He is the former director of Joybells, Europe's oldest gospel choir, who wanted to combine his passion for exploring new musical territories with his desire to spread good news through music.
As a result he founded Praise Unit in 2004, a group of gifted singers and musicians from various backgrounds and different parts of Sweden. Before Praise Unit, he was involved in many kinds of music, but the love for gospel music was always the main inspirational source. He was trombone player in the church brass band, tried a few years in a heavy metal band, then played the classical guitar until he became rapper and guitar player in a funk band.
During 2000-2001 he worked as a music minister in New York City and founded Salem Outreach Singers. Since 2003 he has been working with Creative Kirche from Germany who manages his work as workshop leader and choir coach in the German speaking countries. Besides northern Europe and the USA, Joakim is continually networking with artists, composers and choirs all over the world.
He worked with, and/or shared the stage with K. Franklin, K. Carr, A. Crouch, E. Hawkins, W. Whitman, R. Grundy, H. Walker and many others. What makes him stand out as a choir director is how he uses his own music to teach choirs to go beyond their usual sound and traditions.
The songs he write for Praise Unit works as well with the heavy beats of any dance floor, as together with a symphony orchestra or in a church choir.
www.joakimarenius.com
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