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Rockapella

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Rockapella

Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group formed in 1986 in New York City. They were best known for their series of Folgers Coffee commercials and their participation on the long-running PBS children's geography game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, as well with the show's theme song. "Rockapella" is a portmanteau of "rock" and "a cappella". In addition to original vocal music, the group also performs a cappella covers of pop songs.

Band history

The original group members consisted of Brown University alumni Elliott Kerman, David Stix, Sean Altman, and Steve Keyes. Stix left the group early on and was replaced with Charlie Evett, who was replaced after a short time by Barry Carl. After having performed on New York City street corners for passers-by the group met a producer who found them a spot on the television show Spike & Co.: Do It A Cappella, hosted by Spike Lee. It was this show that put them in the national spotlight. The text "All sounds provided by the voices and appendages of Rockapella," the central idea of the group, appears on the group's North American label debut, Don't Tell Me You Do.

Keyes departed from the group in 1991; with new high tenor Scott Leonard, the group became the house band of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? that same year. The theme song utilized a vocal percussionist; Jeff Thacher would join as permanent vocal percussionist in 1993. After the show ended in 1996, Altman left the following year, and was replaced by Kevin Wright; this lineup appeared in the commercials for Folger's. Barry Carl and Elliott were later replaced by George Baldi III and John K. Brown, respectively. Kevin Wright announced in August 2009 that he will be leaving the group to spend more time with his family; his last performance was December 22, 2009.[1][2]

None of the original members of the band remained in the group as of 2004. Founding members Sean Altman, Steve Keyes, Charlie Evett, and non-Rockapella-related baritone Kevin Weist now comprise an a cappella group called The GrooveBarbers. They can be seen on a nationwide television ad for Astelin nasal spray as 'The Astelins'. Altman also has become known for his comedy solo act, "Jewmongous". Founding member Elliott Kerman is working independently on jazz music compilations. Carl recorded a solo album in 2004 and has pursued various musical and voice-over opportunities, as well as enjoying his semi-retirement. Since 2008, Altman, Keyes, Kerman and Carl have also occasionally reunited for concerts as an ensemble called XRP, which stands for "Ex Rockapella". The group also recorded a song for "Schoolhouse Rock" in 2008.[3] and has done various other projects as members' schedules and enthusiasm allow.

Membership history

Year High tenor Tenor Baritone /
Second tenor 		Bass Vocal
percussion
1986 Steve Keyes* Sean Altman* Elliott Kerman* David Stix
1987
Charlie Evett
1988
1989 Barry Carl*
1990
1991 Scott Leonard
1992
1993 Jeff Thacher
1994
1995
1996
1997 Kevin Wright
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003 George Baldi III
2004 John K. Brown
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010 Steve Dorian

* Steve Keyes, Sean Altman, Elliott Kerman, and Barry Carl have done several concerts together after all had left Rockapella, billing themselves as "XRP". Charlie Evett has joined XRP on stage for a song at at least one of those concerts.

Temporary members

  • Kenny X - Vocal percussion (1992 touring)
  • David Yazbek - Vocal percussion (1992) (on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego soundtrack)

Discography

Domestic releases

Release Date Album Line-up Label
June 2004 Live In Japan Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher Shakariki Records
November 2002 Comfort & Joy Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher Amerigo Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
August 2002 Smilin' Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Baldi, Thacher Amerigo Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
March 2001 In Concert Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher J-Bird Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
October 2000 Christmas Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher J-Bird Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
March 2000 2 Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher J-Bird Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
February 1999 Don't Tell Me You Do Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher J-Bird Records
Re-released on Shakariki Records in 2004
Mid-1997 Rockapella aka 'Devilbaby' Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Independent
Mid-1996 Lucky Seven Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Independent
Mid-1995 Primer Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Independent

International releases

Year Album Line-up Label
2002 In Concert Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Rentrak Records
November 2001 Christmas Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Rentrak Records
November 1996 Lucky Seven:
Memories And Dreams 		Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher For Life Records
November 1994 Out Cold Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher ForLife Records
April 1994 Vocobeat Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher ForLife Records
December 1992 Bash! Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl ForLife Records
May 1992 From N.Y. Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl ForLife Records
May 1992 To N.Y. Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl ForLife Records

Compilations

Release Date Album Line-up Label
September 2002 Best A Cappella Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher ForLife Records
2002 More Than Ever Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher Rentrak Records
November 1995 Best Fest Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher For Life Records

Various releases

Year Album Line-up Song
2007 Hokie Nation: An A Cappella Tribute Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Carl, Thacher "I'll Hear Your Voice"
2002 20 Christmas Stars, Vol. IV Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher "Merry Christmas Darling"
1996 Voices Only: A Cappella Originals Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher "Bed Of Nails"
1993 Carmen Sandiego: Out of This World Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl, Thacher "Big Wet Rag"
1993 Put On Your Green Shoes Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl "Light Of The Sun" w/Richie Havens
1993 Muppet Beach Party Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl "PapaOomMowMow"
1992 Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl "Capital"
"Everything To Me"
"My Home"
"Let's Get Away From It All"
"Indiana"
"Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?"
1992 Modern A Cappella Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl "Zombie Jamboree"
1991 Zappa's Universe Leonard, Altman, Kerman, Carl "Elvis Has Left The Building"
"Heavenly Bank Account"
1990 Spike Lee & Company: Do It A Cappella Keyes, Altman, Kerman, Carl "Zombie Jamboree"
"Under The Boardwalk" (with True Image)

Unaffiliated releases

Year Album Line-up Label
Summer 2005 Live At Duo Music Exchange Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher Duo Records

Solo/Other CDs

Release Date Album Artist
1997 SeanDEMOnium Sean Altman
March 2002 alt.mania Sean Altman
June 2005 Losing Streak Sean Altman
2005 Glory Sean Altman (The GrooveBarbers)
2006 Unorthodox Sean Altman (What I Like About Jew)
May 2007 1 Man 1 Mike Scott Leonard
My Favorites: The Bee Gees Scott Leonard
Nice Kitty Scott Leonard (Fi Ling Fader)
Bluespeel Scott Leonard (Flying Faders)
The OGs Featuring Scott Leonard Scott Leonard
2005 The SoLow Project Barry Carl
God Has A Hold On Me John K. Brown

Songs in commercials

References

  1. ^ http://www.rockapella.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/21450/pid/302605
  2. ^ http://www.rockapella.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/22215/pid/302605
  3. ^ http://www.barrycarl.com/newsgigs.htm
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