Gary's Québec CASA page

Sean Altman (formerly of Rockapella) is on his own now, and has his own page. He's also part of The Groovebarbers, and other group configurations. This picture was taken by me at a Rockapella concert in New York City at The Bottom Line.
		La Bande Magnétik I just saw them at the East Coast Summit in Boston, et je suis fier d'etre Montréalais! I haven't found a website yet.
Duwende, from NYC. They rocked in Boston last week.
Five O'Clock Shadow, from my favourite city (other than Montreal, of course): Boston. They rock!		Combining pop, funk, hip-hop, jazz, dance and rock, five o'clock shadow is Boston's premiere vocal band. The sextet's been going strong since 1991. but it was their 1998 indie-label debut "So There" that led them out of their original pop/rock stylings into their current genre-busting sound. The group has garnered local, national and international attention on their constant touring, playing everything from intimate clubs to prestigious Washington, DC Kennedy Center. They're also one of very small and elite selection of groups reaching the finals of the U.S. a cappella tournament the Harmony Sweepstakes more than once, representing Boston in 1995 and New York in 1997 (when they won "Best Original Song" for "Tribute.").
Malaika is my favourite a cappella group, an eclectic group from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. At left is Lee Hayes on my lap at my first Malaika concert! (photo below by Nancy McGrath)		These group pictures were taken by me at concerts in Montreal and Ottawa
Rockapella successfully modernized the art of a cappella performing, texturing their rich five-part vocals with elements of rock, jazz, R&B and doo-wop. The group was formed during the mid-'80s by Brown University students Sean Altman (tenor) and Elliott Kerman (baritone), who met while members of the school's male a cappella ensemble the High Jinks. They soon formed a spin-off streetcorner group dubbed the Lunchtime Specials, gradually evolving into Rockapella -- although other members came and went, both Altman and Kerman stayed on throughout the lean years, eventually joined by tenor Scott Leonard and bass Barry Carl. In 1990 the group appeared on the PBS special Spike Lee and Company: Do It A Cappella, leading to an invitation to become the house band on the network's educational series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, where they remained for five seasons. Although no American record deal was immediately forthcoming, Rockapella soon signed to the Japanese label For Life, issuing their debut LP To NY in 1992. Two more albums, From NY and Bash!, appeared that same year, and in 1993 vocal percussionist Jeff Thacher joined the lineup in time to record 1994's Vocobeat. The Christmas release Out Cold was issued just months later, and in 1995 Rockapella issued their first American collection, Primer. In the wake of 1996's Lucky Seven, Altman left the lineup and was replaced by Kevin Wright; the retooled roster issued Don't Tell Me You Do in early 1999. The seasonal effort Christmas Album was issued in fall 2000. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide		Rockapella is another favourite a cappella group. The group picture was stolen from their webpage, the pictures of Jeff and Scott were taken by me at The Bottom Line in NYC.

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Some of Gary's favourite a cappella groups and individuals

	Contemporary A cappella Society 1850 Union Street, suite 1441 San Francisco CA 94123 (415) 563-5224 casa@casa.org http://www.casa.org Québec co-ambassador: Gary Tompkins
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