16th Annual

2000 New York Champions:

The Exboyfriends

They are a seven member "alternative a cappella" group from New York City. Born out of an ad in The Village Voice, they have been performing together for over six years in New York City clubs, on cable television, and over national syndicated radio. The Exboyfriends¹ first brush with fame came in December of 1997 when they were asked to perform on the Howard Stern Show as the Howard Stern Christmas Carolers. Making two appearances on the show, the Ex¹s won over the shock-jock and his fans with song parodies of popular Christmas Carols. The group¹s songs can still be heard on the radio during the holiday season, as well as brand new carols they submit to the show each year. Their first big television break came in November of 1999 on the VH1 series "Rock of Ages." The Ex¹s were tapped to perform as the Country/Western version of The Backstreet Boys in a hidden camera segment taped in the Virgin Megastore in NYC. Teenyboppers listened at a phony listening station and their reactions ­ ranging from hysteria to disbelief ­ were captured on tape. More than a few attempts were made to buy the fake CDs! The Exboyfriends are proud back-to-back winners of the "Audiences Favorite Award" at the last two Harmony Sweepstakes here in New York.
David Curry, Xerxes Eclipse, David Kern, Jeff Liebert, Jeremy Lipkin, Ari Picker, Brian Reichelt.

Ball In the House
Scott Harris, Jason Downie, David Guisth, Stephan McNulty, Jon Ryan, Michael Benard.
Six guys - six mouths - that's it. Ball in the House is taking this slogan to the masses. BitH is a six-man group from Boston, MA that has been performing for hundreds of thousands of people in 1999. They completed nearly 250 U.S. tour dates from California to New York, and supported national acts such as Cher, 98 Degrees, Paula Cole, and many more. They receive airplay on over one hundred commercial, college, internet, and public radio stations nationwide, including Boston's WXKS KISS 108 FM. Their appearances at national events such as the Major League Baseball All-Star gave have hit BitH will national acclaim.

Bob Ross Juice Box Seven
What do you get when you put an actress, a composer, a lyricist, a lawyer, an architect, an international arts liason and a college administrator/Diva in a room together? Well, if they have a love of making music and the right wardrobe, you might get Bob Ross Juice Box, a unique blend of funky and fun - performing hot new versions of old favorites as well as original material. BRJB is proud to be making it's New York City debut at the Harmony Sweepstakes.

Duwende
Jason Baluyut, Edward Chung, Susan Hills, Brett Hopkins, Dexter Jones, Morgan Phillips.
Duwende aims to transcend musical boundaries and provide listeners with a smorgasbord of diverse and memorable contemporary songs. With an open spirit of musical experimentation and a unique style evolved from various musical genres, we deliver a crowd-pleasing show that showcases shopisticated vocal percussion, powerful bass, dynamic soloists and innovative songwriting. Duwende¹s musical selection consists of original all-vocal compositions and cover songs in a wide range of styles, including funk, rock, R&B, folk, and world beat. Since its inception in the winter of 1998, Duwende has been winning over audiences in venues throughout the New York City area, including high school and college campuses, private functions, ad clubs and theaters like Gaslight, The Triad, Arlene Grocery, HERE Center for the Performing Arts, New York Comedy Club, and Le Bar Bat.

The Exboyfriends
David Curry, Xerxes Eclipse, David Kern, Jeff Liebert, Jeremy Lipkin, Ari Picker, Brian Reichelt.
They are a seven member "alternative a cappella" group from New York City. Born out of an ad in The Village Voice, they have been performing together for over six years in New York City clubs, on cable television, and over national syndicated radio. The Exboyfriends¹ first brush with fame came in December of 1997 when they were asked to perform on the Howard Stern Show as the Howard Stern Christmas Carolers. Making two appearances on the show, the Ex¹s won over the shock-jock and his fans with song parodies of popular Christmas Carols. The group¹s songs can still be heard on the radio during the holiday season, as well as brand new carols they submit to the show each year. Their first big television break came in November of 1999 on the VH1 series "Rock of Ages." The Ex¹s were tapped to perform as the Country/Western version of The Backstreet Boys in a hidden camera segment taped in the Virgin Megastore in NYC. Teenyboppers listened at a phony listening station and their reactions ­ ranging from hysteria to disbelief ­ were captured on tape. More than a few attempts were made to buy the fake CDs! The Exboyfriends are proud back-to-back winners of the "Audiences Favorite Award" at the last two Harmony Sweepstakes here in New York.

The 5th Element
Fern Sicilia, Neil Dingle Jr., Mark Paul, Paul Santino.
If you're looking for "Great" musical entertainment for your organization, the 5th Element is the solution. This is a barbershop quartet with the flexibility to sing the old songs in the old style, or to swing your favorites, like Frank Sinatra or Nat-King Cole. With an average age of the late 20's, this is not your father's barbershop quartet (although we can do that too). This is an a cappella delight for all ages. These four started singing together in April of 1998 and are currently the highest-ranking barbershop quartet in the New York-Metro area in the Barbershop Harmony Society. All four members belong to the Big Apple Chorus, the New York chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society which regularly delights audiences around the country and throughout the New York area. Both the lead and the bass are very active leaders in the chorus. The Big Apple Chorus consistently ranks in the Top Ten of all barbershop choruses.
Tentative Set List: "Lucky Day" or "Birth of the Blues" "Sinatra Medley"

Hearts of Stone
Charles Murkey, Carl Cutler, Benny Rogers, Stanford Laws, Elliotte Jenkins
Hearts of Stone originated in the 1970's as a Motown recording group. Motown, however, is not the only musical style found in this group. R&B, rock'n'roll, and doo-wop are also among the styles heard during performances. Hearts of Stone appears either "a cappella" or with the Touch Band. In either situation, they demonstrate their smooth sound and terrific harmonies.
Carl Cutler, in the original recording group, re-vived the Hearts of Stone about ten years ago, re-teaming with Idells member Benny Rodgers. Each member of this quintet has been singing since his youth.
Individually or in various group configurations, the Hearts of Stone have appeared with Eddie Holman, the Delphonics, Ray Charles, Benny King, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Pookine Hudson and the Spaniels, Bobby Rydell, and Teddy Pendegrass among others. Hears of Stone is currently performing in a variety of venues throughout the Philadelpnia area and New Jersey.
Hears of Stone appeared on NIN-TV in 1998 as part of the Harvey Holiday Street Corner extravaganza.
Tentative Set List: "Inland of Love" "Farewell My Love" or "Lonesome Road"

The Philharmonix
Donna Perrone, Tim Halley, Amy Carr, Rick Serpico.
Meet Philharmonix, a mixed a cappella quartet that is thrilling audiences in the Philadelphia are, as well as up and down the East Coast. These four talented singers, each with a strong background in the close harmonies and precision singing of the barbershop world, have joined forces to create an exciting new sound in the style of the Modernaires and the Manhattan Transfer. Organized in 1997, Philharmonix performed at the Mixed Harmony Showcase at the 1998 SPEBSQSA International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, were a featured quartet at the 1998 &1999 Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio and performed at the Ohio State Fair. Their busy schedule includes appearing in community concerts, conventions, banquets, and festivals. In January 1999, they received first-place medals in their first national contest, the Mid-America Barbershop Quartet Expo in St Louis, Missouri. Philharmonix combines a natural sound and fun-loving style that their audiences truly enjoy. These accomplished musicians can perform melody and harmony with ease, making every song they sing a showcase for their unique ability and versatility. Their repertoire includes favorites from the 30¹s and 40¹s, as well as pop tunes, gospel, Broadway, and Jazz.

Special Delivery
Michael Barchetto, Bud Cuttito, Jim Espallat, Jim Hammill, Mike Mulligan, Phil Ruggiero

Since it's inception in 199, Special Delivery has developed into one of the Northeast's premier acappella groups. This seven man vocal ensemble continues to captivate audiences with it's sophisticated arrangements, intricate harmonies an powerful lead vocals applied to the popular American music from the 1930's through the 1990's.

Sunday Morning News
Dan Driscoll, Ed Hiligar, Tom McMueency, Dave White.

Uncle Bazz and the Jive Street Five
Bryan Frederick, Amir Herman, Vanessa Manuel, Thea McCartan, Jane McIntosh, Mike Van Allen, Xerxes Eclipse.
Cryogenically frozen in the late 70¹s, Uncle Bazz and the Jive Street Five returned to life at the cusp of the new Millennium to continue performing all music that is funky. While "getting its groove back" proved more complicated than first anticipated, the group has finally adjusted to life in the present and plans to start singing Latin pop music any day now.

Margaret Dorn

Margaret Dorn is an award-winning songwriter, singer and arranger whose second CD is being released this month in Europe. Her songs have been recorded worldwide by artists such as Karen Carpenter, Melba Moore, Hiromi Ota and most recently, Tom Jones. She has sung with many artists including Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Bette Midler, Michael Bolton, Donald Fagen, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Barry Manilow, Taylor Dane, Diana Ross and Rosie O'Donnel. She toured the US this summer with Boz Scaggs, playing keyboards and singing.

Her a cappella group, the Accidentals, won the National Harmony Sweepstakes in 1995, winning all four categories in the New York Regional, and three out of four in the National (including Audience Favorite). Her song "You Win" won Best Song honors in both competitions as well as the 1996 CARA for Best Contemporary Song. It is on the Accidentals' debut CD "Mostly A Cappella." Other songs from the same album winning CARAs, were Bill Mitchell's "Rudiana" (Best Humorous Song), and Jim Vincent's "In Just Spring" (runner-up for Best Classical Song). Two cuts from "An Accidental Christmas," released in 1998, were featured in two major films "Enemy of the State," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

The Accidentals also won the MAC and Back Stage Bistro Awards in 1997. They perform often in New York City and the tri-state area and are currently finishing work on their third CD. They wish to extend best wishes and congratulations to all the groups participating in the Sweepstakes. Have a great time!

 

Darmon Meader
Recognized in both the jazz vocal and instrumental world, Darmon Meader is considered one of the premier vocalists, arrangers and saxophonists in jazz today. Darmon has achieved rapid international recognition as the founder, musical director, chief arranger, composer, producer, saxophonist, and vocalist with New York Voices. As a member of New York Voices, he has released four albums on the GRP Records label. In addition, New York Voices has appeared as a guest artist on a variety of other projects including the cast album of Irving Berlin's "Louisiana Purchase"; the critically acclaimed "Ancient Tower" (featuring vocals by New York Voices, music by Robert Lepley, poetry by R. M. Rilke, and readings by Meryl Streep); and the Grammy winning "Count Basie Orchestra with New York Voices - Live at MCG". In January of 1998, New York Voices released their long awaited RCA Victor release "New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon". With New York Voices, Darmon has performed and/or recorded with a variety of artists including Ray Brown, Bernadette Peters, George Benson, Maureen McGovern, Don Sebesky, Jim Hall and the Count Basie Orchestra. He has toured internationally, performing at such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall, Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival and Blue Note Jazz Clubs (New York and Japan). New York Voices latest CD, which will be released in the fall of 2000, is a swing project, featuring Darmon's big band writing, as well as his vocal and instrumental talents. In addition to Darmon's continuing New York Voices touring and recording commitments, he is increasingly busy as a sideman and studio musician. Also, Darmon is actively involved in music education, working as a clinician and guest artist at both the high school and university level. Recent guest artist appearances include Northwestern University (1996), Virginia Tech (1997), conductor of the New Jersey All-state Jazz Ensemble (1998), University of Louisville (1999), American River College (1999), conductor of the Wisconsin and New York All-state Vocal Jazz Ensembles (1999) and conductor of the Arizona All-state Vocal Jazz Ensemble (2000). When not involved with music, Darmon likes to "escape" from New York through a variety of outdoor activities including cycling, skiing, camping and kayaking.

 

Claudia Marx

With more than twenty years in the record industry, Claudia Marx began her career at Connoisseur Society Records, a small classical label where she was in charge of production. In 1979, she accepted a position at RCA as an assistant in the publicity department, where she worked alongside well-known jazz publicist Elliott Horne who opened her eyes to jazz. She later moved to Vanguard Records where, as head of production, she was responsible for pressing and record jacket production. She completed her industry education during a stint at NewYork Digital Recording, where she learned bout the technical aspects of the recording business. She launched Town Crier Recordings in 1986, aspiring to make it the Rolls Royce of jazz labels. The personal attention she was able to give her artists and the high audio standards she set for her recordings put Claudia in a league of her own - head and shoulders above the big record companies. When Sir Roland Hanna first heard his finished Round Midnight recording he remarked that it is the best album he ever made. Paquito D'Rivera said the same thing about the album he made for Town Crier. Since 1991, Ms Marx has been the Director of a jazz-oriented vocal group called the Lance Hayward Singers. The 18-voice ensemble sings unusual arrangements of jazz compositions, standards Negro Sprituals and some classical music. The group has been working since 1984. Town Crier Recordings is the American record label for the high level a cappella groups The Real Group and most recently, Vox P.

 

 

Jack Scandura

Jack comes from a musical family. His Dad was a musician with prominent big bands during the 40s and the 50s. Jack grew up in Queens, in the 1950s, acquired his interest in vocal groups singing with friends on the local street corners. To his credit are numerous recordings with groups such as the Blend-Aires, Blue Stars (LP on Clifton in 1990), and most recently the Five Discs. Jack has been a member of this legendary street corner group, the Five Discs, for the last few years traveling the country with the group of the 50's, 60's revival concerts. Musician, lead singer, harmony sing, arranger, musical director, vocal teacher, all facets of Jacks love, interest and knowledge of vocal harmony. He is currently working as an arranger, lead and background vocals on a couple of CD projects for Clifton Records.