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English tenor vocalist Brian Rodford's brand new collaboration with the Livingstone High School choir of Cape Town, South Africa and a trio of South African percussionists on the rollicking holiday tune "African Christmas" is the singer's most exciting release to date. This fantastic recording is a 4-track EP that also features the song sung in the native African languages of Zulu and Xhosa, plus a karaoke version of this hook-laden tune.
Rodford appears to be at the pinnacle of his singing career with this release, which follow up his impressive debut album "Sometimes a Story" and the original recording of "Afrcan Christmas," both of which were released in November 2005. The addition of the joyous voices of the children's choir and the vibrant sounds of authentic African marimbas and drums breathe new life into Rodford's brilliant composition.
The percussion team on "African Christmas," which includes Thamsanqa Swaarbooi, Vuyo Katsha, and Jerome Ftengile on marimbas, and Zwai Mvimbi on drums, add melodic rhythms that really give this song a new flavor and the children's choir rounds out the sound by adding some beautiful supporting vocals. For much more on the new "African Christmas," including sound clips, visit the discography page by clicking on the link above.
On 2005's "Sometimes a Story," Rodford draws on a spectacular spectrum of emotions as his gentle yet sweeping voice travels an epic journey of the heart. Listener’s spirits will be lifted by the hopeful optimism that pours from his soulful voice on each song on this album, which he wrote the lyrics for and composed. Songs like "I Must Go," "Gently Remember," "Fly Away" and the title track "Sometimes a Story" offer a profound message of hope and faith and a comforting voice that ease the harsh reality of a difficult world.
His soaring voice is backed by a perfect instrumental arrangement, which was done by longtime friend and collaborator, international film composer Guy Dagul. The melodies and rhythms almost seem to cling to Rodford’s majestic vocals only to be taken along for the ride. Some of these songs carry such an aura of promise and wonder that they feel destined to become popular folk songs that will carry on for years to come.
These recordings mark the apex of his singing career to date, but there's no limit as to where his stirring voice could take him from here. Its been a long road to this point - he began his singing career at quite an early age, starting out in youth choirs in school while growing up in St. Albans, England, and quickly moving on to performances on Danish radio and German television as a tenor soloist with the St. Albans and District Youth Choirs. An ordained Anglican priest, he is also a church organist and worked as one during that period. He started singing lessons in 1974 under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed Lieder singer Kathleen Joyce and continued to work with her into the 1980s. With her guidance, he became a medallist and cup winner at eisteddfods and festivals in England and Wales with his lyrical tenor.
He has performed as a guest soloist at the University of Oxford, Jaqueline Du Près Concert Hall, and at London’s Cafe Royal and also sang regularly as a guest with the prestigious Treharris Male Voice Choir and performed in "The Messiah" all around London. Rodford was ordained to the deaconate by The Rev. Robert Runcie, Bishop of St. Albans (who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1979 and became a priest the following year. He was also a member of the St. Albans Chamber Choir and sang semi-professionally as a solo tenor.
Rodford’s spirituality comes through strongly on all his recordings, and "Sometimes A Story" is no exception. He also recently composed several new pieces of spiritual music including "A Responsorial Setting of the Mass," "O Word of God," "O Guide Us Holy Spirit," all published by JPMC Books Inc.
While composing, writing poems, and performing remains Rodford’s passion, he has dedicated much of his energy to helping those in need. In 1995, he became Vicar at St. Matthew’s in the Diocese of London, an assignment that led him to work in Uganda for children orphaned because of AIDS and HIV. For his work, he became the Director of the Chain Foundation Uganda charity and was made a Canon of All Saints Cathedral in Kampala. He is currently on church assignment in Cape Town, South Africa but his volunteer work has taken him between Cape Town, London, and Kampala, Uganda for the past three years.
Guy Dagul, the arranger on "Sometimes a Story" and the original "African Christmas" recordings, is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University with two music degrees. He has worked as a concert pianist and as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician in all of the United Kingdom’s leading concert halls. He is also one of Europe’s most accomplished film and television music composers.
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