The London African Gospel Choir was established with the aim of creating a platform of excellence for African creative arts in the UK and the diaspora African using music as it’s principal medium. The choir has grown without the support of public funding or donations and has developed excellent relations with promoters and venues to generate income through performances.

In the wake of Graceland’s 30th anniversary, Camden’s Jazz Café commissioned the London African Gospel Choir to perform the album in its entirety for one night only.

Tickets sold out within hours and so five more nights were added and they all sold out as well, confirming the enduring appeal of Paul Simon’s masterpiece, and also the growing excitement generated by the Choir’s string of notable stage and television appearances – some of them shared with stars like Emile Sande, Mumford & Sons, Tom Jones and the Soweto Gospel Choir, with whom they made a triumphant appearance at London’s 02 Arena, singing in front of 17,000 people. Annie Lennox had invited them to perform at a number of prestigious events, including the MIT Awards.

They’d also worked with actor/director Idris Elba, star of Mandela: Long Road to Freedom who recruited them for an album celebrating South African music, recorded in tribute to Nelson Mandela.

The Choir has featured South African singers and dancers since its inception, and already had songs from there in its repertoire before the Jazz Café came calling. They refer to the Graceland project as “a Godsend.” It was an opportunity for their collective talents to shine and they spent weeks learning the songs, perfecting the dance moves and putting a sparkle into their performances that’s moved many onlookers to tears. “People have wept for joy after seeing it,” says Crystal.