Flying Without Instruments

Flying Without Instruments, also known as FWI (pronounced "fwee"), a quirky and versatile ensemble, is now in its 18th year. FWI mounts its own concerts in San Francisco and the East Bay and has also sung at private parties, weddings, halfway houses, and religious services, and has performed twice in the regional Harmony Sweeps competition. FWI's repertoire ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime, from the elegant to the uproarious. According to the non-profit group Bread & Roses, FWI's shows are "well-paced, moving nimbly from the sacred to the profane, keeping it interesting and entertaining every step of the way."

Fork

Bands are often formed in a bar after a few drinks. They then perform their own versions of popular songs. Fork's tale had a slightly different start. But Fork is in no way an ordinary band - neither as a rock group nor as an a cappella group. Fork's basic idea is to do things the unconventional way; so the band does rock and pop songs a cappella. When it comes to a cappella Fork has always had a few trump cards of their own up their sleeve. As band so elegantly puts it: Fork does to a cappella what Jimi Hendrix did to guitar music and what Viagra does to a man! This has been the case ever since the three actors and one police man were having a cup of tea in the kitchen of an apartment in Helsinki back in 1996 and decided to start a band. There was just one problem: it was impossible to form a rock band with the instruments the four could play - the piano, the violin, the recorder and the bass. But then it dawned on them; they all could sing!

Four Shadow

Four Shadow, the famous a cappella group from Minneapolis, Minnesota, performs for crowds across the nation, singing over 150 shows a year in over 40 states for audiences of all ages and musical tastes. In addition to a number of original songs, they perform tunes by artists like the Beatles, Paul Simon, the Dave Matthews Band, and Howie Day. Four Shadow has shared the stage with Huey Lewis, the Persuasions, and Lonestar, and performed live on NBC's "Today" show.

Every Four Shadow show is filled with a winning mix of audience interaction, infectious energy, friendly humor and strong a cappella vocals. One of the nation's hottest a cappella groups, these guys demonstrate beyond a doubt that the most powerful and versatile instrument of all is one which we each possess - the human voice.

Fretless

Fretless made its debut in June of 1999 at the First Parish Unitarian Church in Bedford, MA. In 2004, we competed at the Eastern Regional Harmony Sweepstakes at Tufts University's Cohen Auditorium, winning third place. In 2005, we produced our first CD entitled "All the Things We Are".

Fretless weaves the soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass voices of five accomplished performers into a tapestry of lush harmonies and fascinating lyrics. Our repertoire includes an adventurous mix of lively pop songs, Broadway classics, demanding classical works, and off-beat selections from the great American songbook.

Groove Barbers

An a cappella supergroup? Sounds paradoxical, absurd, perhaps even dangerous; indeed, The GrooveBarbers is all these things. Each member of this all-vocal powerhouse quartet is a bona fide star in his own right: Sean Altman, Charlie Evett and Steve Keyes are former members of the pioneering contemporary a cappella group Rockapella, and Kevin Weist is a renowned bald vocal guru. Collectively they have established themselves as the "go to" vocal group for rock, doo-wop, jazz and even (no way!) barbershop! The GrooveBarbers were featured in not one but two national TV commercials as The Astelins, the deliriously suave vocal group that offers Astelin nasal spray to seasonal allergy sufferers.

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.

Heebee-jeebees

The Heebee-jeebees are an a cappella quartet formed in 1993, and in the past 13 years have sung thousands of performances, appeared on local, national and international radio, television and print. The group has a reputation for being hilarious, entertaining and extremely talented. The Heebee-jeebees have released 6 recordings, all to international recognition including 4 CARA nominations and 2 CARA Awards. They have won the Canadian Championships of Harmony twice, as well as Championships in the USA. They continue to impress and entertain audiences with their voices, and are considered the best of comedic a cappella entertainment. .... The Heebee-jeebees are: Cedric Blary, Chris Herard, Ken Lima-Coelho and Jonathan Love. .... NOTE: Some incorrect spellings of the Heebee-jeebees are: .. ..heebie geebies.. ..heebee jeebies.. ..heebie jeebies.. ..heebee jeebees (needs the - ).. .. These are put here so the search engines pick up our profile.

Home Free

A cappella. It's technically what we do. But we're not your bow-tie barbershop quartet. We're a vocal band. Which means we do more than sing - we perform - engaging audiences in a rich blend of harmonies while entertaining them.

Home Free has performed for a diverse and extensive clientele, ranging from the Minnesota Vikings, to Fortune 500 companies, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines, Allied Concert touring services, the Dutton Family from America's Got Talent and many, many more. It also devotes its time to educating and encouraging music in the public schools through innovative workshops and concert fundraising. To date, its programs have already raised tens of thousands of dollars for schools in Minnesota.

Honey Whiskey Trio

Honey Whiskey Trio blends sounds and styles from folk, bluegrass and jazz. This trio found its roots in the vocal jazz department of CSU Long Beach where the members all studied with Christine Guter, though at different times. Years later, well into their own careers as musicians and educators, the need for a new outlet for musical exploration brought Courtney, Ann and Christina together and the Honey Whiskey Trio was formed.

Hookslide

We are a vocal band based in San Francisco, CA. We perform a high energy mix of mind blowing vocal percussion, booming bass and screaming four-part harmony that is guaranteed to knock you out! We invite you to listen to our song clips, check out our new album, and sign our guestbook. We hope to see you soon at one of our concerts!

We were recently guests on an episode of the Discovery Channel program MythBusters, where we attempted to put out a fire by singing at it. Look for re-airings of the episode entitled Voice Flame Extinguisher on the Discovery Channel.

House Jacks

The House Jacks of San Francisco are the original rock band without instruments. Using nothing more than their five voices (and mouths), they deliver everything from blistering funk to screaming rock to heart-melting ballads for their ever-growing legions of fans.

These pioneering musicians have performed over 1,000 shows and have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, having performed for live crowds of 100,000+, with appearances on at least 3 continents each year.

They can be heard on movie soundtracks and their jingles for everything from radio stations to theme parks have been heard (and seen) by millions around the world. The House Jacks of San Francisco are the original rock band without instruments. Using nothing more than their five voices (and mouths), they deliver everything from blistering funk to screaming rock to heart-melting ballads for their ever-growing legions of fans.

Hyannis Sound

Founded in 1994, the Hyannis Sound organization strives to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the young men who fill its ranks each summer. Through their experiences with the group, these men garner valuable skills in performance, business management, and musical direction. While growing as individuals, they also form countless friendships and become members of a brotherhood that last a lifetime.

The Sound gathers each year around Memorial Day, and spends the summer performing at private and public functions across the Cape and the greater Northeast of the U.S. Whether performing at a graduation party, one of their weekly shows, or street singing, the Hyannis Sound aims to provide a unique and interactive entertainment experience that keeps their audiences coming back for more.

III Of A Kind

p>In 1994, three people found out that they were indeed, III of A Kind. Edward, Gelo and Annie were actively involved in singing since childhood, harmonizing in choirs and singing groups. All III studied at the University of the Philippines College of Music and met when they all joined the world renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers. Although all III are trained classical singers, they were always chosen to do the solos of the pop songs the Madrigals included in their repertoire. Soon, all III were in demand as session vocalists singing commercial jingles and doing back-up vocals for major artist in recordings and live concerts, and sought-after as voice teachers, vocal coaches and choral conductors.

Inpulse

Based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, InPulse is a rocking vocal band whose five members are all classically trained vocalists. They entertain all kinds of audiences with an energetic concert performance that includes famous vocal percussionist Paul Donnelly. The ensemble has won the National Harmony Sweepstakes Denver competition. InPulse also endeavors to advance the art of a cappella through original music, and the education of young singers. The group has worked with nearly 3,000 students in the past year with its educational outreach clinic to teach and promote the art of vocal music through hands-on experience.

InsideOut

The six-man, all-vocal group, InsideOut, is rapidly establishing a reputation for exceptional entertainment. With their musical capability, surprising vocal percussion, and captivating performances, InsideOut has entertained both small and large audiences across the West.

Before becoming a part of InsideOut, each member of the group was involved in performing in other vocal groups, such as the well-known BYU Men's Chorus. The group had its beginning in the winter of 1997. Two brothers, Ben and Layne Haacke, pulled in Kimball Brown, a home town friend, Ryan Hinton, a "real" bass, and some other local singers to form InsideOut. It started as a hobby, and they performed for friends and the local a cappella club. A couple of members left the group at the end of the school semester, so InsideOut recruited the last two members of the current group to replace them. Paul Hatch was brought on as a high tenor, and Jason Smith filled in with his exceptional vocal percussion.

Irrationals

Intimate, witty and intelligent songsters, the award-winning Irrationals, are an a cappella ensemble acclaimed for their rich, complex vocal style. The delicious blending of their voices has been described as "cafe mocha for the ears." Singing together for almost twelve years, this six-member, Berkeley-based group is praised for its harmonic excellence and diverse repertoire. The Irrationals often perform songs about the unpredictable. They are dazzled by the irrationality of love, awed by the intuitive nature of life and intrigued by things that don't make sense.

The Irrationals' sound has an African American foundation that is used to explore pop, R&B, jazz, folk and rock. A core blend of three soulful women enhanced by bass, tenor and percussive vocal elements creates an exquisitely layered melodic mix. Whether it's Stevie Wonder with a rap twist, Annie Lennox, Talking Heads, the Neville Brothers or a romantic folk song, the Irrationals are playful, distinctive and sometimes irreverent.

Key of She

Key Of She started in 2001 and a year later won the coveted "Audience Favorite" title and runner-up at the 11th Annual New York Harmony Sweepstakes. Since then, they've been on quite a ride. In May 2002, they opened for Ray Charles at the 1400-seat Union County Arts Center in Rahway, NJ. In December 2004, they appeared on the nationally-syndicated Jane Pauley Show. In between, Key of She has performed at Philadelphia's Annual Paradigm Award Luncheon, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's Women's Initiative, Philadelphia's Heart Ball Patrons Party, Phoenixville PA's A Cappella Jam, New Hope, PA's Bastille Day Celebration, Philadelphia's Annual Women of Distinction Awards Dinner, Montgomery Township's Cultural Arts Center. and annual fundraisers for Princeton Friends School and The Princeton Girlchoir. On New Year's Eves 2002, 2003 and 2004, Key of She took center stage at Newtown, PA's annual First Night.

Kickshaw

Kickshaw has been performing in the Northwest for about five years now. They have been involved in hundreds of shows, where each audience is a part of a unique mouth-music experience.

In early 1997, Kickshaw won first place in the Regional Harmony Sweepstakes competition. This is a title only awarded to nine groups throughout the nation each year. Following the 1997 competition, Kickshaw decided that they were ready to pursue music full time.

In search of their own sound, Kickshaw began working with some effects to extend their already eclectic repertoire. This addition was an instant hit with their audiences as they were able to create the sounds of a full band, effects and all, with just their voices giving Kickshaw a sound all their own.

Kinsey Sicks

With a phenomenal performance record that includes an Off-Broadway show, an extended run in Vegas, two feature films, seven albums and appearances throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, the Kinsey Sicks hardly need an introduction. For over 16 years America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet has served up a feast of music and comedy to audiences at performing arts centers, music venues and comedy festivals in every kind of town you can imagine, in over 40 states! Their award-winning a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag have earned the Kinsey Sicks a diverse and devoted following.

Knudsen Brothers

SIX are six real brothers. They actually come from a family of ten brothers, no sisters and are the six oldest in the family. Apparently their mom and dad (Arnold and Joyce Knudsen) wanted a girl.

Barry Knudsen is the eldest and was born in Davenport, Iowa. Kevin Knudsen is second and was born in Farmington, New Mexico. Lynn Knudsen is third and was born in Mesa, Arizona. Jak Knudsen is fourth and was born in El Paso, Texas. Owen Knudsen is fifth and was born in Seattle, Washington and Curtis Knudsen, number six, was born in Seattle as well. Their father worked where he could to support his family which explains their nomadic beginnings.

The four younger brothers are a huge support to their six older performing brothers and play an important part behind the scenes.

Listen Up!

Harmony, humor and vocal pyrotechnics. Listen Up! delivers a truly unique approach to Jewish entertainment. Our performances create a special connection families and communities across the US. See our website (link below) for testimonials, videos of our rehearsal and performances, and information about our recordings.

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.

Magnets

They are the singing secret that the stars have kept to themselves, the vocal group with a word-of-mouth reputation for spicing up the parties of supermodels, heads of state and billionaires with their blend of razor-sharp harmonies and jaw dropping beatboxing. But now, after selling out London's legendary Roundhouse, a series of electrifying festival appearances and a starring role in the latest T-Mobile flash-mob advert The Magnets are emerging as one of the must see acts on the current British music scene.

Literally a 'six-man sound machine', The Magnets make all their music with their mouths alone, including the drums of vocal percussionist/beatboxer Andy Frost and the richly textured bass of Fraser Collins. However, this is no attempt to mimick instruments, but rather the blending of six distinctive voices to create a unique sound that rivals any band with guitars and keyboards.

Mansound

ManSound celebrates the versatility of the human voice. Their harmonious accordance, amazing vocal skills, rich timbre palette, emotion and naturalness make the group a favorite among admirers of high-quality vocal music. They have received recognition by audiences and music critics all over the world.

ManSound, an a cappella sextet from Kiev, Ukraine, got its start in 1994 as an idea of composer and arranger Vladimir Mikhnovetsky. The group consists of experienced professionals and it is a permanent participant of international jazz festivals and concerts.

From the beginning of the group, they have travelled far and wide, performing with great success. The group gave several dozen concerts in four states on the West Coast of the United States in 1996, performing for churches and universities.

Marcoux Corner

The first thing you notice when you see Marcoux Corner is the sound, it's pure vocal extravagance. This four piece A Cappella group combines over 20 years of voice lessons and vocal study at one of the country's most prestigious colleges for vocal performance, Concordia College in Moorhead.

The sound they produce when they join in harmony will make you rethink your attitude about music. It is, at the same time, beautiful and full of so much energy you can't help but tap your toe and grin from ear to ear. That is what separates Marcoux Corner from everyone else on the scene today, toe-tapping FUN. Kevin, Brent, Josh and Dave step onto the stage and the audience becomes part of the show. These guys don't stand up there and just perform; they engage everyone through the sheer force of their individual personalities.

Maybe6ix

Maybe6ix is an a-cappella group from Italy, bringing the best italian and foreign songs into their shows in Italy and abroad. Their arrangements, provided by the some of the band members, blend pop and rock music with polyphony; they form the backbone of Maybe6ix educational projects, carried out in schools to bring young people closer to a-cappella singing. This is fully shown on their debut album issued in 2009, displaying a selection of famous italian pop songs, some of which have been chosen for the compilations "A-Cappella Made in Italy" and "Sing Six - Sunny side up"

MeasureXmeasure

Hailed by critics as "a high-energy vocal phenomenon that'll simply knock your socks off!" (JazzBeat), measureXmeasure (measure by measure) is an a cappella sensation that proves the human voice is indeed the most versatile of all instruments. Despite what the listeners' ears may tell them, mXm uses no drum machines, synthesizers, pre-recorded material or instruments of any kind. Every sound - whether it be soaring five-part vocal harmonies, jaw-dropping vocal bass, or astonishing beat-box vocal percussion - is produced live by the voices of these five young men. Originally formed in the mid-1990's as a student group at the University of Kansas, the Kansas City-based quintet now travels coast-to-coast year-round headlining concerts halls, festivals and college campuses everywhere.

Metropolitones

Founded in 2001, The MetropoliTones is a New York City based a cappella group composed of graduates from the Seven Sisters colleges. When not working our day jobs (running conferences, crunching numbers on Wall Street or digging for fossils), we can be found adding musical pizazz to corporate, private and sporting events in the tri- state area. The MetropoliTones have performed at Cipriani, The New York Athletic Club, The Bitter End, The Pierre Hotel, Ronald McDonald House, The Bronx Zoo, Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, Madison Square Garden, Prudential Center and Giants Stadium.

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).

Moira Smiley and VOCO

Moira Smiley & VOCO is a visionary blend of voices - redefining harmony singing with the power & physicality of folksong, the avant-garde fearlessness of Bela Bartok and the delicious, vaudevillian accompaniment of cello, banjo, accordion and body percussion. Moira Smiley leads an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who share a passion for spreading powerful, emotional music with lush four-part vocal harmony, cello, accordion and banjo. Original improvisation-built songs steeped in Appalachia and Eastern Europe.

Named #1 a cappella group in the U.S. in 2007, VOCO is the energy of street singing and the elegance of a string quartet. Recently featured in Dirty Linen and on more than 100 radio stations nationwide on NPR's "Harmonia", VOCO has released two critically acclaimed CDs in '08-'09: "Small Worlds" and "Circle, Square, Diamond & Flag". VOCO is sweet, hard-driving Americana mixed with crooked eastern European dance and dissonance. It's all rounded out with body-stompin' percussive movement and joyous, magnificent, hair-raising harmonies - music that mourns and dances at the same time.

Moosebutter

Moosebutter is a four-man comedy a cappella group. They have won awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Society(Best Comedy Song, 2004), The Harmony Sweepstakes (2003 International Finals runners-up), had their music included on compilation albums (Doctor Demento Basement Tapes 2005, Sing II 2005) and played live shows in front of audiences around the United States. Their tight harmony and eclectic humor have charmed audiences through two albums and countless live performances.

To handle all the performance requests they receive, moosebutter has several casts of performers. They perform with three, four, or five singers, depending on the show, and have done just about every kind of show you can imagine (Punk rock show? Check. National television? Check. Wedding reception? Check.).

MuSix

Berlin-Friedrichshain, 1997: six musically talented students form themselves into a vocal sextet, in order to bridge the free hour before the school choir practice. A little later they change their name to "Musix" and make a full evening program off the ground, using the slogan "Let us go out there and inspire people!" That they would 13 years later, belong to one of the most popular a cappella bands in Germany, could not even imagine.

The fan base has since increased steadily, because "muSix" entertained with creative arrangements and a very own band's sound, which sounds exactly as it is called - for a band!

Initially specialized in the 6 to imitate famous pop and rock songs and reinterpret them. They discovered that one for a crisp groove does not necessarily need instruments. With bass and drums mouth "they have the most important elements of a band so in their own ranks.

Naturally 7

The origins of the group date back to New York City in 1999 when Roger Thomas started the group with his brother, Warren, and five other talented singers they had come to know over the years from singing around the city. Having been in and out of several traditional male groups over the years, Roger developed an affinity for a cappella sounds and a unique ability to create distinct harmony arrangements. When invited to sing at a major a cappella competition in New York, they won the competition, moved onto the nationals and took away two more wins.

Riding the wave of this newfound success and still unable to decide if Naturally 7 were going to be an a cappella group or a traditional band, Roger had a novel idea: they could be both.

Neri Per Caso

Neri per Caso (Black by Chance) are an Italian sextet from Salerno who sing a cappella, without the aid of instruments. The group began to sing a cappella in '91, but the members of the group have known each other since childhood. In fact, Domenico Pablo (a.k.a. Mimi') and Gonzalo are brothers and cousins of Ciro and Diego, who themselves are brothers, all of them having the surname Caravano. However, the Caravanos have known Mario (Crescenzo) and Massimo (de Divitiis), the other two members, since their days in middle school. Every member of the group can play one or more musical instruments, Ciro and Diego graduated from music schools, but none of the members has ever taken singing classes. Before fame came knocking on their door, Neri per Caso used to sing in local pubs, cruise ships and popular parties. In 1995, the six ragazzi from Salerno exploded onto the Italian pop music scene. Neri per Caso participated in the "Sanremo Festival", the most important music festival in Italy and won first place in the category of "New Talents" with the hit song "Le Ragazze" (girls), and right away they were requested on every radio and TV broadcast in Italy.

Nota

The members of Nota have devoted much of their lives to singing a capella. Their passion for this art form is clear when you watch them perform. They live to bring joy to others by sharing their love for singing and performance.

They were the opening act for Shakira's US tour this fall, a great honor that left them humbled and overjoyed. They performed in front of hundreds of thousands of Shakira fans who sang along with them, got up and danced, and cheered for them with genuine enjoyment, a reaction that is rarely given to supporting acts.

Nota have been on a journey since the NBC show The Sing Off in 2009 where American audiences voted for them as winners of the series. Since then, they have astounded audiences across the country and in their homeland of Puerto Rico with performances that you have to see to believe.

Nylons

In 1979 four Toronto actors, "resting" and bored between auditions and jobs, decided to create a band. Problem: Paul Cooper, Mark Connors, Claude Morrison and Denis Simpson weren't instrumentalists, but, dammit, they sure could sing. The four were singing their hearts out in the back room of a Toronto deli, and soon there were little after-hours gigs and some benefit performances.

With a reputation building in Queen Street "art" circles, The Nylons - named in the style of black vocal groups like The Orlons and The Chiffons - were ready for prime time. In April 1979 the group had its first "professional" engagement in an upstairs (and unlicensed) club across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.

Octappella

The 8 members of Octappella originally met while singing in a college musical ensemble. Motivated by their friendship and passion for music, they formed Octappella in the summer of 1999 and now work to promote the popular and growing genre of a cappella music. Proud to be a unique and sought-after a capella group specializing in vocal instrumentation and complex, tight harmonies, the members of Octappella have sought distinction in their artistic interpretation, vocal ability, musical arrangements, and performance personality. They've recorded two albums, made numerous radio and television appearances, and have performed at many university, corporate and community events. They were featured performers during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games and appeared on international and national television and radio broadcasts. The members of Octappella comprise a broad collection of performance experience and musical talent. Their repertoire features a variety of musical genres spanning many decades, including old and new, classical and popular, as well as holiday and inspirational. Their diverse song selections, "marinated with the Octappella flavor," utilize rich harmonies with amazing vocal instrumentation and percussion.

Overboard

Founded in the spring of 2006 by current director Nicholas Girard, Overboard is a male a cappella group from Boston, MA. Although Overboard's repertoire consists primarily of contemporary pop/rock songs, including covers from such artists as Rascall Flatts, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles, the group remains true to its a cappella roots and continues to perform classic selections such as "Blue Moon," "In The Still of the Night" and "Stand By Me."

First conceived as a street performance group intent on entertaining audiences around coastal New England during the summer months, Overboard has come a long way in a short time. The group's first album, Shipwrecked, was recorded in Nick's living room and was released during that first summer. Shipwrecked was distributed during frequent busking stops in Newburyport, MA; Freeport, ME and Burlington, VT, as well as around the group's hometown of Boston.

Pentatonix

Pentatonix (often abbreviated as PTX) is an American a cappella group of five vocalists originating from Arlington, Texas; Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee. Avi Kaplan was formerly a member of the group. Their work - mostly in, but not limited to, the pop music style - consists of covers of existing songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, and some original material. Their music is defined by their own arrangement style, a strong presence of low bass vocals, and a diverse range of vocal percussion. In 2011 they won the 3rd season of "The Sing-Off". This won them $200,000 and a recording contract. Since then Pentatonix has been selling out shows all over the world.

Persuasions

With a career spanning half a century and showing no signs of retiring any time soon, the Persuasions continue to take on new and exciting musical projects. Over the summer of '09, it was the music of J.J. Cale, featuring the powerhouse baritone/tenor of "Sweet" Joe Russell on "I'll Make Love To You," and basso profundo, Jimmy Hayes on "Travelin' Light." Continuing the tradition of in-house self-arranging and producing, the group is now joined by Dave Revels, former member of the Drifters and long time Persuasions friend (who sang with them on their Beatles tribute CD and later arranged and produced their U2 tribute CD) as producer/arranger of the group's recording projects, along with Jimmy Hayes. Since the departure of lead singer Jerry Lawson, the "Pers" have regrouped and continue to perform nationwide to rave reviews.

Rajaton

The Finnish word Rajaton translates as "boundless" - a word that so accurately describes the way this six-voice a cappella ensemble approaches music. Regularly performing over 100 concerts and workshops each year, Rajaton exposes audiences to the kind of diversity of repertoire, singing style, and stage presentation that has made them a phenomenon on the world stage.

Performing at concert halls, churches, jazz and choral festivals, this distinct group of musicians approaches all styles of music with the same level of commitment and integrity, making it difficult to imagine an audience that Rajaton could not inspire, or a type of music Rajaton could not make its own.

Return 2 Zero

Andrew C. White, Sammy Pawlak, Marshall Webb, and Doug Teel began singing together in the early nineties while performing with the Hollywood Hi-Tones at Universal Studios Florida. Return 2 Zero was formed in 1994 and began singing at various theme parks and conventions. They competed in several national a cappella competitions, winning prestigious honors in group and arrangement categories. The extraordinary arranging talents of Doug Teel and Marshall Webb have carved out the sound that millions have grown to love from Return 2 Zero. For 14 years "the guys" surprised and delighted crowds daily at Disney's Hollywood Studios as "Four for a Dollar" They have most recently been seen at Sea World Orlando singing at the Polar Express Experience.

Other clients include Coca Cola, Hallmark, McDonald's, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Kansas City Royals, and many more.

Richter Scales

The Richter Scales are a bevy of gentlemen songsters, all residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. They perform selections from a wide variety of genres, including American standards, Broadway, Motown, and contemporary music..

Formed originally as a band of semi-organized scavengers in the wreckage of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the "Richter Scabs" (as they were then known) didn't actually "sing a cappella" until the Fall of 2000. The intervening period, known as "The Lost Years" by current group members, was filled with raucous enterprises involving menial labor and incarceration. Most of those "tall tales" are, unfortunately, wholly inappropriate for these pages..

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.

Rockapella

As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of "contemporary" a cappella, Rockapella has shown every audience the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. "There's nothing in the way between us and the audience; it's very human music," says Rockapella's human beatbox Jeff Thacher. No instruments, no tracks, no mirrors...but never lame.

Since the early '90's when they first achieved national television fame on PBS's Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?, they've toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it all fresh along the way. With buckets of catchy original pop songs, and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling Motown, pop, and soul classics, this group has always been the one to watch.

Roomful of Teeth

Roomful of Teeth is an eight-voice vocal ensemble that embraces the full spectrum of vocal practices and, through an on-going commissioning project, develops new compositions for voices.

Founded in 2008 by singer, conductor and composer Brad Wells, Roomful of Teeth is built on the premise that the membranes that separate one vocal technique or style from another are permeable, that any singer can learn any "non-native" singing language.

International experts in a wide range of vocal techniques - throat singers Ayan-ool Sam and Sean Quirk of Alash, belting coach Gayle Lockwood, and master yodeler Kerry Christensen - trained the singers in their respective styles. Next, composers Judd Greenstein of NOW Ensemble and New Amsterdam Records, Rinde Eckert, finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, and Brian Simalchik of Williams College wrote music tailored specifically to the singers and their now wider range of vocal techniques. The collective performed these works, as well as compositions by members of the ensemble, (all music written in the space of eight days) to a sell out audience on Friday, June 26 at Mass MoCA.

Six Appeal

Is Six Appeal a comedy group, a vocal ensemble, or a rock band? Audiences have been trying to answer that question for years. Swearing off instruments, Six Appeal uses a cappella singing to span decades of classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes. Featuring vocal dexterity and adventurous song selection, the group explores all genres with a far-reaching repertoire that will surprise and captivate audiences regardless of the setting. Despite their cheeky group name, the antics of these six young gentlemen provide a good natured atmosphere for their electrifying performance. A Six Appeal show will split your sides, feed your musical sweet tooth, and leave you wondering how in the world they pulled it off just with voices.

Slammin All Body Band

Slammin All Body Band is a powerhouse sextet from Oakland, CA, performing a fresh mix of a cappella singing, beatboxing and body music. Deeply rooted in Jazz, Funk, R&B and World Music grooves, this ferociously talented ensemble creates soulful sounds infused with infectious harmonies and lightening-fast improvisations, percussively punctuated by beatboxing and body music -- the kinetic component that sets SLAMMIN apart and on the cutting edge of a cappella performance.

Solstice

Solstice is a female vocal ensemble specializing in music written by women or for women's voices. Our music spans many different genres with an emphasis on world, classical, pop, and jazz. We are also committed to performing new works for women's voices and regularly compose, commission, and arrange new songs.

Solstice has performed in many Bay Area venues including Freight and Salvage, La Pena, the San Francisco Community Music Center, Music on the Hill, the Berkeley Arts Center, Trinity Chamber Music series, and Villa Montalvo. Solstice has also performed on KALW's Folk Music and Beyond On-Air Folk Festival.

Sonos

In December 2008, Los Angeles vocal collective Sonos debuted at the Hotel Cafe with an "intimate, yet scorching performance... brimming with fiery fervor, major dynamics and sexual tension" (Deli Magazine LA ). The group breathes new life into a cappella , giving the genre "a contemporary makeover... prepare to be stunned" (The Guardian UK) on their debut SONOSings, available September 15 on Verve Forecast, on which the group combines a rich, classically choral sensibility with their ultra-modern repertoire and sonic toolkit.

Sonos's imaginative approach has already won plaudits from such tastemakers as Chris Douridas of L.A. bellwether station KCRW-FM, who praised Sonos's "innovative vocal arrangements" and "inspired repertoire, supremely delivered."