Perpetuum Jazzile is a Slovenian musical group best known for an a cappella version of the rock band Toto's song Africa. The May 2009 video showing a live performance of this version had received close to 22 million views on YouTube in 2013[1] and several million since.
The group was founded in 1983 as Gaudeamus Chamber Choir and has always featured male and female singers. In 2025, there were 45 performers of whom 26 are female and 19 male.[2] The group occasionally performs with the Slovenian Radio and Television Big Band, though most performances are a cappella.
Leadership
The group was founded by Marko Tiran who led the Gaudeamus Choir for over 17 years. In 2001, the choir's art leadership was passed to Tomaž Kozlevčar. During his 10-year tenure, the group started performing under the new name and achieved international acclaim.[3] Peder Karlsson was the group's art leader from 2011 to 2014.[4] Currently, the group has a vocal coaching team, and the manager is Gvido Polanc. [5]
History
In 2006, the group recorded the album Čudna noč (Strange Night) which was released by Dallas Records. Group's performance of song Africa earned them high praise from song's original co-writer, David Paich[6] and Toto invited the group for a joint performance at a 2011 concert held near Udine, Italy.[7] In 2011, the choir embarked on a world tour which took them to Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Canada, and USA, where they performed to sold-out venues.
Every year in autumn, the group performs Vokal Xtravaganzza evening concerts at the Cankar Hall in Ljubljana, with guests from Slovenia and abroad. In the past, they have performed with local artists Alenka Godec, Alya, Oto Pestner, Jan Plestenjak, and Nuša Derenda, as well as with international groups Vocalica (Italy), The Real Group (Sweden), ManSound (Ukraine), BR6 (Brazil), and The Real Six Pack (Germany).
In May 2015, Slovenian duo Maraaya who represented Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song Here for You released a video of this song featuring Perpetuum Jazzile.[8] In June 2015, the group performed at the Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy, and at the Guangzhou Opera House in November that year.
Awards
In 2008, the group was awarded the Vokal Total Award at the International Choir Festival and International A Cappella Competition[9] and it also won awards at the international jazz vocal music competition in Tilburg, Netherlands, and the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. In 2010, the group was awarded the "Viktor Award", a top level music award in Slovenia.
Discography
- Ko boš prišla na Bled (When You Come to Bled) (2000) COBISS 12747068
- Pozabi, da se ti mudi (Forget You're In a Hurry) (2003) COBISS 13669180
- As (2004)
- Čudna noč (Strange night) (2006) COBISS 14396732
- Africa (2009)
- Perpetuum Jazzile Live [Vokal Xtravaganzza 2008 - DVD] (2009)
- Vocal Ecstasy (German Tour Edition - CD) (2012)
- Vocal Ecstasy (German Tour Edition Superbox - CD+DVD) (2012)
- Thank You For The Music (30th Anniversary Jubilee Edition - CD') (2013)
- The Show, Live in Arena (CD & DVD) (2013)
- Both Sides (Double Album - CD) (2016)
- Both Sides (Vinyl) (2017)
- So najlepše pesmi že napisane? (CD compilation in Slovenian language.) (2018)
- Smells Like... (CD) (2023)
References
- ^ Glasba za dobro jutro. Delo, 7 August 2013.
- ^ "THE GROUP". www.perpetuumjazzile.si › enPerpetuum Jazzile. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ^ Tomaž Kozlevčar zapušča Perpetuum Jazzile, Delo, 1 January 2011.
- ^ Peder Karlsson, novi vodja zbora Perpetuum Jazzile, RTV Slovenia, 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Perpetuum Jazzile". Perpetuum Jazzile. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ^ Perpetuum Jazzile Website, July 7, 2009.
- ^ Perpetuum Jazzile na odru s Toto, 1 August 2012.
- ^ Maraaya in Vienna, 10 May 2015.
- ^ Vokal Total 2008, June 3, 2008.
Bibliography
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