Bay Area - Moodswing is the newest configuration of some of the Bay Area's most moody jazz singers. Sweeps award winners and +4db founders Dave Duran and Juliet Green have put aside their differences to team up with mercurial couple Paul and Julie Ford of the Renaissance-Jazz sextet Without Measure. They have sung together, in brief stints in such groups as InFusion, Vocal Flight, Vocal Underground, Oarkland Jazz Choir, Siemens Microelectronics Stealth Band, and on Ward Swingle's Instructional video "Swingle Singing." Combined, Moodswing brings almost 20 years of community college vocal jazz experience to each performance. Photos, mp3s, and anger management techniques are available at www.moodswing.us.

Members: Dave Duran, Julie Ford, Paul Ford, Juliet Green

Denver - face is an all-vocal rock band that prides itself in bringing a new edge and attitude to one of the purest forms of musical production. These six guys from Boulder provide raw entertainment from original arrangements of pop, rock, jazz, and classical fusion. Recently dubbed a "6-voice bomb blast," face. appeared at the past two Rocky Mountain Harmony Sweeps, winning Audience Favorite both years, and Runner-Up in 2003.

Members: Cody Qualls, Mark Megibow, Ben Lunstad, Forest Kelly, Jayson Throckmorton, Stephen Ross

Chicago - Fiveplay is soon to be Chicago's hottest vocal group. Combining popular covers, originals, and choral arrangements, Fiveplay's sound runs the gamut of pop, rock, jazz, funk, soul and doo-wop. With their tight harmonies, intricate arrangements, and dynamic solos, you won't believe that the group Fiveplay was born just at the beginning of this year. Individually, these five accomplished singers have entertained audiences from the International House of Pancakes to the Chicago House of Blues, from Lincoln, Nebraska to the Lincoln Center, from the Local 112 to the President of the United States. Together, they create a wall of sound unparalleled in precision and quality. Get ready for Fiveplay!

Members: Aaron Siedband, Brian Siedband, David Reeder, Dave Wagner, David Wilner

New York - TRACES: For the short time these five young church ladies been together it has been nothing but constant success. A quintet of powerful singers in their own right to come together and sing in harmony. A mixture of styles that range from the simplicity of a gospel choral arrangement with three parts to the complexity and intricacy of Manhattan Transfer. Lead vocals blaring and strong as Aretha Franklin and times the sweet tones and movements of an Ella Fitzgerald. Take time to come into the TRACES world and you wont be disappointed.

Members: Tia Fields, Keesha Gumbs, Kimberly Robinson,Bianka Kotee, Tameeka Gumbs.

Pacific NW - Groove For Thought is a group of six singers who share a love of contemporary vocal music. GFT sings an assortment of jazz, gospel, rhythm & blues, and pop music both a cappella and with a live band. The members of GFT all have extensive backgrounds in vocal jazz and bring something fun, exciting, and unique to the idiom. GFT originated in 1998 and perform at schools, jazz festivals, and community events throughout the Seattle area. The group's early performances were completely a cappella and the group won the "Best Original Arrangement" as well as the "Audience Favorite" awards at the 2003 Pacific Northwest Regional Harmony Sweepstakes Festival. GFT looks forward to the release of their debut CD in the spring of 2005.

Los Angeles - Undivided is an outstanding a cappella male sextet formed in the spring of 2001. With a wide range of musical influences such as Latin, Gospel, Contemporary Christian, Reggae, Pop, Jazz, R&B, and Rock, they have created a distinctive style of their own. They are well respected for their tight harmony, amazing blend, original compositions, and arrangements. Undivided seeks to re-invent a cappella music by creating innovative arrangements and positive music for today’s youth.

Members: Gregory Gordon (tenor); Ruben Aponte (tenor), David Cortes (tenor); Jose Rodriguez (tenor); Richard Aponte (baritone); Melvinsky Ramirez (bass); Aldino Parchment (Rapper)

Boston - Firedrill! has been wowing audiences from Northampton to Boston for five or six weeks now. They've performed in such venues as Nate's living room, Bonk's living room, Dana's living room, Mikey B's living room, Judd's living room, and Rob and Damia's living room. Nothing has ever been awarded to Firedrill! Sometimes when Firedrill! rehearses, every member shows up. Firedrill! looks forward to building on that and making a serious impact on Massachusetts' thriving scene of impromptu serenading.

Members: Nathan Altimari, Mike Barnicle, Michael Leblanc, Mark Manley, Victor Sandman, Judd Tomaselli, Matt "Twinkles" Wrobel

Mid-Atlantic - Cartoon Johnny is an energetic vocal band that pushes the limits of traditional a cappella.  Drawing on influences from classic soul to modern alternative, they've crafted a sound and a repertoire of sure-fire favorites and original music that brings audiences to their feet show after show.  The group has performed up and down the East Coast, and has been honored to share the stage with some of the best in the business, including DC favorites DaVinci's Notebook and 2003 Harmony Sweepstakes Champions The Idea of North.  Harmony, rhythm, and soul, with a touch of mischief and a whole lotta fun - that's Cartoon Johnny.

Members: Kieran Daly, Kevin Dixon, Ben Feeney, Mike Henrickson, Darcy Romano, Mike Webb.

Ken Malucelli - A Native San Franciscan and charter member of the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Ken Malucelli is also an 18-yr. veteran of San Francisco Opera. Having worn a variety of hats in the music industry, he is Founder/CEO of A Cappella Central and has coordinated bookings for most of the international celebrity artists on that roster: Take 6; Nylons; Rajaton; Swingle Singers; Persuasions; Rockapella, plus many of its fine national artists. He also is or has been manager or exclusive agent for the EDLOS, the House Jacks, m-pact, Talk of da Town/ Mighty Prince Singers and the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers; has executive produced CD’s for M-Pact, House Jacks, Kai, Gospel Girls, MPS and MOCC. Ken has had works commissioned and/or performed by both SF Opera and Symphony Choruses, and recorded by Chanticleer, including the latter’s internationally acclaimed theme song, “King Chanticleer." His latest project, "Oh Mr Sousa!", an original musical bio on "The March King," begins touring the national fine arts concert hall market this fall...and of course contains an a cappella number!

Sandy Cressman - Professional singer, instructor, composer and arranger Sandy Cressman began her professional career with the acclaimed vocal trio "Pastiche", who won the Harmony Sweepstakes back in 1987. After recording and touring with Pastiche, Sandy branched out, following her love for Latin music, and forming a new group, "Homenagem Brasileira", who have been performing in major festivals and venues since 1997. She will release her second Homenagem Brasileira CD on August 1 of this year. As a session singer, Sandy has recorded with such diverse artists as Eddie Money, Jonathan Cain (Journey), Pete Escovedo, Ray Obiedo and Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra. Sandy is a Governor of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy, and teaches private lessons and classes at Cressman Studios, Blue Bear School, and the Music Center of San Francisco.

Jeff Kaliss is an internationally published critic and feature writer about world music, jazz, classical music, rock, country, and other forms of entertainment. Based in San Francisco, his articles, reviews and interviews have been published in periodicals and on websites such as JazzWest, World Music Central, Muze, Rootsworld, Jazz Times, Marin Independent Journal, Oakland Tribune, SF Chronicle, Metroactive, Boston Phoenix and others too numerous to list.

Dean Suzuki earned his Ph. D. in Historical Musicology from the University of Southern California.  Now an Associate Professor in the Music Department at San Francisco State University , he specializes in Twentieth Century music, as well as teaching Rock History and Music Appreciation.  At KPFA, 94.1 FM in Berkeley, he produces and hosts “Discreet Music” (every other Sunday at 10 p.m), an eclectic offering of contemporary, experimental music, with periodic programs devoted to a cappella, progressive rock, sound poetry, sound sculpture and other musical genres and styles.  Past in-studio guests and performers include the Bobs, the Housejacks, Naturally Seven, the Accidentals, m-pact, +4db, Gunner Madsen, members of SoVoSo, F’loom and others.  As a music critic and journalist, he writes for Goldmine, Musicworks, and other periodicals. Dr. Suzuki’s essay “The Art of the Voice: Trends in American Text-Sound Composition” was published in Homo Sonorus, an international anthology of sound poetry.  He is currently putting the finishing touches on his latest article, “Minimalism in American Text-Sound Composition.”

Jeffrey Wood is an international music producer, engineer, and label consultant based out of the Fantasy Studios/Saul Zaentz Film Center complex in Berkeley.  He has produced recordings for artists in six countries. He has worked for many labels including Warner Bros, Reprise, Virgin, and Chrysalis. For five years he lived in London, where he composed music for film, released two solo albums, and produced albums for other artists. In the past he has worked with such artists as Penelope Houston, Shana Morrison, Hank Williams III, the Housemartins, Pauline Black, Giant Sand, Luka Bloom, and others.  His specialty is vocal music, and his latest credits include projects with a cappella singers Copperwimmin, Rhiannon and members of Kitka.