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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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SONOS
HANDBELL ENSEMBLE |
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The SONOS HANDBELL ENSEMBLE is recognized by their
peers and the public as Americas premiere professional
handbell ensemble. They are a favorite on A Prairie
Home Companion
and have been referred to as the Stradivarius
of handbell ensembles. Their performances are a treat for
the eyes as well as the ears. Their wonderful stage presence
enhances their incredible musicality. Their music
stunned us all. The four thousand audience members went
wild, just as we knew they would, Steve Beck, Associate
Producer - A Prairie Home Companion.
www.sonos.org
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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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The
Modern Mandolin Quartet |
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The Modern Mandolin Quartet was formed in 1985 to give a
new voice to that most American of musical instruments,
the mandolin. Following the tradition of the mandolin orchestras
and chamber groups from the early twentieth century, the
MMQ uses the instruments of the mandolin family which correspond
to the conventional string quartet (two mandolins, mandola,
and mandocello). The Quartet's goals are to introduce audiences
to the modern mandolin family of instruments, to increase
the repertoire of original and arranged music for the instrument,
and to bring the mandolin into the next millennium by commissioning
new works. The Modern Mandolin Quartet began recording in
1988 with Windham Hill/BMG. They have released four albums
to date, with sales in excess of 130,000 units worldwide.
www.modernmandolinquartet.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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WILLIAM
FLORIAN |
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Visionary folk singer William Florian, formerly of the
New Christy Minstrels, performs "America's Favorite Folk
Songs of the 60's" - An upbeat, energetic, musical
journey of America's greatest folk songs of the 60's including
songs he performed as a lead singer of the famous New Christy
Minstrels plus the music of Peter, Paul, & Mary, John
Denver, and others, and also uplifting Vision Folk originals,
presented with amusing stories in an intimate, heart warming
show.
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DANA
HUBBARD |
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Dana Hubbard's career started as a solo acoustic guitarist
in the singer/songwriter tradition, with deep roots
in acoustic folk and country blues. Then he strapped
on an electric guitar to lead his band through the
burgeoning blues scene. Now, as his singing and songwriting
have become more prominent, the acoustic guitar has
once again become his main instrument. Now that he's
come full circle back to his "acoustic
roots", he draws from the best of both worlds as he
performs startling originals backed by amazing guitar
playing. Imagine a Michael Hedges or Leo Kottke with the
voice and songwriting prowess of a John Hiatt or Jackson
Browne and you get the idea of what Dana is striving for
(and actually accomplishes!!). And, whatever format he's
performing in, you get to see a someone who's wonderfully
engaging and very confident on stage, having spent so
much time there!
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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 - 2006 Knudsen Productions (All Rights Reserved)
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