V.A.: Contemporary American Jazz Vocal Groups (Compilation by CB)

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN VOCAL JAZZ GROUPS
A tradição dos grandes grupos vocais norte-americanos se estende desde o início século passado até os dias de hoje. É mantida intacta - ou melhor: constantemente renovada por centenas de novos grupos que, apesar de não frequentarem a mídia e permanecerem mais ou menos obscuros, limitados às suas cidades de origem, possuem a mesma qualidade dos grupos mais famosos. Nesta compilação, reuni alguns desses fantásticos grupos vocais. Todos eles têm CDs gravados e atuam em shows, permanentemente.
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The great tradition of American vocal groups extends from the early last century until today and is still kept intact - or rather, it´s constantly renewed by hundreds of new groups who, despite their high quality, remain more or less obscure, limited to their hometowns. Most of them are almost as good as some famous and popular groups, though. This compilation gathers some gorgeous tunes recorded by these vocal groups. All of them have recorded CDs and act in concerts, permanently.
(CB)
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THE GROUPS:

AN OCTAVE ABOVE
An Octave Above is a group of eight professional vocalists who blend years of experience and a love of a cappella harmony to every style of music they sing. From doo-wop to jazz, standards to madrigals, Bacharach to The Beatles, An Octave Above creates a new standard for excellence on the Chicago music scene. For a vocal group that has only been together a few years, An Octave Above has quickly established themselves as one of the hottest new a cappella vocal groups in Chicago.

GROOVE FOR THOUGHT
Infectious grooves, stunning arrangements, and electrifying solos are just some of the phrases used to describe Seattle based vocal group Groove For Thought. Since 2000, GFT has brought their unique brand of jazz, gospel, and R&B infused tunes to festival, concert, school, and nightclub audiences throughout the United States and Canada. The six men of GFT create their own sound while drawing on influences as diverse as Earth, Wind, & Fire and The Count Basie Orchestra.

GROOVE SOCIETY
Groove Society is an award winning vocal ensemble with a growing reputation for their excellence in jazz and a cappella singing. Thoughtfully crafted arrangements, masterful use of extended harmonies, intricate rhythms and exhilarating improvisations characterize this ensemble’s unique sound. Although the group’s roots are firmly planted in the jazz genre, they are not afraid to demonstrate their versatility by performing in a variety of styles. Whether singing Latin, blues, bebop, rock, pop, funk or R&B, a common thread of exuberant passion and soul runs throughout each performance. Former members of the University of Northern Colorado's formed the group in 2002. With degrees ranging from vocal performance to music education to theory and composition, they have combined their talents to create a dynamic group that captivates audiences and finds itself in demand.

HIGH FIVE
High Five is an award winning, mixed voice, 5-part, a cappella jazz quintet from the
Baltimore-Washington area creating music and fun wherever music lovers can be found.
With more than a century of combined musical experience, this full-chord sound and tight harmonies are indicative of their unique style. This, combined with an undisputable jazz influence & champion arranger, makes Janet, Christy, Lori, Joe and Mike the ensemble that is unmistakably High Five.

JUST FOUR KICKS
Within the few short years since they put their quartet together at a jazz festival at Mt. Hood Community College, Just 4 Kicks has become a staple at jazz clinics and festivals all over the United States and Canada. Each of the members of this a cappella vocal jazz quartet is distinguished independently in music and brings an incredible depth to Just 4 Kicks to make it truly unique. As solid performers and educators, they are able to present themselves and their art in a way that students can appreciate, understand, and learn.
- Randy Crenshaw
- Kirk Marcy
- Kirby Shaw
- Vijay Singh

PIECES OF 8
Powerful, entertaining and bursting with energy, this contemporary a cappella octet blends familiar sounds to create its own expression of American vocal music. The ensemble's voices -- pairs of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses -- combine in rich harmony to create a seamless blend of sound. Saluting the boundless and unpredictable American spirit, Pieces of 8 combines classical music influences with the sounds of jazz, pop, rock, Reggae, doo-wop, gospel and soul to create a multilayered, nearly orchestral texture.

QUINTESSENCE
Quintessence is an Ottawa-based group of six singers who specialise in a cappella
performances of a wide variety of repertoire from big-band through to hits of recent years, as well as some original material. The group was originally formed in 1985 under the name of 'The Ottawa Jazz Choral,' and has developed a distinctive style to create melody, accompaniment and even percussion, all from only six voices. Many of the vocal arrangements that they perform are tailor-made to their voices by arrangers from within the group. Their influences include 'Manhattan Transfer,' Take Six,' the Swingle Singers,' 'Les Double Six,' and 'The Real Group.' Their performances include pieces ranging from Glenn Miller to George Gershwin, and from Bach to the Beach Boys.

READY WILLING AND MABEL
This Los Angeles-based vocal jazz group has been singing together since 2003, and has developed a loyal and enthusiastic following for its unique A cappella style and lively personality. The group's sound has been described as "compelling," "mesmerizing," and "a cocktail for the ears!" The foursome, who describe themselves as "self-confessed chord freaks," share a passion for "dangerously close harmonies" and "songs that can melt the heart!" A powerful combination indeed! Ready Willing & Mabel is a truly international group - Caroline McLean, the group's lead singer, hails from Leeds, England, while alto, Kate Walker is from Christchurch, New Zealand. Peter Neushul, tenor, and Robert Clark, the group's bass singer are both native Los Angelinos.

SIXTH WAVE
It was a quick jump for these 3 men and 3 women from Los Angeles from the founding of their Vocal Jazz group in 1999 to realizing their dream of appearing in the Harmony Sweepstakes competition. Sixth Wave won the 2001 L.A. Harmony Sweeps Regionals, and then they found themselves on the stage of the National Finals in San Rafael, where they performed an incredible set and were named Harmony Sweeps National Champions!

VOCALOGY
Vocalogy is a jazz vocal quintet which brings an exciting and distinctive new sound to the world of vocal jazz. Vocalogy's unique performances of jazz and standards have delighted audiences nationwide in festivals, concerts, clinics and clubs for over six years. The group utilizes its range of five-and-a-half octaves to execute intricate and vocally demanding material in a way that seems effortless. They thrill audiences with their improvised solos, tight ensemble work, and dazzling harmonies. Vocalogy arose from an artist-in-residency program under Grammy-Award nominee Phil Mattson. Now self-directed, Vocalogy performs a collection of innovative arrangements written by members of the group.

VOCATION (*)
Vocation was formed in 1999 at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. Though starting only as a small project, the group extended their cooperation and soon found a collaborator in conductor Lone Larsen, who helped them shape their unique sound. Reviews, given in Swedish newspapers during a tour in Sweden, closely linked Vocation to The Real Group, Take 6, Gals and Pals, as well as to Manhattan Transfer and the New York Voices.

VOICE TREK
Formed in 1987, Voice Trek makes their home in St. Paul, Minnesota. A well-respected
ingredient in Minnesota jazz, the five singers of Voice Trek are: Shelley Plaster Jwanouskos Soprano, Vicki Plaster Kueppers Second Soprano, Rae Plaster Allaire Alto, Denis Allaire Tenor, Kevin Smith Bass. Educated in both classical and jazz idioms, each member of the group contributes to Voice Trek's distinctive sound. The combination of the sisters' natural blend, and the warm rich voices of the men give strength to their five-part vocal scats and fullness to their lush harmonies, while some of their most acclaimed and impressive arrangements are performed a cappella. All studied with acclaimed jazz educator and arranger, Phil Mattson. As teacher, mentor, and friend, Phil gave Voice Trek the inspiration and education to become a "world class" professional vocal ensemble.

(Source: www.singers.com - edited by CB)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - esta postagem, reunindo diversos grupos e vários estilos, se constitui num painel atualizado do que se faz, presentemente, em termos de vocais na - digamos - "segunda divisão" ou "Série B" dos USA. São grupos que - como eu disse lá em cima - não frequentam a mídia nem vendem milhares de CDs, embora a maioria deles possuam quase a mesma qualidade de congêneres famosos, como o Manhattan Transfer, Take Six, New York Voices, etc. Seguindo os cânones da "Lei de Lavoisier", ( na natureza...TUDO SE COPIA!) tem um pouco do estilo de cada um desses ícones que servem de modelo e influenciam positivamente os novos grupos. Vale a pena conferir.

(*) Embora o Vocation seja sueco, eu o incluí na postagem. Assim como os seus conterrâneos "Real Group" e "Gals & Pals", estarem baseados na Suécia é mero "acidente geográfico".

(**) Tem até Ernesto Nazareth: Tico Tico no Fubá, num arranjo brasileiríssimo, com o "An octave above". E, de quebra, a Jobiniana "Estrada branca" (Happy Madness" com o "Sixth Wave).
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V.A.: Contemporary American Jazz Vocal Groups (Compilation by CB)

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
An Octave Above - Tico Tico no Fubá
Groove For Thought - Joy to the world
Groove Society - I´m beggining to see the light
High Five - Scotch and soda
Just Four Kicks - Wonderlicks
Pieces of 8 - The Xmas song
Quintessence - Les duettistes
Ready willing and Mabel - Where is love
Sixth Wave - Happy Madness
Vocalogy - It could happen to you
Vocation - Almost like being in love
Voice Trek - Take 5

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