Composer, vocal arranger and singer Tony Backhouse has directed the Café of the Gate of Salvation since 1986. He researched the Black gospel tradition at Memphis State University, and since 1988 has regularly visited the USA befriending and singing with choirs, quartets and congregations in New York, Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. He has led twelve gospel tours to the USA to participate in the African American church tradition, and has run over 2000 vocal workshops throughout Australia, New Zealand, UK, France, Italy, Canada, Fiji, Bali and Samoa. He is the author of 2 Black gospel songbooks, and a book on directing vocal groups Freeing the Song.
