Well… Israel Houghton have no a really connection to Israeli Culture, but he have a big influence at world Christian worship music. Israel Houghton (sometimes known only as Israel) is a Christian worship leader mostly known for his cross-cultural style of worship music that fuses elements from Gospel music, Jazz and Rock.
His project Alive in South Africa, recorded live in Cape Town, received a Grammy Award for “Best Traditional Gospel Album” in 2007 and two songs from the album, “Not Forgotten” and “Turn It Around”, received a Dove Award for “Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song” in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Both his album Live from Another Level and rendition of “Again I Say Rejoice” received a Dove in 2005. He has served as worship leader for the Promise Keepers and Champions for Christ events, as well as the Hillsong Conference 2006. Israel also serves as a worship leader (alongside of Cindy Cruise) at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, pastured by Joel Osteen. With Lakewood he has recorded four albums: We Speak to Nations, Cover the Earth, The Gift, and Free to Worship. He is currently signed to Integrity Music.
Israel and New Breed broadened the visibility of their ministry, accompanying Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of George Michael’s “Freedom ‘90.”
You can watch him at this clip at YouTube
