Formed in 1987, Voice Trek makes their home in St. Paul, Minnesota. A well-respected ingredient in Minnesota jazz, the five singers of Voice Trek are: Shelley Plaster Jwanouskos Soprano, Vicki Plaster Kueppers Second Soprano, Rae Plaster Allaire Alto, Denis Allaire Tenor, Kevin Smith Bass. Educated in both classical and jazz idioms, each member of the group contributes to Voice Trek's distinctive sound. The combination of the sisters' natural blend, and the warm rich voices of the men give strength to their five-part vocal scats and fullness to their lush harmonies, while some of their most acclaimed and impressive arrangements are performed a cappella. All studied with acclaimed jazz educator and arranger, Phil Mattson. As teacher, mentor, and friend, Phil gave Voice Trek the inspiration and education to become a "world class" professional vocal ensemble. In addition to performance, Voice Trek has become increasingly sought after for a variety of recording projects and educational workshops. As a part of Voice Trek's ongoing commitment to jazz/vocal education, the group is available for workshops and residency activities in middle schools, high schools, and universities.
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That's What She Says Ticket to Ride Take Five Both Sides Now The William Tell Overture A Little Luck Fly Me to the Moon The Windmills of Your Mind Rosanna America the Beautiful |
St. Paul, MN-based 3-woman, 2-man jazz quintet Voice Trek has a rich, clean, poised sound, and arrangements that can turn very familiar tunes like the Beatles' "Ticket to Ride," Dave Brubeck's jazz anthem "Take Five," Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and Michel LeGrand's "Windmills of Your Mind" and turn them into new songs, unexpectedly tasty musical treats. There's a spirited, sassy cover of Rossini's "William Tell Overture" that would have the Swingles looking over their shoulders, Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon" becomes a (lightly accompanied) scattish, salsa romp, and Toto's "Rosanna" is a finger-snapping winner, as is Brazilian composer Manfredo Fest's energetic "That's What She Says." A bonus track, "America the Beautiful," was included "after the tremendous response from the a cappella community when they performed it at the West Coast Summit!" 11 songs, each a many-faceted gem. "An A cappella Trek," Voice Trek's 5th recording, is a joy from beginning to end, one of the best Vocal Jazz CDs we've heard this year!
Listen to Take Five in Real Audio
| 4456 CD $15.98 |
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It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Oh Come All Ye Faithful Coventry Carol Do Your Hear What I Hear? Snowfall Happy Holidays / The Holiday Season Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Let It Snow Silent Night Go Tell It To The Mountain Hallelujah! |
It's a contemporary jazz Christmas with bright, talented Voice Trek, Shelley Plaster, Vicki Plaster, Rae Plaster, Denis Allaire and Kevin Smith. There's only one a cappella cut on this CD, "Coventry Carol"Ðthat said, the jazz accompaniment is hot, and this CD cooks! This is a great CD to heat up the crowd at your Christmas party. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" grabs you and slaps an eggnog in your hand. Just listen to the scat singing on "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." 12 songs, mostly of brilliantly arranged carols you may or may not recognize. Look out, Old Santa's back!
Listen to "Silent Night" in Real Audio.
| 4456 CD $14.98 |
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Yesterdays Nina Jamaica Farewell Not Like This La Fiesta Mickey's Diner You're Everything Peace At Last |
Voice Trek established their reputation as one of the premiere vocal groups
through the release of three seasonal albums (Christmas). For years they have
been implored by fans to record a jazz record to which their lush harmonies
are so suited. Thus, after 10 years of singing together, they recorded At Last.
Three sisters, Shelley, Vicki, and Rae, are complemented by tenor Denis Alaire,
and baritone Howard Hilde in this primarily accompanied selection of 9 songs
which are each long enough for thorough expression.Though accompaniment includes
a piano/bass/drum combo and midi, rich vocals toward the easy listening end
of the jazz spectrum are substance of this recording.
| 9232 CD $14.98 |
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The First Noel Sussex Carol O Come, O Come Emmanuel Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming O Holy Night! I Wonder As I Wander The Coventry Carol What Child Is This? Still, Still, Still Silent Night The Wexford Carol Ave Maria |
An American six-piece ensemble featuring three sisters, Voice Trek has a fluid
sound as smooth and light as just-fallen snow. The CD is mostly accompanied
by piano and a restrained orchestra, and also combines elements of nature, such
as birds chirping, church bells and valley streams. These added elements are
pleasant and are used harmoniously, as in the gusts of wintery wind that introduce
"The First Noel" "O Come, O Come Emanuel," "Lo, How
A Rose E're Blooming" and "The Coventry Caro" are strictly a
cappella.
| 9234 CD $14.98 |
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The Christmas Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentelmen Here We Come a Caroling Mary's Lullaby Deck the Halls Gleigh Ride A Child is Born Ah Bleak & Chill the Wintery Mind Jingle Bells We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
Three sisters - Rae, Vicki and Shelley - are the core of this
mixed group's clean and contemporary jazz sound. About half accompanied, the
CD begins with a Gene Puerling arrangement of "The Christmas Song" (a second
Puerling chart, "Deck The Halls," is a cappella). Michele Weir's version of
"A Child Is Born" (certainly one of the loveliest of Christmas carols) includes
a vocal trombone solo by Denis Allaire. Phil Mattson's a cappella "Here We Come
A Caroling" offsets the first verse with a delightful four-bar countermelody;
it's these little touches that elevate a song from the pedestrian to the remarkable.
| 9233 CD $14.98 |
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To Be Sung Of A Summer Night On The Water The Lords Prayer Cavatina Adoro Te Devote An Angels Song Sanctus For The Beauty Of The Earth Gymnopedie Ubi Caritus Clair De Lune The Lord Bless You And Keep You |
Review pending
| 4461 CD $14.98 |
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The Swan Ave Maria Agnus Dei In Paradisum All Things Bright And Beautiful Reverie Pange Lingua (Chant) Tantum Ergo Panis Angelicus Beati Quorum Via Pavane Gaelic Blessing (Deep Peace) |
Review pending
| 4462 CD $14.98 |
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The Lord's Prayer Adoro Te Devote Agnus Dei Sanctus Pange Lingue Tantum Ergo Panis Angelicus Ave Maria Ubi Caritas In Paradisum The Lord Bless You & Keep You |
Review pending
| 3058 CD $14.98 |
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