Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir
The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir under the direction of Prof. Trevor W. Payne, has, in the past decade evolved into what is now considered to be one of the world's finest choirs.
It was in 1982 that Prof. Trevor W. Payne, a native of Barbados, started, with Daisy Peterson Sweeney (sister of Oscar Peterson), what is now the MJGC. It was to be a one-time event: the choir was to perform as part of the 75th Anniversary of Union United Church in Montreal. The concert featured guests Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee et Charlie Biddle. The concert was a smash, and the group, needless to say, hasn't stopped singing!
The choir's first record, Highway to Heaven, was recorded live and released in 1986 by Justin Time Records.. Licensed in Europe to Enja Records, it has sold 60,000 copies in Europe alone. In the same year the choir was awarded the "Outstanding Recording Artist Award" from the Association of Gospel Music Ministries.
The choir's sophomore album, Jubilation ll, released in 1988 to unanimous acclaim, marked it's first Juno Award nomination, and the choir supported that record by touring in Germany, in the U.S. and throughout Canada. The third recording, Jubilation lll - Glory Train, (1990) was the choir's first studio recording and was the first of its three records to be released in the U.S. In the same year, the MJGC was asked, along with the Bulgarian Women's Chorus (of "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares" fame) to contribute one track to the three-CD box set, Voices, an award-winning compilation of the world's best choral music.
The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir has performed for various heads of state, including Nelson Mandela during his 1989 visit to Canada, and Queen Elizabeth II. They have performed with, among others, Céline Dion, Foreigner, New Kids on the Block, Michael Bolton and Ray Charles.
The choir entered the studio in April, 1992, to start work on what was to become the A Cappella recording, Jubilation IV, which was released in November of that year, to coincide with their seven-city tour of Germany. While there, the choir took part in the recording of Klaus König's oratorio, The Song of Songs, which was also performed live in several cities, including Berlin. This work is scored for two solo voices, gospel choir and jazz orchestra, and the compact disc of this great work was released in Canada by Justin Time in June of 1993.
The choir's JUNO award recording, Jubilation V - Joy to the World, was originally intended to be a Christmas record, but it is definitely one which can be enjoyed all year round. It features such tracks as "Geographical Fugue for Speaking Chorus" and their version of "Amazing Grace" proved the choir to be at the top of its power. Indeed, as Canada's music business trade, The Record, stated in their review, "The Choir has now moved well beyond their original black roots." This is, in fact, more of a choral "world music" album. This recording was awarded a Juno Award for 'Best Blues/Gospel Album' in 1995.
Jubilation Vl - Looking Back released November, 1996 is a comprehensive musical portrait, spanning the choir's 20 year history, from 1974, when they were known as the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir, right up to their release, Joy to the World. It was painstakingly re-mastered, and features previously unavailable studio alternate versions, in addition to rousing live tracks. The 44-page booklet that accompanies this special 2-CD package features liner notes in English, French, Italian and German (the choir's recordings are distributed internationally).
Jubilation Vll - Hamba Ekhaya - Goin' Home (1997) represents the culmination of a long-standing dream for Trevor Payne, begun 15 years ago at Union United Church in Saint-Henri. Today he has brought the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir full circle, taking the Lord's blessing and the indestructible beat of Saint-Henri home to Africa, and into our hearts.
Jubilation Music Productions Inc.
P.O. Box 562
Beaconsfield, QC, Canada H9W 5V2
e-mail address
http://www.jubilationchoir.com
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