Saturday, October 13, 2018, 8pm Paramount Theatre, Oakland Soweto gospel Choir

Milton Ndlakuse Music Director Vincent Jiyane Choir Master Mulalo Mulovhedzi General Manager Mary Mulovhedzi Administrator

Choir Members Mirriam Chapole Gugu Mbongwa Sipho Ngcamu Mlungiseleni Jones Mazwe Mhlongo Zanele Ngcamu George Kaudi Siyabolela Mkefa Linda Sambo Sibongile Makgathe Original Msimango Phello Sejake Victor Makhathini Semangele Mongatane Portia Skosana Maserame Ndindwa

Touring Crew Toni Rudov Company Manger Maija Putans Stage Manager Andrew Ride Touring Lighting Designer/Operator Leon June JR Touring Audio Designer/Operator

producers Andrew Kay International Producer Margot Teele and Toni Rudov Associate Producers www.sowetogospelchoir.com

is evening’s program will be performed without an intermission and will last approximately 90 minutes.

This performance is made possible, in part, by Patron Sponsors Annette Campbell-White and Ruediger Naumann-Etienne. Cal Performances’ 2018 –19 season is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

2 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

A Message from the president Introduction of the Republic of e spectacular and colorful two-time Gram - to the Soweto gospel Choir my Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir for Freedom , the Mandela Centenary CD return to North America with this special pro - ere are few things that upli the soul more gram celebrating the 100th anniversary of the then the sound of voices in harmony. Song has birth of the Father of their rainbow nation, been an integral and valued accompaniment to . the struggle of the South African people to be Hailing from the town of Soweto ( So uth free. It has mobilized, inspired, and comforted We st To wnship), the birthplace of South Africa’s generations of freedom fighters. is is democratic movement’s struggle for freedom, a worthy tribute to the father of our nation the Soweto Gospel Choir is a multi-Grammy Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, and a joyous cel - Award-winning ensemble that has thrilled ebration of the free and united nation that we audiences around the world with its stunning have become. blend of African gospel, freedom songs, and e name Soweto Gospel Choir has become international classics. is is a special appear - synonymous with excellence, in South Africa ance by a group of singers who performed for and beyond our shores. Formed to celebrate Nelson Mandela on many occasions during the unique and inspirational power of African his life and sang at his state funeral at home in , this proudly South African en - South Africa as well as at his commemorative semble continues to inspire generations of lis - service at West minster Cathedral in London. teners with its stirring and upliing music. Combining earthy rhythms and rich harmonies Music, wrote Plato, “gives a soul to the uni - and sung in six of South Africa’s 11 official lan - verse, wings to the mind, flight to the imagina - guages, tonight’s performance promises to be a tion, a charm to sadness, and life to everything.” moving experience that will upli the soul. ese are such apt words when reflecting on this country’s history—at times tragic, at times exhilarating, and always deeply infused with the CHOIR HISTORY songs of freedom rendered by our people from generation to generation. ere is no doubt that music has played an instrumental role in not 2002–06 just the anti- struggle, but also in Soweto Gospel Choir is formed in November, chronicling our liberation. 2002. To mark the centenary of our country’s In December 2002 the group’s first album, founding father, President Nelson Mandela, Voices of Heaven , is recorded. It reaches the the Soweto Gospel Choir has released Freedom , No. 1 spot on Billboard ’s chart a collection of South Africa’s most famous within three weeks of its release in the US. struggle songs, bringing to these well-known melodies their own unique sound. One cannot In 2003 the choir wins its first honor, Australia’s but be moved by these soul-stirring melodies Help mann Award, for Best Contemporary that tell our story as a country and as a nation. Music Concert . I congratulate these great ambassadors for is success is followed with another honor South Africa on this achievement; and am when the choir wins a 2003 American Gospel confident that like the that have gone for Best Choir. before, this offering from the Soweto Gospel at same year, the group wins the coveted Choir will be in the pantheon of legendary American Gospel Music Award for Best Inter - South African music in the years to come. national Choir. —July 10, 2018 Cyril Ramaphosa e choir performs for President Bill Clinton at President of the Republic of South Africa a corporate function in Little Rock, Arkansas.

2B PLAYBILL ABOUT THE ARTISTS

In October 2006, the choir appears as invited In February 2008, the choir receives a second guests for patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Grammy, for African Spirit , in the Best Tradi- 75th birthday celebrations, before of an illustri - tional World Music category. ous audience that includes former President Also in February 2008, the choir is honored Nelson Mandela, Zanele Mbeki, Tokyo Sex - with the PanSALB Award for Multilingualism wale, Samuel L Jackson, Alfre Woodard, and and Nation Building for Album of the Decade. Carlos Santana. e choir performs with Celine Dion during e Soweto Gospel Choir makes a guest ap - her Taking Chances tour of South Africa. pearance with Diana Ross, Deborah Cox, and Danny K for the “Unite of the Stars” Gala e choir has the honor of performing with Banquet in South Africa in November 2006. gospel legends Bebe Winans and . e singers are guests on NBC’s Today Show as In New Orleans, the singers record a track with well as on Late Night with Conan O’Brien . rock legend , which is included on a Fats Domino tribute album, with proceeds e choir also makes guest appearances on e benefiting the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tonight Show with Jay Leno . A London performance of “Weeping,” with Josh In December 2006 the group performs at Sun Groban and Vusi Mahlasela, is featured on Gro - City, South Africa, for Oprah Winfrey and 200 ban’s latest album, Collection . of her VIP guests, including , Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Sydney e choir tours the world extensively, perform - Poitier, and Quincy Jones ing at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Nelson Mandela eatre, and Royal Festival Hall in London. 2007–08 e choir performs at high-profile festivals such On February 11, 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir as the Edinburgh Festival, the Adelaide Festival, receives a Grammy Award for its second CD, the Hong Kong Festival, and the London Blessed , in the Best Traditional World Music Festival, always to huge acclaim. category. Soweto Gospel Choir receives its third Grammy At the same time, the choir is nominated for nomination in December 2008, this time in the honors at the 26th International Reggae and Best Contemporary World Music category, for , held at the Apollo Live at the Nelson Mandela eatre. eater, Harlem, on May 5, in the Contribu - e song “Down To Earth” from the block - tion to World Music category, alongside Jimmy buster Wall-E movie, the group’s collaboration Cliff, Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour, and Ziggy with , wins a Grammy in the Best Marley. Movie Song category. In May 2007 the choir wins a SAMA (South In February 2009, the singers become the first African Music Association) Award in the Best South African artists to perform at the Academy Live Performance DVD category. Awards, when they sing “Down To Earth”, the In June 2007 the Soweto Gospel Choir is the Gabriel/Newman Oscar-nominated song, with warmup act for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at . concerts in Germany. In November 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir wins 2009–10 a Metro FM Music Award for Best Gospel Album for African Spirit , based on nominations In March 2009, the artists are nominated for submitted by the radio station’s listeners, and three SAMAs for their Live at the Nelson Man - the public. dela eatre CD and DVD, winning the award for Best Duo or Group.

 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

In May 2009, the choir is invited to perform 2011–12 at the inauguration of South Africa’s From May to July 2011 members of the choir president. tour Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, winning In November, members of the Soweto Gospel rave reviews, while others perform in Guade - Choir are flown to Los Angeles to take part in loupe, French Caribbean. a major Pepsi advertising campaign, alongside In July 2011 18 choir members perform in Akon and Keri Hilson. Maastricht, Holland, with classical violinist e choir is one of three featured African Andre Rieu. ey join the Harlem Gospel groups featured at the FIFA World Cup Draw Choir on stage for a first-time collaboration. held in in December 2009. Soweto Gospel Choir joins Archbishop In April 2010 Soweto Gospel Choir is honored Des mond Tutu and his guests for the arch - with the inaugural International Achievement bishop’s birthday celebration, held in Cape Town Award at the South African Music Awards held in October 2011. ey perform at the launch in Sun City. of Tutu’s new book, and back on “I Still Also in April, the choir is invited to perform at Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as a sur - the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Trade prise for the archbishop. ey also sing with Expo, held in Shanghai, as the African repre - other artists at both the cathedral service and at sentative. the private luncheon for their patron. e choir collaborates with , as the featured e choir performs with leading South African South African artists, on the songs “Streets artists at the ANC Centenary Celebrations in Have No Name,” “Magnificent,” and “Boots” for Bloemfontein in January 2012. ESPN’s promotional campaign for the 2010 In June 2012 Soweto Gospel Choir is invited Football World Cup. e campaign pays divi - by South African sensation Zahara to perform dends as, along with ESPN and U2, Soweto with her and special guest Leroy Bell as part of Gospel Choir receives a Sports Emmy Award as two sold-out concerts that are filmed for Za - winners in the Outstanding Music Composi- hara’s forthcoming DVD. tion/Direction/Lyrics category in May 2011. In 2012 the choir performs in South Africa e choir is also featured in several prestigious with Andre Rieu and . magazines and books, including in Time In December Soweto Gospel Choir is nomi - magazine and in Andrew Zuckerman’s Music , nated for its second Kora (All-Africa) Award. alongside such music heavyweights as Russell Simmons, Herbie Hancock, Ozzy Osborne, John Legend, and Mark Knopfler. 2013–14 e group performs at the FIFA World Cup In March 2013, the choir’s fih album, Soweto Kick-Off Concert in Soweto, the night before Gospel Choir & Friends – Divine Decade , is the opening of the World Cup in June, with an released as a celebration of the choir’s 10th an - international and African line-up including the niversary. e group is joined on the album by Black-Eyed Peas, Shakira, Angelique Kidjo, and guest artists including local icons Zahara, e John Legend. Soil, HHP, Elvis Blue, Corlea, Yvonne Chaka In December 2010 Soweto Gospel Choir wins Chaka with , and its fourth Grammy nomination, in the Best Johnny Clegg, as well as international artists Traditional World Music category, for its album Joepraize from , Eric Wainaina from Grace . e choir is featured alongside the Lon - , Paul Ruske from New Zealand, Robert don Philharmonic Orchestra in the song “Baba Plant, and U2. Yetu” and on the album Calling All Dawns , both Also in March, the choir returns to Australia of which win Grammys in February 2011. and New Zealand to perform at WOMAD, cul -

B PLAYBILL ABOUT THE ARTISTS minating in a sold-out concert at the Sydney In December 2014 the choir ends an exciting Opera House. year by performing at the homecoming wel - In May 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir is nomi - come ceremony for the newly crowned Miss nated for a SAMA in the Best Collaboration World, South Africa’s Rolene Strauss. category for its collaboration with Zahara on the song “Bambelele.” 2015–16 Later that month, the choir travels to Addis e choir launches 2015 with a performance Ababa to perform at the African Union’s at the Glo-CAF Awards in , Nigeria, on 50th Celebrations, along with guest artists Papa January 8. ese are Africa’s premier awards Wemba, Salif Keita, and Judith Sephuma. and for the event, the choir collaborates with In July, they perform for the first time, and to top artists from the continent, including Hugh rave reviews, at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Masekela, with the concert broadcast to mil - In October 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir is nomi - lions around the world. nated for a Crown Gospel Award in the Best In April, Soweto Gospel Choir male members Gospel Group category. record with this year’s Grammy Award-winning In December 2013, Soweto Gospel Choir teams flutist, Wouter Kellerman, in a memorable ren - with Woolworths for a Youtube video tribute to dition of Vivaldi’s “Winter.” Nelson Mandela, as part of a flash-mob event, In July, the group collaborates with Peter with the song “.” e film clip Gabriel in a UN Global Goals media campaign goes viral and receives over three million hits and on a track on Gabriel’s forthcoming album. during its first week of release. To date, the clip In September the choir performs for and with has received over five million hits; the choir’s during his tour of South Youtube version of “Amazing Grace” has re - Africa as an ambassador for Wool worths’ “Are ceived over nine million hits. You With Us” social development campaign. In February 2014 the choir performs with In December choir members sing for Prince President Bill Clinton and Morgan Freeman at Harry and distinguished guests including Graca the Nelson Mandela Tribute event in New York, Machel, and the US Ambas - a fundraiser for the Nelson Mandela Centre of sador at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, at Memory. an event to honor Madiba and his legacy, dur - Soweto Gospel Choir is invited to perform at ing Prince Harry’s visit to South Africa. the Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela at In April 2016, SGC performs for Ambassador Westminster Abbey on March 3. At this historic Andrew Young and the Mayor of Atlanta at occasion, the service was attended by notables the Nelson Mandela Foundation, honoring the including Archbishop Tutu, Prime Minister ambassador’s contribution to the ending of the David Cameron, Prince Harry, e Lord Mayor apartheid era. of London, the Mandela family, and many others. In May, the choir wins the award for Best Gospel Group at the Inaugural Tower Music In April 2014, the choir is nominated for its Africa Gospel Awards. sixth South African Music Award (SAMA) in the Best Contemporary Faith Album category. In July, the choir is featured as a special guest e group performed at the SAMAs with for Johnny Clegg concerts at Montecasino, Rebecca Malope and Judith Sephuma. performing with Coegg and artists Ross Lear - month, Francois Van Coke, and Sipho Mabuse. In September 2014, members of the choir per - form with the London African Gospel Choir, in In the same month, members are invited to front of 13,000 people at a corporate event at honor racing icon Gugu Zulu at his Memorial the O2 arena in London. Service at Kyalami Race Track.

 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

In October, the choir performs as the opening 2018 act with Nigerian hit maker Korede Bello, as In January, the choir receives a nomination well as with African superstar at the for the Ubuntu Arts and Cultural Diplomacy 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards. Award (Youth) alongside celebrity chef Siba Mtongana and fashion designer Laduma Ngxo- In November, one group from the choir per - kolo. is award, a DIRCO initiative, is for an forms as a special guest artist at the 2016 All individual or organization that has promoted Africa Music Awards in Lagos, while another a positive image of South Africa globally. Nomi- group performs at the EU 2016 World Forum for nees in the Veterans Award category were Democracy’s opening ceremony in Strasbourg. Johnny Clegg, John Kani, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

2017 On April 11, the Soweto Gospel Choir is hon - Soweto Gospel Choir’s recording of “Amazing ored to sing at the memorial service for Win - Grace” is included in the critically acclaimed nie Madikizela-Mandela at the FNB Stadium. South African movie Beyond the River , released e choir has been a favorite of the Mandela in April 2017. family since its formation and this is an upli - ing opportunity to grieve for and pay tribute to e choir performs 11 concerts as guests on this much-loved woman. Johnny Clegg’s 2017 Farewell Tour, alongside other artists who have been part of Clegg’s At the end of April, the choir enjoys a totally dif - 30-year career. ey also take part in a private ferent experience when the singers collaborate tribute honoring this much-lauded musician. with three-time Grammy winner at his sold-out concert at the Dome. In November 2017 the singers are invited to col - is unexpected partnership results in over laborate with the final five contestants of South 1,000 rave reviews on social media. Africa Idols 13 . e response to the choir’s per - formance is so great that the musicians are In May 2018 the choir records its new album, invited for a return performance with the two Freedom , featuring Struggle songs, a tribute to finalists at the Carnival City finale. the life of Nelson Mandela.

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B PLAYBILL