The Joyful Gospel Singers come to their 2019 European tour in a larger band called The Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir.

New Orleans and the Joyful Gospel Singers are two different ways of saying the same. The historical essence of the city, the 9th Ward, is where the members of JGS were born physically and professionally. Growing up in the 9th leaves a mark for life. That may be why wherever they go they bring with them the music of their city, their second line rhythm, their funky pulse, their R&B sound, everything that defines gospel from the Joyful and New Orleans, Louisiana.

They started their career in the mid-1990s. Their first CD, Take Me, Use Me, was recorded in 1995 with New Orleans emblematic label, Rampart Street Music, that also produced their latest release to date, 9th Ward Revival, songs shrouded in nostalgia that are dedicated to the world before Katrina.

The list of great artists JGS has worked with is very long and it includes some of the greatest like Yolanda Adams, Thelma Houston, Bryan Adams, Earth Wind & Fire, Kirk Franklin, New Orleans blues diva Marva Wright and the German pop band PUR.

The JGS do European summer and winter tours every year and they usually feature at gigs in Germany, Italy and Spain. They have sung at the Monterrey Jazz Festival and are a classic at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, in their native city. Also, they are usually present at one of the city’s specialities – the conventions held by major brands like Coca Cola, Starbucks, Microsoft, NBA, NCAA and the NFL.

Their repertoire includes their usual songs: Down by The Riverside, Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day, Stand by Me, This Little Light of Mine, The Old Rugged Cross and Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.