Soweto Gospel Choir | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The choir in Graz, Austria (2014) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Soweto,South Africa |
| Genres | Gospel |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Shanachie |
| Website | www |
TheSoweto Gospel Choir is a South Africangospel group.
The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed inSoweto, South Africa, by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, and producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Cliff Hocking in 2002.[1] The more than 30-member ensemble blends elements of Africangospel,Negro spirituals,reggae andAmerican popular music. The group performed at the first of the46664 concerts forNelson Mandela and has since toured internationally several times.
Their albumsBlessed,African Spirit andFreedom won theGrammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2006, 2007 and 2019, respectively.[2]
On 7 July 2007 they performed at theSouth African leg ofLive Earth. Also in 2007, they joinedRobert Plant in contributing toGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino (Vanguard Records), performing their version of Domino's "Valley of Tears".
The group was featured on thePeter Gabriel/Thomas Newman song "Down to Earth", written forPixar's 2008 feature filmWALL-E. The song was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the66th Golden Globe Awards and theAcademy Award for Best Original Song at the81st Academy Awards.[3]
The group performed at the2010 FIFA World Cup final draw on 4 December 2009 inCape Town, South Africa.[4]
In 2010, composerChristopher Tin's song "Baba Yetu", which featured the group, won theGrammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). The song had originally been produced forFiraxis Games's 2005 videogameCivilization IV, but Tin enlisted the Soweto Gospel Choir to re-record the song for inclusion on his debut album,Calling All Dawns, leading to the song's nomination and award. This marked the first time a video game composition had won or been nominated for the category.[citation needed]
The group collaborates with American publishing company MusicSpoke to publish transcriptions of a number of its pieces, including "Balm of Gilead", "Hloholonofatsa", "Ke Na Le Modisa", "Khumbaya", "Shosholoza", "Somlandela" and "Swing Down Sweet Chariot".[citation needed] They appear on Peter Gabriel's tenth studio album,I/O—onits title track, "Road to Joy" and "Live and Let Live".[5]
TheARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of themusic of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | History of House | Best World Music Album | Nominated | [9] |
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