1996 Groups
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Bay Area
 | Ro Sham Bo
Ro Sham Bo brings a surprising and exciting spark to the Bay Area vocal music scene. Ro Sham Bo's roots are steeped in jazz and funk, and their performances deliver an inspired blend of complexity and ease. Most group members are music educators or music educated, arrange, perform, and direct not only for Ro Sham Bo but for groups from San Jose to Black Rock City, and have taught students from Stanford University Jazz Workshop to Jazz Camp West to Blue Bear School of Music. Members: Anna Prozinski, Audrey Kauffman, Arsinoe Bacogiannis, Will Flash, Tim Lukaszewski, Paul Kim    |
 | SoVoSo
SoVoSo is a highly imaginative a cappella ensemble that sings a unique, rhythmic mix of jazz, gospel, world and R&B music, all rendered in their trademark improvisational style. The SoVoSo repertoire consists of original compositions and other songs that present a global perspective, from Afro-Latin idioms to traditional funk and jazz arrangements. Two SoVoSo members (Joey Blake, past member, and current member David Worm) are current members of Bobby McFerrin's a cappella group, Voicestra, performing with him from 1993 to present. Members: Joey Blake, Sunshine Garcia, Dave Worm, Rhiannon, Nic Beard, Melanie  |
 | Apex
Apex is a harmony based vocal group, with the funky addition of vocal percussion. Influences included r&b, funk, and jazz. Don't be deceived - this is not your ordinary a cappella. Apex has performed at the San Jose Convention Center, Filipino American Music Tribute, Filipino American Collegiate Conference, Live & Direct, or many other venues in Northern California. They have also been on Pinoy Pa Rin and the Bruce Latimer Show. As Asian Americans, with their energetic style and charismatic stage presence, they offer a unique change to the mainstream audience. Members: Anthony-Chris Lorenzo, Andrew Gapuz, Andre Silva, Errol Viral, Lawrence de Guzman, Leo Chan  |
 | The G-Notes
The G Notes, 3 brothers and one sister, have been performing in various community events, fair festivals and etceteras for the last five years. They have recorded their first album consisting of 8 original self-produced songs. Members: Shannon Garth, Gariel Garth, Lathanyo Garth, Larenzo Garth |
| Inspiracy
Inspiracy was conceived in December 1993 as a lesbian and gay chamber vocal ensemble focusing on excellence in vocal production, expertise in musical ability, and depth of performance. Emphasis has been placed upon the spiritual values of the material performed. In the spirit of this vision, Inspiracy has performed for the San Francisco City/County Fair, John Sims Center for the Performing Arts, Kairos Support for Caregivers, the Source Center For Spiritual Growth and Development, the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco, and St. John's United Church Of Christ. Members: |
| Mama Sez
Mama Sez is an a cappella vocal ensemble dedicated to experimenting with a variety of vocal styles and skills including vocal instrumentation and orchestration. All vocal arrangements are original with an emphasis on Jazz, gospel, and R&B. Their repertoire also includes rock, pop, folk, and blues. Their music is described as eclectic. They love a good rhythm, a memorable phrase, and music that transcend time and culture. Mama Sez group members believe that, like the spirit, the voice was meant to soar. When the spirits and voices of four friends get together, the sound produced is limited only by the margins of their voices and their combined imaginations. Members: Marleen Quint, Michelle Shattock, Kathleen Baumgardner |
 | Mary Schmary
Mary Schmary are like a group of irrepressible friends: they are zany, infectious, and full of energy, and sometimes they drive you up the wall. Hidden Agenda Items is an album that puns twill and tuille, sings about Babar the Elephant and parodies Peter, Paul and Mary by singing If I Had a Hamster. It combines moments of sweet music and true originality (Bug Girl) with an overdose of vocal takes, laughing-in-the-studio tracks and almost funny riffs. I bet they were funny if you were there, or part of a good-natured, drunken late-night collective. But before midnight, sober listeners end up missing out. Members: Myriam Casimir, Cynsa Bonorris, Alyn Kelley, Desiree Pointer |
| New Originals
Former members of Quintessence, Table For Five, In The Buff, The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and one aspiration have Banded together to form one unique sound. Their balance of humor, energy, and heart can be habit forming. Members: |
 | Talk Of Da' Town
The Bay Area's premier R&B/Motown/Doo-Woppers, capped off 195 with a 15 day tour of Spain, a gig with Patti Labelle, and the release of their debut album, after spending much of the year singing all over California (a four day gig in Chattanooga); and opening for Ray Charles, James Brown, Take 6, The Temptations, Tower Of Power and many others…I guess you could say they were busy. 1996 promises tours to Africa, Europe, a new all-Gospel CD (as The Mighty Prince Singers)…I guess you could say they'll be busy! Group members are: Paul Carrington, Carl Douglas, Stan Lockwood, Rayfield Ragler, and Doug Stepney. Members: Paul Carrington, Carl Douglas, Stan Lockwood, Rayfield Ragler, Doug Stepney |
Boston
 | Harmonytryx
In the world of a cappella music, Harmonytryx (Har-mo-NEE-trix) is a breath of fresh air! Self-managed and independent, these women entertain audiences with an eclectic mix of pop, folk and world music that ranges from sexy and provocative to soulful and spiritual. Their unique combination of tightly-crafted vocal harmonies, powerful solos, funky vocal percussion and lively humor has captivated audiences throughout the NYC metropolitan area and beyond. Members: Erica Cohn, Janet Crowley, Joia Ladd, Elena LaRoca, Jenifer Starr, Anne Walsh |
Chicago
| Acafellas
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 | AC Rock
Ac Rock is one of America's great a cappella quartets, singing classic rock 'n roll favorites from the 1950s through the 1980s. Ac Rock sings boomer rock in stunning vocal harmony without instrumental accompaniment. It's an engaging mix of tightly-crafted music and freewheeling humor that pleases audiences of all ages. Ac Rock performs for corporate events, conventions, industrial shows, charity auctions and stunt marketing events all over the country. Centrally based in Chicago, Ac Rock has easy access to all parts of the US and Canada. Summer festivals, school shows and private parties, too. Ac Rock is the right group for your group. Members: |
| Anything Goes
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| Forte
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 | Fourth Avenue
Take a pinch of soul, add a bit Motown, mix it all together with a little doo-wop and you have the makings of the a cappella sounds of 4th Avenue. Formed in 1993, this quintet features bass Jim Brown, baritones Scott Dawson, Ryan Holway and Chris Steward, tenor and vocal percussionist Maurice Harris. Together their diverse musical backgrounds and influences create a unique blend of music unlike any other group. 4th Avenue has performed before the Cincinnati Reds, opened for the Beach Boys, and are featured performers at Paramount's Kings Island. This group combines their voices and unique personalities to create a show of humor and harmony sure to bring audiences to their feet. Members: Jim Brown, Scott Dawson, Ryan Holway, Chris Steward, Maurice Harris |
 | The Girls Next Door
Founded in 1971, The Girls Next Door are University of Illinois' first female a cappella group. These twelve women are diverse in background and interests, but all share a passion for music and take pride in their ability to push the limits of all female a cappella. Performing music from almost every genre, Girls Next Door are compelling and dynamic, captivating audiences of all ages. Members: |
| The Hi Tops
Members: Andrew Blenderman |
| Major 6
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| Monkey Puzzle
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| Sybarites
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| The Tonight Show
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Los Angeles
 | Alley Cats
By bringing their own contemporary style to tunes from the 1950s and 60s, The Alley Cats appeal to fans of all ages, breathing new life into everyone's favorite doo-wop classics. The four members of The Alley Cats are a perfect blend both vocally and personally. More than a decade after they began, Royce Reynolds, whose solid bass vocals create the Cats' musical foundation, and Mando Fonseca, the second tenor always ready with a pun or quick quip, have the ease of familiarity which make their camaraderie and vocal play radiate from the stage. Baritone Sean Devine, whose smooth vocals melt hearts the world over, and newest member Juan Del Castillo, re-creator of all of those soaring 50s first tenor lines, bring their freshness and talent to an already solid foundation of a cappella tradition. Together they are truly the Cat's meow! Members: |
| Car Pool Folk Quartet
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 | Diva Complex
What do you do with four women who crave constant attention? Diva Complex started in 1995 when these not-exactly-demure women realized the mere adulation they received as professional choral conductors was not sufficient - they wished to be revered as singers also. (And to be perfectly honest, they wanted to spend more quality time together discussing men, massages and M&Ms.) From the moment the Divas take the stage, audiences realize this is no typical girl group. With repertoire ranging from Renaissance to rock and roll, the controlled chaos of the show swings from sensuous to sublime to saucy. You wouldn't expect a group like this to agree on everything; however, they do confess a collective susceptibility to gorgeous harmony, and have been known to weep ecstatically at a really good chord progression (a highly technical phrase learned in their many years of schooling). Diva Complex's exuberant appearances on radio, TV and in sold-out concerts continue to amaze and delight audiences all over California. As expressed by one audience member, "This group brings impeccable musicianship and an irreverent sense of humor together in a performance which can't be missed! Wait a minute? that's the King Singers. Well, Diva Complex is pretty good, too. Great dresses!" Members: Amy Fogerson, Ruth Ballenger, Alison, Lori |
| Insomniacs
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| Kaleidoscope
Kaleioscope, a Sweet Adelines International quartet, was awarded first prize at the organization's 1990 Region 11 novice quartet contest. The quartet has done a wide variety of performances around southern California, including Disneyland and on the Queen Mary. Kaleidoscope was the featured quartet in a July 1991 Chaannelaire Chorus concert tour of Great Britain, performing to enthusiastic audiences in England, Scotland, and Wales. The quartet has performed for the Doo-Wop Society of Southern California, at The Hop in Lakewood, at the Ventura County Fair, and at the annual 1993 through 1996 KVEN "Dave and Bob Talent Shows" raising funds for special Olympics. Members: Theresa Carey, Linda Ragsdale, Bron Latta, Peggy Hels |
| Penticle
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| Quadraphonics
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| Somewhare in Time
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| Tag
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| This Side Up
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| Vocalmotive
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| Yer Father’s Mustache
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Mid-Atlantic
 | Return To Zero
Based out of Orlando, FL, Return To Zero has been in existence not quite two years, but has already sung for thousands. This a cappella group performs full-time at a well-known theme park in the area. They've also been kept busy over the past year with outside gigs and convention dates. These four men sing songs from the 40's through the 90's adding their own dynamic arrangements to ageless songs. In April 95, they took a second place honors, and the best arrangement award at the regional a cappella contest held in Philadelphia. All four men have had extensive experience in a cappella singing throughout Orlando, and, in fact, met while singing. Members: Doug Teel, Andrew C. White, Sammy Pawlak, Marshall Webb |
New York
| Harmonytryx
In the world of a cappella music, Harmonytryx (Har-mo-NEE-trix) is a breath of fresh air! Self-managed and independent, these women entertain audiences with an eclectic mix of pop, folk and world music that ranges from sexy and provocative to soulful and spiritual. Their unique combination of tightly-crafted vocal harmonies, powerful solos, funky vocal percussion and lively humor has captivated audiences throughout the NYC metropolitan area and beyond. Members: |
 | Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage is a group that can only be described as inventive, insane and delightful! Picture the Marx Brothers, Forever Plaid and the Flying Karamozov Brothers rolled into one. Por example, one might witness a lecture on Spatula techniques that goes hilariously awry. Or a capricious, musical history lesson about the "'Histoire du le Burger." Or even a rap number with wildly eclectic choreography. They won a Bistro award for Outstanding Musical Comedy Act by BackStage Magazine and in 1999 they were chosen as the Mid Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes Champions and went on to win "Audience Favorite" in the National Finals. They can be seen pseudo- regularly on the Food Network's, Doorknock Dinners and other TV appearances include The Fox Network, Comedy Central, Good Day New York, The Veronica Network and America's Funniest People(Grand Prize Winners). Members: |
| All So Jimmy
All So Jimmy is a rock band without the band, founded by former Tufts University a cappella heads. All So Jimmy finds a large following in both the Boston area and New York City. Its members bring to the group a wealth of musical experience including a combined 17 years of a cappella singing, arranging and directing. They have performed at New York City's The Bitter End, guest starred on WERS, Boston, and opened for the House Jacks. Their first full-length CD will be released in early summer. Members: |
Pacific Northwest
 | M-Pact
Hailed "one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based ensemble has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature's "first instrument" - the human voice. Their sophisticated sound & accessible appeal have garnered vast accolades, from Vocal Group of the Year (the LA Music Awards), an Indie nomination (the Independent Grammy), & Artist of the Year (Seattle Music Awards), to Grand National Champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes competition. Members: Carl, Matthew Selby, Jonathan, Marco Cassone, Trist Curless |
| 4 Tunes
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| The Edge
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 | Front Page
The Front Page is a mixed quartet who came down all the way from Seattle to be involved in tonight's program. The group has been together for only ten months and in that time has performed for thousands of people throughout the Northwest. Their crowds at fairs, festivals, middle and high schools, colleges, and theatres all around have enjoyed the exciting and Fun Show of The Front Page. The Group started as friends in highly respected music department of Edmunds Community College in Seattle. There, all four sang in the nationally known jazz group, Soundsation. Their music reflects on every generation, from The Coasters, Under The Boardwalk, to 94's hot group Green Day. Members: Jim Castaneda, Danny Figgins, Jeremy Anglin, Laura Etling |
 | Klapa Doo Wopella
Klapa Doo Wopella is one of the world's oldest ongoing musical ensembles devoted exclusively to singing a cappella. KlapaDooWopella specializes in traditional Croatian "Klapa" singing. Klapa singers are a cappella minstrels that hang out on boat docks and street corners along the Adriatic coast of Croatia. The passionate harmonic blend of traditional Klapa songs evokes uncaught fish, raging seas, and lost love. Despite forays into other genres, the quartet always returns to its first love, the moan of the sea that is the primal chord of the Klapa song. Members: |
| Me & The Boys
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| Quarks
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 | Standards
True that it is rare to find such a talent like this among five brothers. A brotherhood that is sure to inspire, motivate and entertain anyone. The Standards - Music for everyone. The human voice, that's how it all started for five brothers who shared a passion for music. Singing together at an early age, they began the makings of this one of a kind vocal group, forging a relationship beyond brotherhood and taking harmony to perfection. Today, they are known as The Standards.The Standards have taken vocal music to a new dimension by creating their own unique style of music with an infectious harmony that speaks to all generations and cultures of music lovers. Members: Jordon Williams, Morgan Williams, Nicholas Williams, Nathan Williams, Quinn Williams |
Rocky Mountain
 | Cool Shooz
Cool Shooz took runner-up at last year's Harmony Sweepstakes. Perennial Sweepstakes fans have seen this group fine-tune their style over the years. Always striving for high energy, tightly harmonic, and raucous Rock & Roll style, these five singers hope that this is their Sweepstakes year. They have performed often over the last year, including the huge Fort Collins 4th of July Celebration, the Greeley Arts Festival, the Glenwood Springs Strawberry Festival, and any number of Corporate functions, parties, weddings, and the occasional "concert under a tent in a raging thunderstorm" that makes a cappella so much fun. So sit back, hold on to your seats, and enjoy the Rock experience that is Cool Shooz. Members: |
| Extempo
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| Neighbors
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| Rhythm Method
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