GET TO KNOW ABOUT JOYOUS CELEBRATION CHOIR (JC) .

Joyous Celebration was founded in 1996 by  Lindelani Mkhize , Pastor Jabu Hlongwane and  Pastor Mthunzi Namba.The Joyous concept has always been enigmatic to a lot of people because of its format. They have been referred to as a Gospel group or Gospel Choir.They prefer to be referred to as a Gospel Project or a Gospel Concept. The reason being that, is because the crew changes at least every two years. The concept is basically created in such a way that performers are selected through an intense auditioning process, after which they attend music workshops. During these workshops they learn skills such as songwriting to performance. We then rehearse a repertoire for about two months. After that the crew is on the road for the whole year. Performers always sign a 1 year contract to be in the Project, although there will be some performers that will be with Joyous celebration for more than a year.

FOUNDERS

 1. JABU HLONGWANE


The name Jabu Hlongwane has become synonymous with Joyous Celebration,the multi- award winner Gospel music project that has been at the forefront of Gospel music in South Africa for the past eleven years. As a co founder, singer, songwriter, producer of Joyous as the project is known. The project has produced eleven live cd s and dvd s over the years.
This multi-talented singer has a very successful solo career that spans more than fifteen years. Over the years he has recorded seven solo albums, the seventh one being a live dvd and cd recording. Besides his own albums, Jabu has produced and co produced a total of eighteen Gospel albums. He has also recorded and performed the "Constitution Song" in Parliament ( RSA)when the new South African Constitution was launched.
After graduating as a Communication Science Major ,Jabu taught English at High school for three years before getting an offer to teach at College. He dabbled between being a lecturer at a College and being in the music Ministry for nine years,Jabu finally went into the music Ministry full time in 1999.The impact of his Ministry is felt throughout the African Continent as he gets invitations to teach or/and sing in churches and conferences all over Africa.

2. LINDELANI MKHIZE


Durban born Lindelani Mkhize is synonymous with entertainment, talent scouting and business.

Many people have never seen him with without a hat or a cap, especially those that know him from the Joyous Celebration platform as the conductor of the choir.

It’s a long way from Durban where it all started where he was a drummer playing at church and in tent meetings in and around Durban in the 80 s. He later decided to move to Johannesburg to look for greener pastures and he worked with a number of established artists then. He learned the industry as he went along and later became a record label executive.

When Sony Entertainment started in started in South Africa, Lindelani was brought on board to establish the African Repertoire department. He was responsible for the signing of big names like Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo and the biggest Gospel Project in South Africa, Joyous Celebration (, a Project he started with Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba back in 1990 s) among others.

He later left Sony when the company merged with BMG to start his own label called LME, a company that that does broad based entertainment. His company signed such names as Lucas Senyatso, Ntokozo Mbambo among others.

This married father of three four girls studied music and after a stint as a teacher left KZN to pursue a career in the entertainment business. A move which proved rewarding.


Besides being co director of Joyous, Lindelani runs his businesses between Johannesburg and Durban.
3. PASTOR MTHUNZI NAMBA
 
Mthunzi is a Pastor, singer, songwriter, producer and born again father of two daughters. Married for seventeen years, this man of God has been at the forefront of the introduction of Contemporary Gospel Music in South Africa.Mthunzi graduated with a Degree in Music and a diploma in Education.

After having taught at College for couple of years, Mthunzi joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation. He stayed with them for two years.

He thereafter joined Lindelani at Sony Music South Africa as A and R manager and producer. He is responsible for the production of many of Sony s best artists including Hugh Masekela and Joyous Celebration.

It is him who established firmly the contemporary Gospel sound in South Africa. Mthunzi a founding member and co director of Joyous Celebration has finally succumbed to his calling and established a Church in Durban KZN.Those who have followed his music career especially on Joyous platform and his own solo album were not surprised by this move. He s always was the preacher musician.

Joyous Celebration has performed hit songs like My God is Good led by Uche , Itchokwadi and Tambira Jehova led by Mkhululi Bhebhe ,Wangilwela led by Ayanda Shange and nhlanhla Mwelase,  Hi Hanya Mahala Led by Mercy Ndlovu among other collections.
As of 2015 January, Joyous Celebration has released 19 albums, and the nineteenth ALbum dvd and cd is set to be released sometimes in April 2015. 
Watch one of the hit songs, Kuregerera in advance  in Joyous Celebration 19 in the link below.

 © joyous celebration