Voices from Heaven

The Soweto Gospel Choir brings potent songs of South African heritage and spirit to American audiences.

By: Mary Jasch

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The Soweto Gospel Choir sings everything from South African gospel and pop, to American standards.


   The Soweto Gospel Choir is coming to steal your soul for an evening. You will rise from your chair, dance at your seat and, in the end, feel the spirit moving you. In its performance, the choir will wrap the audience in vocal harmonies and pulsing percussion that resonates to the bone.
   The Soweto Gospel Choir promises all this during a musical panorama-of-the-senses at the State Theatre in New Brunswick Feb. 3. The performance, part of a 35-city tour celebrating the release of the group’s first CD, Voices From Heaven, brings potent songs of South African heritage and spirit to American audiences.
   The choir is comprised of 32 singers, dancers and musicians.
Much of the performance is a cappella, with percussion and a full band sometimes
accompanying the singers with strains of jazz, rock and "township jive."

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   Musical Director David Mulovhedzi and producer Beverly Bryer created the group in November 2002. "When producers from Australia came to South Africa and saw the traditional dances, the idea came about to form a gospel choir to tour the world," says Mr. Mulovhedzi. "Singers, dancers and musicians auditioned and we came up with 32 beautiful voices. We call them the ‘voices from heaven.’"
   Mr. Mulovhedzi, a choral musical director for 18 years, has
entertained the president of China, the Prince of Saudi Arabia and former South
Africa President Nelson Mandela. Members of the choir come from all walks of musical
fame. Lead guitarist Joshua Mcineka’s career began when he was 14. He has toured
England, Ireland and Denmark and also plays penny whistle and sings bass. His
guitar on Jimmy Cliff’s ballad "Many Rivers to Cross" is pure and haunting.
   "Joshua is a very experienced guitarist," says Mr. Mulovhedzi. "He makes his guitar talk and it blends with the voices."
   Like many young Americans who trek to New York to make it in the arts, Jabulile Dladla, percussionist and alto singer, moved to Johannesburg to express her talents. Sibongile Makgathe, alto and founder of the gospel group Joyous Celebration, also sang with African stars Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, among others.
   Many of the songs are traditional South African gospel; others bow to South African pop. Four songs, including "Amazing Grace" and "African Dream," are sung in English, one of eight languages used on the CD, but listeners need not know Zulu, Xhosa or Sotho to enjoy it or feel the spirit that drives this choral group.
   South African traditional songs stem from their ways of praising the Lord.
   "In the old times," Mr. Mulovhedzi says, "when there was a drought or a famine, our forefathers would go to the mountain and pray. When they returned it was raining and they praised God for answering their prayers. They celebrated with dancing and singing and the beating of the drums, and a lot of happy things."
   The tunes have elements of modern music called "kwaito" music, aka township jive, with a style that is close to R&B or hip hop.
   "Kwaito artists include gospel in their tracks. Gospel has taken over South Africa. It’s considered a wonderful thing to praise God. So we include kwaito in our tracks," Mr. Mulovhedzi says.
   The choir has performed at prestigious venues in Britain, Europe, Australia, Singapore and Africa — many places twice or more, and each time welcomed with enthusiasm.
   "The choir was formed with the intention of traveling," Mr. Mulovhedzi says. "Every time we perform the places are packed. It’s something wonderful to people outside South Africa because it’s new to them.
   "When the people come and watch our show, they will really enjoy themselves," he continues. "It is a wonderful experience to see the choir singing traditional songs. At the Sydney Opera House, a few people came backstage and said they saw our show three times that week because it’s such a wonderful show."
   In 2003, at Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert in Capetown — named for his prison number — the choir was invited to perform its gospel songs. "We were also invited to take part and back up rock groups. We were invited to sing for AIDS and we felt great about it, to sit alongside people like Peter Gabriel, Bono and Jimmy Cliff," says Mr. Mulovhedzi.
   Always in support of children with AIDS, the Choir has started its own foundation called Vukani, Zulu for "get up and do something." The charity, administered jointly by the choir and Nkosi’s Haven (providing long-term care for mothers with AIDS and their children), offers essentials to children with AIDS who are being cared for by families and establishments who receive no other help.
   Mr. Mulovhedzi says he wants everyone to know that if they come to the concert they will be happy. "We want to show the world that God loves them so much. Even in bad times God will answer your prayers because he loves the world. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy our music. Our music is for both old and young. You will definitely enjoy our music."
The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave.,
New Brunswick, Feb. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$32. For information, call (732)
246-7469. On the Web: www.statetheatrenj.org