By Melanie Henderson
*Before you read on, it’s probably good to know now that this blog will always be containing a high volume of articles surrounding gospel music in Argentina. Gospel music is no stranger to this country. Well, at least for about 500 Argentines. Whilst still relatively small and very small in comparison to the States and other countries around the world, gospel music is a growing genre, ever-expanding its identity in the Rio de la Plata area.
Where Afro-infused genres like Candome are popular, more-and-more singing groups are swaying across to gospel, due to its spiritual power and musical magnificence. The first ever Argentine gospel festival took place in Buenos Aires on the 5th April (sorry this post is a little late) to outstanding success. Franco Gandullo is the man who masterminded the idea, a gospel music and arts producer from Cordoba, who’s been working in the industry since it began. Aside from organising a vast range of gospel music activities, Gandullo is also the producer of his own choir, “Argentina Gospel Choir.”
Due to the amount of groups wanting to participate in this spectacular event, Gandullo organised the festival into two separate shows, in order for each choir or vocal group to be able to show their stuff without having to rush.
The roots of gospel music in Argentina
Gospel music started in Cordoba City about thirteen years ago, when rock singer Paula Carrevedo and a group of friends started exploring the realms of gospel music. The first ever Argentine gospel group was called “Splash Gospel” and as Carrevedo described, “it was very experimental.” From there, the first official group to start moving was the “Cordoba Gospel Choir” which eventually became the “Cordoba Gospel Singers,” directed by Gerardo Flores and produced by Gandullo. From there, Gandullo moved to Buenos Aires in 2007 and formed the first large gospel choir in the capital: “El Coro Gospel de Argentina.” Since the choir closed in 2011, many many groups have opened.
The festival
From large choirs to small vocal groups and soloists, the festival offered a great variety of gospel styles, from negro spirituals to modern gospel. Gospel is a bit of a funny bunny in Argentina. Where in the States it is quite clearly a strictly religious genre, here the religious aspect is a little more lax. There are some groups that dedicate themselves to gospel for shows and don’t press the God factor and others that are very spiritually conscious.
A very kind and keen audience member, Alcides Verone, happened to capture the entire festival on camera, so here are all the videos, for your viewing and listening pleasure.
Barbershop Choir
Minadar Gospel Choir
Buenos Aires Gospel Soul
Gospel In The Street
Afro American Music Gospel Choir
Coro Gospel Joy
UNTD Gospel Choir
The Boulevard Gospel Singers
AfroSound Choir
Southern Vocal Band
Argentina Gospel Choir
Soloists: Paula Morel, Caterina Finocchi, Laura Sabrina La Paz, Melanie Henderson
Yes, there are a lot of videos. Hehe. From five pm to after ten, gospel from across the board was enjoyed by a full house of spectators. Elegantly presented by Argentine actors Berenice Gandullo and Mauro Alvarez, the show was an awesome success and just the beginning of great things to come.
If you are interested in gospel music in Argentina, check out Gandullo’s sites for more information: –
https://www.facebook.com/gospelenargentina
http://www.gospelenargentina.com.ar
Stay tuned to Argentine Arts for more gospel updates.
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