“Infectious US pop on a bed of southern African grooves, sung with all the power and joy of a gospel choir.” - Songlines
The London African Gospel Choir was co-founded by Crystal Kassi to help London’s African community to promote the gospel, create a platform of excellence for African gospel singers and musicians, and popularise the African interpretations of gospel music. Today they announce a full UK tour performing the classic Paul Simon album ‘Graceland’ in full live on stage.
The London African Gospel Choir have received extremely positive testimony from not only the public but also internationally renowned artists including Annie Lennox of Eurythmics and Paul Simon himself.
As well as performing with artists such as Emeli Sandé and Mumford and Sons, the group tour their own exceptional rendition of the iconic Paul Simon’s Graceland across the UK and most recently selling out shows on the East Coast of the States where they made a powerful impact on the public.
"What makes us different is that we all come from different countries in the African Diaspora," she explains. "We have people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Zaire, Ivory Coast, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Uganda and the Congo... We all come from different churches as well. The common denominator is our faith, although we welcome everybody." Said Kassi.” You could say that this is a perpetuation of Paul Simon’s Graceland legacy, the way it has brought African nations together through culture.”
What also sets them apart is their repertoire - a dazzling reflection of the choir's diverse membership and that includes secular songs with a positive message. It's the meaning of the words that counts and Paul Simon's Graceland - acclaimed as "one of the most iconic records in rock and roll history" on its release in 1986 - is a perfect fit with its uplifting lyrics and South African rhythms and melodies.
What the people say: “What a life enhancing evening!”, “The most uplifting, energising evening I’ve had in years”, “So many great songs so beautifully performed with so much energy and so many happy smiles”, “It should be prescribed on the NHS”.
