From Meghan & Harry To Red Bank: Kingdom Choir To Perform Locally

RED BANK, NJ — The Kingdom Choir, the London-based gospel choir that performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, will be performing at The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

The performance date is set for Sunday, March 12, 2023, and tickets will go on sale Friday, Dec. 16, according to a news release from the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

The Count Basie Center Gospel Choir, the organization’s all-community choir led by Choir Director Gwen Moten and Musical Director B. Dexter Allgood, also is on the bill.

Tickets, starting at $35, go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office at 99 Monmouth St., plus Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster phone charge at 800-745-3000.

Best known for its show-stopping performance of “Stand By Me” at the royal wedding, the Kingdom Choir has performed around the world.

The choir had its North American debut tour in 2019, which included a performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

Founded in 1994 by conductor Karen Gibson, the choir draws from various Christian traditions and is dedicated to creating a sound that reflects the community they share.

Gibson, proclaimed as Britain’s “Godmother of Gospel” by Britain's The Guardian newspaper, has been involved with vocal groups and choirs for over 30 years, conducting gospel workshops across the UK and Europe as well as Nigeria, Japan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and the USA, the news release said.

The Count Basie Center Gospel Choir, founded in 2020, was designed as a community initiative open to interested performers in New Jersey and surrounding areas.

The choir is led by director Moten, whose resume includes international presentations and appointments in Newark, the United Nations, the White House and elsewhere.

Since its inception, the choir has performed with Melba Moore, as well as for audiences, including Dr. Cornel West.