Rockapella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rockapella | |
|---|---|
 Rockapella performs in Freeport, Maine in 2003.
|
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | A Cappella |
| Years active | 1986 — present |
| Labels | Shakariki Records Amerigo Records J-Bird Records Rentrak Records ForLife Records |
| Website | Rockapella.com |
| Members | |
| Scott Leonard (1991-present) Jeff Thacher (1993-present) Kevin Wright (1997-present) George Baldi III (2002-present) John K. Brown (2004-present) |
|
| Former members | |
| David Stix (1986-1987) Charlie Evett (1987-1989) Steve Keyes (1986-1991) Sean Altman (1986-1997) Barry Carl (1989-2002) Elliott Kerman (1986-2004) |
|
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.
Contents |
[edit] 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 Thatcher 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 after the 2009 holiday season to spend more time with his family.[1]
None of the original members of the band remain 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'. Founding member Elliott Kerman is working independently on jazz music compilations.
[edit] 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 |
* 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.
[edit] Temporary members
- Kenny X - Vocal percussion (1992 touring)
- David Yazbek - Vocal percussion (1992) (on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego soundtrack)
[edit] Discography
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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) |
[edit] Unaffiliated releases
| Year | Album | Line-up | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2005 | Live At Duo Music Exchange | Leonard, Wright, Kerman, Baldi, Thacher | Duo Records |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] Songs in commercials
- Almond Joy/Mounds
- Taco Bell
- Folgers coffee
- Doritos
- Dr Pepper (never aired)
- NBC The Today Show promos for the earliest version of the program's "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?" segment. The song was re-recorded later in different styles by other musicians.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Scott Leonard's Official Website
- Sean Altman's Official Website
- Elliott Kerman's Official Website
- Barry Carl's Official Website
- John K. Brown's Official Website
- The Groovebarber's Official Website
|
|||||||||||||||||
