FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Show Publicist: Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org
Other Contact: Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org
Images available: TrustArts.org/Press
Search: Soweto Gospel
PITTSBURGH, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, will perform at the Byham Theater on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($20-$45), visit, www.TrustArts.org, call 412- 456-6666, or in person Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. In February of this year, Soweto Gospel Choir will launch their fifth major North American tour. Visiting over 30 cities across the U.S. during the upcoming three months, Soweto Gospel Choir’s concerts will celebrate their musical heritage that reflects the color and vibrancy of their rainbow nation and honor the life and legacy of their late President and friend, Nelson Mandela.
Soweto Gospel Choir is managed under the guidance of Executive Producer and Director Beverly Bryer and Company Manager Jimmy Mashudu Mulovhedzi. Since its formation in 2002, Soweto Gospel Choir has captivated audiences around the globe with their glorious harmonies and uniquely blended voices and is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music. Soweto Gospel Choir is also committed to philanthropic work. In 2003, the group founded its own AIDS orphan foundation, Nkosi’s Haven Vukani. Soweto Gospel Choir has received numerous accolades and awards from around the globe. “These absolutely thrilling singers need nothing but their voices to make dazzling music.” – Billboard
The two-time Grammy Award-winning Choir releases their fifth album, Divine Decade (Decca, 1/28/14), a celebration of the ensemble’s past ten years of artistic collaborations and accolades. The result of these magnetic musical partnerships is a recording which showcases the wonderful diversity of the group’s style as a gospel choir that sings across all genres of music. Opening with an address from the Choir’s Patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Divine Decade features collaborations with a wide range of guest artists that exhibit the Choir’s breadth of repertoire, including: U2, Robert Plant, The Soil, Joepraize, Zahara, Elvis Blue, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Solly Mahlangu, Corlea Botha, Eric Wainaina, Johnny Clegg, Paul Ruske, and HHP. Amongst the featured tracks include the choir’s popular hits such as “Sedilaka,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” and the Fish Out of Water remix of “Put On Your Boots,” their collaboration with U2.
After more than a decade of making music, the Soweto Gospel Choir continues singing traditional African spirituals for new audiences and plans to do so for many generations to come. “Sheer jubilation … earthy and unrestrained … The Rhythm of Life.” –Herald Sun “Meticulous and unstoppable… spirited and spectacular.” –The New York Times
Beverly Bryer has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 25 years, working with some of South Africa's premier recording artists before moving on to become Managing Director of one of the country's most successful music publishing companies. In August 2002 Beverly formed her own company, Eventsco, and was approached by Australian producers/promoters Andrew Kay, Clifford Hocking and David Vigo, to form an African gospel choir, now known as the Soweto Gospel Choir. Her position as Executive Producer/Director incorporates the producing, directing, management, marketing and publicizing of the choir in South Africa in association with the Australian producers.
Jimmy Mashudu Mulovhedzi was born and raised in Soweto South Africa. He is the son of Soweto Gospel Choir's co-founder, the late David Mulovhedzi. Jimmy started singing in his father's church choir, the Holy Jerusalem Choir at age 13. Under his father's guidance, he has become a song writer, arranger, producer and choreographer. Jimmy has collaborated with many artists and songwriters including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Benjamin Dube, the late American Gospel icon Rev. James Cleveland, and The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Since 2009, Mulovhedzi has been the choir’s company manager, following in his father’s legacy. Apart from music Jimmy is a qualified, I.T. administrator, Industrial Psychologist and a certified HIV/AIDS Counselor. He is also the director of Edzimkulu, a non-government organization which runs a successful AIDS project in South Africa. He is dedicated to making a change in his community. For more information visit, www.sowetogospelchoir.com
Soweto Gospel Choir
2014 North American Tour
2/4 Gainesville, FL - The Phillips Center, University of Florida
2/5 Miami, FL - Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht Center
2/7 Jacksonville Beach, FL - St. Pauls by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
2/8 Atlanta, GA - Rialto Center for the Arts, Georgia State University
2/9 Greenville, SC - Peace Center for the Performing Arts
2/11 Morgantown, WV - Creative Arts Center
2/12 Washington, DC - Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University
2/14 Great Barrington, MA - Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
2/15 Bronx, NY - Lehman Center for the Performing Arts
2/16 Philadelphia, PA - Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania
2/19 Chicago, IL - Symphony Center
2/21 Toronto, ON - The Sony Center
2/22 Rochester, NY - Callahan Theatre, Nazareth College
2/23 Binghamton, NY - Anderson Center for the Performing Arts, SUNY
2/26 Akron, OH - E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron
2/27 Pittsburgh, PA - Byham Theater
2/28 North Tonawanda, NY - Riviera Theatre
3/6 Fayetteville, AR - Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center
3/8 Rochester, MN - Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall
3/9 Grand Rapids, MN - Myles Reif Performing Arts Center
3/12 Dubuque, IA - Heritage Performing Arts Center, University of Dubuque
3/14 St. Joseph, MN - Escher Auditorium at College of St. Benedict
3/16 Louisville, KY - The Brown Theatre, Kentucky Center Performing Arts
3/23 Austin, TX - Bass Hall, University of Texas
3/25 Lincoln, NE - Lied Center for the Performing Arts
3/27 Omaha, NE - Kiewit Concert Hall, Holland Performing Arts Center
3/28 North Newton, KS - Memorial Hall, Bethel College
3/29 Lawrence, KS - Lied Center of Kansas
3/30 Manhattan, KS - McCain Auditorium, Kansas State University
4/1 Oklahoma City, OK - Owen Theater, Oklahoma City Community College
4/4 Albuquerque, NM - Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico
4/8 Arcata, CA - John Van Duzer Theatre, Humboldt State University
4/12 Seattle, WA - Meany Hall, University of Washington
4/13 Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
4/16 La Jolla, CA - Price Center, University of California, San Diego
4/18 Tucson, AZ - Centennial Hall, University of Arizona
4/19 Scottsdale, AZ - Virginia G. Piper Theater
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
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Media Contacts:
Show Publicist: Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org
Other Contact: Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org
Images available: TrustArts.org/Press
Search: Soweto Gospel
SOUTH AFRICAN MULTI-NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
CELEBRATES THEIR MUSICAL HERITAGE AND
HONORS THE LIFE OF NELSON MANDELA
Thursday, February 27, 2014│ 7:30 p.m. │Byham Theater
PITTSBURGH, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, will perform at the Byham Theater on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($20-$45), visit, www.TrustArts.org, call 412- 456-6666, or in person Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. In February of this year, Soweto Gospel Choir will launch their fifth major North American tour. Visiting over 30 cities across the U.S. during the upcoming three months, Soweto Gospel Choir’s concerts will celebrate their musical heritage that reflects the color and vibrancy of their rainbow nation and honor the life and legacy of their late President and friend, Nelson Mandela.
Soweto Gospel Choir is managed under the guidance of Executive Producer and Director Beverly Bryer and Company Manager Jimmy Mashudu Mulovhedzi. Since its formation in 2002, Soweto Gospel Choir has captivated audiences around the globe with their glorious harmonies and uniquely blended voices and is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music. Soweto Gospel Choir is also committed to philanthropic work. In 2003, the group founded its own AIDS orphan foundation, Nkosi’s Haven Vukani. Soweto Gospel Choir has received numerous accolades and awards from around the globe. “These absolutely thrilling singers need nothing but their voices to make dazzling music.” – Billboard
The two-time Grammy Award-winning Choir releases their fifth album, Divine Decade (Decca, 1/28/14), a celebration of the ensemble’s past ten years of artistic collaborations and accolades. The result of these magnetic musical partnerships is a recording which showcases the wonderful diversity of the group’s style as a gospel choir that sings across all genres of music. Opening with an address from the Choir’s Patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Divine Decade features collaborations with a wide range of guest artists that exhibit the Choir’s breadth of repertoire, including: U2, Robert Plant, The Soil, Joepraize, Zahara, Elvis Blue, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Solly Mahlangu, Corlea Botha, Eric Wainaina, Johnny Clegg, Paul Ruske, and HHP. Amongst the featured tracks include the choir’s popular hits such as “Sedilaka,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” and the Fish Out of Water remix of “Put On Your Boots,” their collaboration with U2.
After more than a decade of making music, the Soweto Gospel Choir continues singing traditional African spirituals for new audiences and plans to do so for many generations to come. “Sheer jubilation … earthy and unrestrained … The Rhythm of Life.” –Herald Sun “Meticulous and unstoppable… spirited and spectacular.” –The New York Times
Beverly Bryer has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 25 years, working with some of South Africa's premier recording artists before moving on to become Managing Director of one of the country's most successful music publishing companies. In August 2002 Beverly formed her own company, Eventsco, and was approached by Australian producers/promoters Andrew Kay, Clifford Hocking and David Vigo, to form an African gospel choir, now known as the Soweto Gospel Choir. Her position as Executive Producer/Director incorporates the producing, directing, management, marketing and publicizing of the choir in South Africa in association with the Australian producers.
Jimmy Mashudu Mulovhedzi was born and raised in Soweto South Africa. He is the son of Soweto Gospel Choir's co-founder, the late David Mulovhedzi. Jimmy started singing in his father's church choir, the Holy Jerusalem Choir at age 13. Under his father's guidance, he has become a song writer, arranger, producer and choreographer. Jimmy has collaborated with many artists and songwriters including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Benjamin Dube, the late American Gospel icon Rev. James Cleveland, and The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Since 2009, Mulovhedzi has been the choir’s company manager, following in his father’s legacy. Apart from music Jimmy is a qualified, I.T. administrator, Industrial Psychologist and a certified HIV/AIDS Counselor. He is also the director of Edzimkulu, a non-government organization which runs a successful AIDS project in South Africa. He is dedicated to making a change in his community. For more information visit, www.sowetogospelchoir.com
Soweto Gospel Choir
2014 North American Tour
2/4 Gainesville, FL - The Phillips Center, University of Florida
2/5 Miami, FL - Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht Center
2/7 Jacksonville Beach, FL - St. Pauls by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
2/8 Atlanta, GA - Rialto Center for the Arts, Georgia State University
2/9 Greenville, SC - Peace Center for the Performing Arts
2/11 Morgantown, WV - Creative Arts Center
2/12 Washington, DC - Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University
2/14 Great Barrington, MA - Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
2/15 Bronx, NY - Lehman Center for the Performing Arts
2/16 Philadelphia, PA - Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania
2/19 Chicago, IL - Symphony Center
2/21 Toronto, ON - The Sony Center
2/22 Rochester, NY - Callahan Theatre, Nazareth College
2/23 Binghamton, NY - Anderson Center for the Performing Arts, SUNY
2/26 Akron, OH - E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron
2/27 Pittsburgh, PA - Byham Theater
2/28 North Tonawanda, NY - Riviera Theatre
3/6 Fayetteville, AR - Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center
3/8 Rochester, MN - Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall
3/9 Grand Rapids, MN - Myles Reif Performing Arts Center
3/12 Dubuque, IA - Heritage Performing Arts Center, University of Dubuque
3/14 St. Joseph, MN - Escher Auditorium at College of St. Benedict
3/16 Louisville, KY - The Brown Theatre, Kentucky Center Performing Arts
3/23 Austin, TX - Bass Hall, University of Texas
3/25 Lincoln, NE - Lied Center for the Performing Arts
3/27 Omaha, NE - Kiewit Concert Hall, Holland Performing Arts Center
3/28 North Newton, KS - Memorial Hall, Bethel College
3/29 Lawrence, KS - Lied Center of Kansas
3/30 Manhattan, KS - McCain Auditorium, Kansas State University
4/1 Oklahoma City, OK - Owen Theater, Oklahoma City Community College
4/4 Albuquerque, NM - Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico
4/8 Arcata, CA - John Van Duzer Theatre, Humboldt State University
4/12 Seattle, WA - Meany Hall, University of Washington
4/13 Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
4/16 La Jolla, CA - Price Center, University of California, San Diego
4/18 Tucson, AZ - Centennial Hall, University of Arizona
4/19 Scottsdale, AZ - Virginia G. Piper Theater
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
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