SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR

Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in November, 2002
In December, 2002 their first album “Voices of Heaven” was recorded and went on to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart within 3 weeks of its release in the US
In 2003 the choir won its first award, a Helpmann Award, Australia’s prestigious Performing Arts Award, for “Best Contemporary Music Concert”
This success was followed when they won a 2003 American Gospel Music Award for “Best Choir”
In the same year, they won an American Gospel Music Award for “Best International Choir”
They performed for President Bill Clinton at a corporate function in Little Rock, Arkansas
They featured on a guest appearance with Diana Ross, Deborah Cox and Danny K for the “Unite of the Stars” Gala Banquet in South Africa in November 2006
They were invited guests on NBC’s “Today Show” as well as on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
The choir have also made a guest appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’
In December 2006 they performed at Sun City, South Africa, for Oprah Winfrey and 200 of her V.I.P. guests, including Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Sydney Poitier and Quincy Jones
In 2006 the choir performed for Oprah Winfrey

2007 – 2008:

On 11 February 2007, Soweto Gospel Choir received its greatest accolade, a Grammy Award for their second CD “Blessed”, in the category “Best Traditional World Music”
At the same time, they were nominated for the 26th International Reggae and World Music Awards, held at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem, on 5 May, in the category “Contribution to World Music”, alongside Jimmy Cliff, Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour and Ziggy Marley
In May 2007, the choir won a SAMA Award (South African Music Association Award) in the Category “Best Live Performance DVD”
In June 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir was the support act for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at their concerts in Germany
To add to their string of national and international awards, in November 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir won a Metro FM Music Award for Best Gospel Album for “African Spirit”, based on nominations submitted by the radio station’s listeners, and the public
In February 2008, the choir was awarded a second Grammy Award for their third album “African Spirit”, in the “Best Traditional World Music” category
Also in February 2008, the choir was honoured with the PanSALB Award for Multilingualism and Nation Building, for “Album of the Decade”
They performed with Celine Dion during her “Taking Chances” tour of South Africa
The choir has had the honour of performing with gospel legends Bebe Winans and Kirk Franklin
While in New Orleans, they recorded a track with rock legend Robert Plant, which was included on a Fats Domino tribute album, with proceeds going to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
Their 46664 London performance of “Weeping”, with Josh Groban and Vusi Mahlasela, is featured on Josh’s latest album “Collection”
The choir has toured the world extensively, performing at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, the Nelson Mandela Theatre and Royal Festival Hall in London
They have performed at high profile festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival, the Adelaide Festival, the Hong Kong Festival, and the London Festival, always to huge acclaim
Soweto Gospel Choir received its third Grammy nomination in December 2008, this time in the category Best Contemporary World Music, for their album, “Live at the Nelson Mandela Theatre”
The song “Down To Earth” from the blockbuster Wall-E movie, their collaboration with Peter Gabriel, won a Grammy in the Best Movie Song category
In February 2009, the choir became the first South African artist to perform at the Academy Awards, when they sang “Down To Earth”, the Gabriel/Newman Oscar-nominated song, with John Legend

2009 – 2010:

In March 2009, they were nominated for three SAMAs (South African Music Awards), for their cd and dvd, “Live At the Nelson Mandela Theatre”, winning the Award for “Best Duo or Group”
In May 2009, the choir was invited to perform at the Inauguration of South Africa’s new President
In November, members of Soweto Gospel Choir were flown to Los Angeles to take part in a major Pepsi advertising campaign, alongside Akon and Keri Hilson
The choir was one of three featured African artists for the FIFA World Cup Draw held in Cape Town in December 2009
In April 2010, Soweto Gospel Choir was honoured with the inaugural International Achievement Award, at the South African Music Awards held at Sun City.
Also in April, the choir was invited to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 World Trade Expo, held in Shanghai, as the African representative.
The choir collaborated with U2, as the featured South African artist, on the songs “Streets Have No Name”, “Magnificent” and “Boots” for ESPN’s promotional campaign for the 2010 Football World Cup. Excitingly, the campaign paid dividends, as along with ESPN and U2, Soweto Gospel Choir received a Sports Emmy Award as winners of the Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics category on 2 May 2011.
They can then add an Emmy to their two Grammys, three ‘associated ‘Grammys, three SAMAS and one Oscar nomination – an amazing achievement
The choir has also been featured in several prestigious magazines and books including in Time magazine and in Andrew Zuckerman’s “Music”, alongside such music heavyweights as Russell Simmons, Herbie Hancock, Ozzy Osborne, John Legend and Mark Knopfler
They performed at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Soweto, the night before the the opening of the World Cup in June, with a international and African line-up including the Black-Eyed Peas, Shakira, Angelique Kidjo and John Legend.
In December 2010, Soweto Gospel Choir received its fourth Grammy nomination, in the Best Traditional World Music category, for its album “Grace”. The choir was featured alongside the London Philharmonic Orchestra in the song “Baba Yetu” and on the album “Calling All Dawns”, both of which won Grammys in February 2011
2011 – 2012:

In 2011 the choir performed for Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
From May – July 2011, members of the choir toured Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, to rave reviews, while others performed in Guadeloupe , French Caribbean
In July 2011, eighteen choir members performed six concerts in Maastricht, Holland, with top selling classical violinist, Andre Rieu. They joined the Harlem Gospel Choir on stage as a first time collaboration between these world famous choirs.
Soweto Gospel Choir joined Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his guests for his 80th birthday celebrations, held in Cape Town in October 2011. They performed at the launch of his new book, and backed Bono on “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, as a surprise for the Arch. They also sang with other artists at both the cathedral service and the private luncheon for their patron. Bono described them as “brilliant”!
They performed with leading South African artists at the ANC Centenary Celebrations in Bloemfontein on 8 January 2012.
In June 2012, Soweto Gospel Choir was invited by South African sensation Zahara, to perform with her and special guest Leroy Bell as part of two sold out concerts that were filmed for her forthcoming dvd.
Other artists the choir performed with in South Africa during 2012, as their special guests, were Andre Rieu and Johnny Clegg
In December, Soweto Gospel Choir was nominated for its second Kora (All Africa) Award
2013 – 2014:

In March 2013, the choir’s fifth album “ Soweto Gospel Choir & Friends – Divine Decade” was released as a celebration of the choir’s 10th Anniversary. They were joined on the album by several guest artists including top local icons Zahara, The Soil, HHP, Elvis Blue, Corlea, Yvonne Chaka Chaka with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Johnny Clegg, as well as international artists Joepraize from Nigeria, Eric Wainaina from Kenya, Paul Ruske from New Zealand, Robert Plant and U2.
Also in March, the choir returned to Australia and New Zealand to perform at WOMAD in front of many thousands of people, culminating in a sold out concert at the Sydney Opera House
In May 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir was nominated for a SAMA in the Best Collaboration category for their collaboration with Zahara on the song “Bambelele”
Later that month, the choir travelled to Addis Ababa to perform at the African Union’s 50th Celebrations, with other guest artists Papa Wemba, Salif Keita and Judith Sephuma.
In July, they performed for the first time at the Montreal Jazz Festival to rave audience responses and reviews.
In October 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir was nominated for a Crown Gospel Award in the category “Best gospel group”.
In November, while on tour in France, the choir performed for Princess Monaco of Monte Carlo, and received a personal congratulations from her
2013 – President Nelson Mandela (performed for President Mandela numerous times during his Presidency & at his funeral & memorial Service in London)
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. To date, the clip has received over 5 million hits and the choir’s Youtube version of “Amazing Grace has received over 9 million hits
On 13 February 2014, the choir performed with President Bill Clinton and Morgan Freeman at the Nelson Mandela Tribute event in New York, as a fundraiser for the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.
Soweto Gospel Choir was invited to perform at the Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela at Westminster Abbey on 3 March. This was an historic occasion and the service was attended by such prominent people as Archbishop Tutu, Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Harry, The Lord Mayor of London, the Mandela family and many more.
2014 – Performed at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in Westminster Abbey London guests included:
Prince Harry, Idris Elba, Prime Minister David Cameron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In April 2014, the choir was nominated for its sixth South African Music Award (SAMA) in the category “Best Contemporary Faith” album. They performed at the SAMAs with Rebecca Malope and Judith Sephuma
In September 2014, members of the choir performed, with the London African Gospel Choir, in front of 13,000 people at a corporate event at the O2 arena in London.
In December 2014, the choir ended an exciting year by performing at the arrival home welcome for the newly crowned Miss World, South Africa’s Rolene Strauss.

2015 – 2016:

The choir started off 2015 with a performance at the Glo-CAF Awards in Lagos, Nigeria, on 8 January. These are Africa’s premier awards and the choir collaborated with top artists from the continent, including Hugh Masekela, with the event being broadcast to millions around the world
In April, Soweto Gospel Choir male members recorded with this year’s Grammy Award winning flautist, Wouter Kellerman for an amazing rendition of Vivaldi’s “Winter”
In July, they collaborated with Peter Gabriel for a UN Global Goals media campaign and as a track on Peter’s forthcoming album
In September, the choir was honoured to perform for and with Pharrell Williams when he toured South Africa as an Ambassador for Woolworths “Are You With Us” social development campaign
In December, choir members were invited to sing for Prince Harry and other distinguished guests including Graca Machel, Ahmed Kathrada and the US Ambassador at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, for an event to honour Madiba and his legacy, during the Prince’s visit to South Africa
In April 2016, SGC performed for Ambassador Andrew Young and the Mayor of Atlanta at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, to honour the Ambassador’s contribution to the ending of the apartheid era
In May, the choir won the award for “Best Gospel Group” at the Inaugural Tower Music Africa Gospel Awards
In July, the choir was featured as a special guest for Johnny Clegg concerts at Montecasino, performing with Johnny and artists Ross Learmonth, Francois Van Coke and Sipho Mabuse
In the same month, members were invited to honour racing icon Gugu Zulu at his Memorial Service held at Kyalami Race Track
In October, the choir performed as the opening act with Nigerian hit maker Korede Bello, as well as with African superstar Wizkid at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs)
In November, one group performed as a special guest artist at the AFRIMA 2016 (All Africa Music Awards) in Lagos, while the other group performed at the EU 2016 World Forum for Democracy Opening Ceremony in Strasbourg.

2017:

Soweto Gospel Choir’s recording of “Amazing Grace” was included on the critically acclaimed South African movie “Beyond the River’, released in April 2017.
The choir performed as a special guest on Johnny Clegg’s 2017 Farewell Tour for 11 concerts during July, August and November alongside other artists who have been part of Johnny’s 30 year career. They also took part in a surprise private tribute honouring this much lauded music icon
In November 2017, they were invited to collaborate with the final five contestants of SA Idols 13. The response to the choir’s performance was so great that they were invited for a return performance with the two finalists at the Carnival City finale.
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR – BIOGRAPHY

2018

In January, Soweto Gospel Choir welcomed home Miss Universe 2017 at O R Tambo airport
In the same month, the choir received a nomination for the Ubuntu Arts and Cultural Diplomacy Award (Youth) alongside celebrity chef Siba Mtongana and fashion designer Laduma Ngxokolo. This award, a DIRCO initiative, is for an individual or organisation that has promoted a positive image of South Africa globally. Nominees in the Veterans Award category were Johnny Clegg, John Kani and Ladysmith Black Mambazo
On 11th April, Soweto Gospel Choir were honoured to sing at the Memorial service for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the FNB Stadium. The choir has been one of the Mandela families chosen artist since their formation and this was a very sad but uplifting tribute for them to be part of, honouring the life of this much-loved struggle icon
At the end of April, a totally different experience for the choir when they collaborated with three time Grammy Award winner Chance The Rapper at his sell-out concert at the Dome. A very unexpected partnership resulting in over 1,000 rave reviews on social media
During the week commencing 16 July, Soweto Gospel Choir was honoured to be a part of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations, with performances for the Obama Foundation, The Elders, and most importantly the Nelson Mandela Lecture with President Barack Obama, singing the National Anthem and collaborating with Thandiswa Mazwai. They were privileged to sing for such dignitaries as President Cyril Ramaphosa, Patrice Motshepe, Graca Machel, Kofi Annan, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Charlize Theron, the Mandela family as well as many government ministers and local and international celebrities
In September, the choir was a guest artist for 2018 Starlight Classics, Johannesburg.
They collaborated with several top South African artists including Mafikizolo, Connell Cruise, Ard Mathews and Zoe Modiga to a record audience of over 7,000 people
2019:

In 2019 SGC collaborated with several top South African artists such as Lady Zamar, Rebecca Malope, Idols winner Yanga and Amanda Black as well as performing with international artist Ben Harper on his South Africa tour.
Soweto Gospel Choir, won their third Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for their latest album “Freedom”, a collection of songs which celebrate and commemorate South Africa’s democratic movements struggle for freedom.
They performed for the first time at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival to over 8,000 people
In May, they were honoured to be invited by President Cyril Ramaphosa to perform at his Inauguration
2019 saw a highly successful concerts in Kenya and Namibia
They also performed at several Springbok events around the time of the World Cup win.
During August, the choir performed with reknowned Vukani Dance Theatre for a three week run at the Joburg Theatre
Soweto Gospel Choir toured their “Freedom” concert to 49 cities across Australia.
In September they recorded with Kenyan Afro-Pop group sensation Sauti Sol
In October, they were invited to be part of a high profile concert with Lira, Vusi Mahlasela and Lira for Jonathan Oppenheimer’s 50th In July, select membersflew to London to perform with the Inala Company for a charity event at Royal Albert Hall.
They performed their Freedom Concert for a week at Soweto Theatre.
The year ended with the highly successful Jacaranda Carols in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom
2020

The choir started 2020 by welcoming home Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi, followed by singing at Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Pieters and Tim Tebow’s wedding ceremony in Franschoek.
Soweto Gospel Choir performed in the Adelaide Fringe Festival presenting their Freedom concert, and in addition performed in 6 performances with the Groove Terminator in History of House which won the Best Music Award, Adelaide Fringe 2020.

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