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Swingle
Singers |
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There
are few music lovers in this world who haven't heard
the name the swingle singers. Since the release of their
groundbreaking debut album Jazz Sebastien Bach in 1963,
this eight-voice a cappella group has performed in every
continent and on the world's most famous stages, sustaining
for over four decades a level of international popularity
beyond the dreams of its founder, American-born Ward
Swingle. The current lineup of young, gorgeous and talented
singers is, of course, several incarnations of "swingles"
older than the original team - Ward Swingle affectionately
refers to them as his "grandchildren" - so, although
their programme will usually include some tribute to
the original French group with traditional swung Bach,
audiences will also be treated to more modern compositions
and arrangements, enhanced by dazzling choreography and
lighting. The beauty is that, whatever the repertoire,
the sound remains unmistakably the swingle singers. What
defines this unique group is not the personnel, nor even
the choice of music, but the intimate, close-microphone,
quasi-instrumental sound with which they stunned the
world all those years ago. The swingle singersa name
has become synonymous with incredible vocal virtuosity,
blend and agility, flawless excellence, and high-level
entertainment. In the world of a cappella music, this
group has always been and still is revered by all who
followed its lead. It is hard to comprehend that it all
began as an exercise in sight-reading, to alleviate the
monotony of sixties backing vocals. Eight Paris-based
jazz session singers sang through some Bach keyboard music
one day and discovered a natural swing to the music. Without
changing a note of the original score, they used jazz scat
and phrasing, added a rhythm section and persuaded Philips
record company to record it for them as Christmas presents
for family and friends. Little did they know the level
of fame to which this record would elevate them; they reached
number one in the charts and won several Grammy awards.
Nowadays the swingle singers offer a huge variety of shows,
from the traditional "Bach to Beatles" in concert halls
and churches to jazz nights at Ronnie Scotts and Wavendon
Stables, from orchestral concerts at Lincoln Center in
New York City to contemporary opera at Teatro alla Scala
in Milan and the Chatelet Theatre in Paris and, of course,
their famous Christmas extravaganza, culminating every
December at Orchard Hall in Tokyo.
www.swinglesingers.com
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STILE
ANTICO |
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STILE
ANTICO is an ensemble of young British singers, now
established as one of the most original and exciting
new voices in its field. Prizewinners at the 2005 Early
Music Network International Young Artists' Competition,
the group is now much in demand in concert performances,
and records exclusively for Harmonia Mundi. Their first
recording for the label, Music for Compline, met with
international success and drew superlative reviews,
winning the prestigious Diapason d'Or de l'AnnŽe, the
Choc du Monde de la Musique, and attracting a nomination
for the 50th GRAMMY awards. Working without a conductor,
the members of Stile Antico rehearse and perform as
chamber musicians, each contributing artistically to
the musical result. Their repertoire ranges from the
glorious legacy of the English Tudor composers to the
works of the Flemish and Spanish schools and the music
of the early Baroque. They are passionate about the
need to communicate with their audiences, combining thoughtful
programming with direct, expressive performances. During
2007 they collaborated extensively with Sting in his
project Songs from the Labyrinth, performing lute songs
by John Dowland. Notable engagements in 2008 include
performances at Beaminster Festival, Lake District
Summer Music, Bedford Music Club, Birmingham Early
Music Festival, Stour Music, and in Europe at the Early
Music Festival Bruges, the Rencontres Musicales de
VŽzelay in France, and the Early Music Festival Utrecht.
Stile Antico's second disc, Heavenly Harmonies, was
released in early 2008 to critical acclaim.
www.stileantico.co.uk
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THE
EDLOS |
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The EDLOS, the Bad Boys of A Cappella, come with a truly
remarkable performance pedigree. This dynamic group
has performed with the likes of Waylon Jennings,
Crystal Gayle, Ray Charles, Chicago, the Temptations,
Lou Rawls, Bernadette Peters, Tower of Power, and
many others, and can be seen in their own special
on PBS The Lonesome Pines
Special.
Described as an a cappella quartet supreme... splendid...
magnificent... by the San Francisco Examiner, as well
as on the verge of world fame by the San Francisco
Chronicle, this powerhouse a cappella group is a do-not-miss
musical experience, bringing music of all eras and styles
to sold-out concert halls and theaters, all without benefit
of instruments.
www.theedlos.com
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VOCES8 |
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Voces8 is an international award winning a cappella octet
based in London, England that was founded in 2003
by ex-choristers of Westminster Abbey. With a repertoire
ranging from 13th century polyphony to unique jazz
and popular arrangements, Voces8 has entertained
audiences across Europe and the UK.
The group has been praised for 'stunning performance',
'exquisite singing' and 'a sound that spans the entire
range of vocal colour'. When not on the concert platform,
Voces8 spends much of its time leading workshops and masterclasses
around the world.
First achieving success in 2005 at the 44th International
Choral Grand Prix in Gorizia, Italy,
Voces8 won first prize for best jazz performance and the
audience vote for best performance. In October 2006, Voces8
took part in the 38th
International Choral Contest in Tolosa, Spain. The group
won first prize in both the sacred and secular categories
and was awarded the highest number of points in the overall
competition.
Voces8 performs widely in the UK, Europe and the USA. Recent
highlights include opening the National Choral Competition
in Spain, appearances on Austrian and Slovenian television,
a concert at Wartburg Castle for Deutschlandradio Kultur
and a guest appearance for the International Federation
of Choral Music in Belgium. In February 2007 Voces8 recorded
their third album. Entitled 'Gibbons to Gershwin' the disc
includes a variety of repertoire that maps a musical journey
of 500 years and three continents. Their most recent release,
Evensong, was released in 2008 and has been overwhelmingly
praised by critics around the globe.
www.voces8.moonfruit.com
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CRAICMORE |
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CRAICMORE plays contemporary traditional celtic music.
With deep roots in the music of Scotland and Ireland,
CRAICMORE features the critically acclaimed vocalist
Nancy Johnston. Her deep, rich, contralto voice is
rare in the genre. Driving rhythms from guitar, bass,
Bohdran drum, conga and other percussion, along with
high-spirited whistles, flutes and bagpipes, powerfully
render jigs & reels. Four part harmony, rhythmic
hardshoe dancing, an East Indian Shruti Box and rumbling
Didjeridoo all accent the warmth and passion of CRAICMORE's
fiery performances. They have toured for over eight
years throughout the Western States and recently
performed a 14 concert engagement in
Shanghai, China. Don't miss the chance to experience the
excitement, the humor and the sheer joy of this music from
CRAICMORE.
www.craicmore.com
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CASCADA
DE FLORES |
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CASCADA DE FLORES is rapidly becoming part of the SF Bay
Areas musical vocabulary. The trio, with its
talent and passion for the rich cultural heritage
of Mexico and Cuba, has elicited an extraordinary
response from diverse audiences, media, and fellow
musicians. Each performer has a capacity for emotion
and impressive musicality that brings new life to
traditional yet timeless song gems. Their performances
are hailed for their warmth and spontaneity, and
the listener is enveloped by expressive guitar melodies
and the celestial harmonies of two wonderful voices.
www.cascadadeflores.com
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TOM
RIGNEY |
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Take
the hottest electric violinist/composer this side of wherever
and put him together with veterans of the great bands of
Clifton Chenier, Queen Ida, Charles Brown, Roy Rogers, and
the Sundogs, and what do you get? You get TOM RIGNEY AND
FLAMBEAU a band that will tear the roof off of anyplace
that has one and lift the spirits of everyone within earshot.
The band specializes in fiery Cajun and zydeco two-steps,
lowdown blues, heartbreakingly beautiful waltzes, and funky
New Orleans dance grooves.
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For booking Email
us at: info@knudsenproductions.com
or contact us by
telephone:
Tel: (510) 549-1777 - Fax (510) 843-3567
Licensed Bonded Insured
Knudsen Productions 1737 Blake St. Berkeley, Ca.,
94703
© 2000 - 2009 Knudsen Productions (All Rights Reserved)
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