New CD “Incredible” released 8th November

Live at the Royal Festival Hall on
Friday 19th November
(with Harlem Gospel Choir)
as part of the London Jazz Festival

Band leader, Clyde Wright, (GGQ member since 1954) is available for interview.

GOLDEN GATE QUARTET is a truly legendary group with a history that encompasses their debut recording session in 1937 when they laid down 14 tracks in under 2 hours, coming to the attention of John Hammond (the man who ‘discovered’ Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holliday et al) who then booked them for their Carnegie Hall debut in 1939 under Hammond’s “From Spirituals To Swing” banner, sang at the inauguration ceremony of Franklin D. Roosevelt – the first time a black group is “authourised” to sing in the Constitution Hall – appeared at the White House in front of guests including Charlie Chaplin, made Hollywood appearances alongside Louis Armstrong, worked with Duke Ellington, had a young Elvis Presley as a fan (as he remained throughout his life), first toured England in ‘56, toured Belgium and France with Jacques Brel and, along the way, released the likes of “Stalin Wasn’t Stallin”, “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, “Wade in the Water”, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen” and “Sometimes I feel like a Motherless child”. That’s what I call a backstory.

Their leader Clyde Wright has been a member of the Golden Gate Quartet for 56 years, and he stresses that theirs is a mighty tradition, handed down through the families of the original members, yet staying relevant and open to new expressions of Afro-American music.

The new CD “Incredible” is made up of mainly brand new songs adhering to Gospel’s first principles. Mostly they’re the work of sprightly 82 year old Clyde and there’s also their version of “Oh Happy Day” best known as a 1967 pop hit by Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Clyde Wright, leader, tenor (since 1954) Clyde Wright is available for interview.
Frank Davis, tenor (since 1995)
Paul Brembly, baritone (since 1971)
Anthony Gordon, bass (since 2006)

Royal Festival Hall
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX
7.30 pm
Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10 + bkg
0844 875 0073 / www.southbankcentre.co.uk