The Montréal Jubilation Gospel Choir came together in 1982 under the direction of Professor Trevor Payne - with a little help from Daisy Peterson Sweeney, sister of Oscar Peterson. Although the Choir was meant to give but a one-time performance as part of the 75th anniversary of the Union United Church in Montréal, it went on performing and recording extensively. Its first (live) album, Highway to Heaven, came out in 1986. Soon, the ensemble was making headway in Europe and the United States. Over the course of its illustrious career, the MJGC has played for various dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela, and collaborated with Ray Charles, Céline Dion and Michael Bolton.