope we can continue to make South Africa proud.”
Overnight Success
Making South Africa proud is something the group done with regularity since forming, somewhat off the cuff, in 2002 under the joint directorship of producer Beverly Bryer and musical director David Mulovhedzi. 
The description “overnight success” is much abused in the showbiz press but in the choir’s case, it is justified. After less than a year in the business, the choir triumphantly toured Australia and New Zealand, winning the first of many international awards – the Australian Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert – and playing to sell out audiences across both countries.
They also fast became regulars on the international Billboard World Music Charts, with all 3 of their albums – “Voices from Heaven”, “Blessed” and “African Spirit” – reaching number 1 and staying there for weeks on end.
Conquering Edinburgh
Just how big an impact this amazing group of performers has had on audiences around the world is best illustrated by their conquering of the tough and unforgiving world of Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival in 2003, one of the biggest arts festivals in the world.
Competing for attention and headline space with more than 1 600 acts from all corners of the globe, the then largely unknown choir became the highest selling act of the year, putting on extra shows to meet demand and eventually performing 29 concerts in 30 days. Standing ovations were the norm and they topped the list of critic’s choices.
Show-stopping Celebration
Drawn from the vibrant church-going communities in Soweto, where beautiful voices soar in celebration of God and life, the choir is an intriguing mix of the traditional and the contemporary, bringing together the down-to-earth rhythms of Africa and the upbeat energy of contemporary pop to create a unique sound that uplifts the soul.
Earthy rhythms, rich harmonies and a cappella numbers combine with energetic dancing and vibrant, colourful costumes for a show that can only be described as awesome.
Performing both traditional and contemporary songs, adding its own distinctive feel and interpretation to both, the choir also celebrate the melting pot that is the rainbow nation by performing in no less than 7 of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
Satisfying Sounds of Africa
While the choir enjoys working in a variety of musical styles, when touring abroad they favour of indigenous African music in an attempt to introduce audiences to songs they seldom hear.
“It is always a challenge whenever we perform local songs to the international audiences because we really don’t know if they will enjoy them,” says musical director David Mulovhedzi. “But everywhere we have performed, people have stood up and danced together with us and that's always been a great pleasure for the choir.”
Singing for Soweto
Fame and fortune, however, has not gone to their heads and no amount of glittering international recognition can divert the choir from a cause that lies close to their hearts – the upliftment of the people of Soweto.
In 2003 the choir founded an AIDS orphans foundation, Nkozi’s Haven Vukani. With the plight of South Africa’s sick and impoverished in mind, their foundation supports families unable so support themselves and since its inception the choir have raised more than R3 million for the foundation.
But best of all is how the choir have helped focus music fans’ ears on Soweto, a hotbed of creative energy that is too often ignored. The brilliance of the Soweto Gospel Choir is just a drop in an ocean of talent waiting to be discovered and chances are Soweto will produce many more Grammy winners in the years to come.
Music lover’s can find out where the Soweto Gospel Choir will be performing next by visiting their website.
©Photographs are courtesy and copyright of the Soweto Gospel Choir
Links: