Beachfront Property - Mixed Vocal Jazz Septet from Los Angeles, CA United States

National Finals | Current Schedule | Our National Champions | Historical Events | Judges | Directors | Search

Recordings | Groups | Goals | Rules | How to enter | Contact Us | About Us | Publicity Photos

Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Pacific North West | San Francisco | Mid Atlantic (DC)

1994 Los Angeles Regional Champions

Beachfront Property


Mixed Vocal Jazz Septet from Los Angeles, CA

  • 1994 Los Angeles Champions

    "Beachfront" is not a piece of real estate along the ocean, but it is a hot property nonetheless. Described as sounding like "Manhattan Transfer" meets "Take 6," their smooth singing style combines the rich sounds of jazz with the fun and energy of pop music. They have shared the stage with Mel Torme, "The Four Freshman," "The Hi-los," Kenny Rankin, Crystal Lewis, "The Brothers Four" and "Emerson, Lake & Palmer." The success of Beachfront Property is found not only in a successful blending of harmonies, but in a blending of personalities.

    "Not everyone can sing in a group like this," says Tom Dustman, Beachfront's artistic director and bass vocalist. "It takes a special person to give, and give, and give." The object is to entertain while also preserving some of America's most beloved classics, he says. "No one person is the star." Achieving this feat takes a great deal of effort and a lot of self-control, as the key is to blend the voices. Beachfront's four-part blend is spun out in seemingly effortless fashion creating mellow and exciting, woven-together-like-cloth chords that treat the listener to arrangements of familiar songs with a whole new sound.

    Members: Stan Castongia, Jennifer Dustman, Tom Dustman, Bill Mumaw, Jill Mumaw, Alyce Ohl, Michelle Caroll


    Profile for Beachfront Property on singers.com

    Beachfront Property: A Beachfront Christmas

    The Beachfront Property septet bundles up for the wintry chill with these dozen accompanied holiday classics, performed in elegant supper-club style. Members take turns soloing over chord voicings that lend themselves to comparison with the Singers Unlimited; the arrangements, (many written by Michele Weir, of Phil Mattson's P.M. Singers), can be tricky! "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," featuring the pitter-patter of reindeer feet and a presto descending motive, varies its rhythmic accents and tempo throughout. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has a signature walking bass, setting a relaxed four in conjunction with the lyric. In short, Santa, prepare to swing with style!

    4703 1 CD $14.98

    Beachfront Property: Beachfront Property

    This nine-member ensemble has selected fourteen wonderful songs for their debut CD (about half are accompanied) featuring arrangements from Joe Finetti,Phil Mattson, Michele Weir and Gene Puerling. The first track, "The Flintstones Theme," complete with Fred's "Wilma" holler, wins over the listener immediately; "Blackbird," sung a cappella, is rendered as a sort of jazz hymn, fleshing out the progression with counterpoint and extending the phrases. "Embraceable You" becomes three dimensional, it's so depthful. "You Go To My Head" has become something of a signature tune for Beachfront: the richness and texture of the Singers Unlimited, without encumbering the essence of the song with unnecessary ornamentation. Terrific.

    4701 1 CD $14.98

    Beachfront Property: Straight Up

    If you enjoy listening to jazz presented by enough voices to be a chorus when that embellishes the arrangement, sung by singers so accomplished that you can follow each individual voice through complex vocal intertwining, you will love Beachfront Property. This group of southern California studio singers alternate accompanied and unaccompanied tunes which become jazz standards after they are through with them if they weren't before. One notable original is Vince Guaraldi's " Linus & Lucy" adapted for voices by Stan Castonogia and the group.

    4702 1 CD $14.98

    Click Here for Past Harmony Sweepstakes Recordings



    Hear about Local A Cappella Events and Auditions

    Enter your email address and zip code to be informed about local a cappella performances.

    Email Address: ZIP code (5 digit):



    Find a Harmony Sweepstakes Group



    Find a Harmony Sweepstakes Singer



    Submit Your Group | Submit a Singer's Info
    Browse

    Browse By


    Music Category
    Arrangement
    Gender
    Instructional
    Format
    Christmas

    Thanks to our Sponsor