Named after the “clear singing” rooster in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, this all male ensemble was founded by the musicologist and tenor Louis Botto in 1978.
They are based in San Francisco, California, and when it was first established there were ten singers that have varied over the years to its current twelve members. They were originally singers of traditional Renaissance and medieval music but now their repertoire covers many genres including jazz and gospel music.
Louis Botto was a singer and their Art Director until he died in 1997 and Joseph Jennings became their Music Director after being part of the ensemble since 1983.
They have toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe and appeared with orchestras that include the Los Angeles Philharmonic. They also hold a concert series in the Bay Area.
Having made numerous recordings they achieved success with their Colors of Love – Works of Thomas, Stucky, Tavener and Rands which won them the Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance. In 2007 they premiered the Mass “And On Earth, Peace” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and it has since been released on CD. Working with the community they host Chanticleer Youth Chorus Festivals and conduct artist-in-the-school residencies for young people.
James Woodie Alexander recordings
Jesus Met the Woman at the Well
Teldec 96515 (CD: Out Of This World)
Anonymous recordings
Arirang (c15th Century Korean)
Teldec 16676 (CD: Wondrous Love: A World Folk Song Collection)
Sources: