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Rockapella

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Rockapella
Rockapella (L-R) Scott Leonard, Steven Dorian, Calvin Jones, George Baldi III, and Jeff Thacher performing in Clearwater, Florida on December 20, 2013.
Rockapella (L-R) Scott Leonard, Steven Dorian, Calvin Jones, George Baldi III, and Jeff Thacher performing in Clearwater, Florida on December 20, 2013.
Background information
OriginNew York City, U.S.
GenresA cappella
Years active1986–present
LabelsShakariki Records / PAID, Inc., Amerigo Records, J-Bird Records, Rentrak Records, ForLife Records
MembersScott Leonard
Jeff Thacher
Calvin Jones
Manny Houston
Armand Hutton
Past membersSean Altman
Elliott Kerman
Steve Keyes
David Stix (deceased)
Charlie Evett
Barry Carl
Kevin Wright
John K. Brown
George Baldi III
Steven Dorian
Ryan Chappelle
Mitchell Rains
Jose Rosario
Bryant Vance
Websitewww.rockapella.com

Rockapella is an American a cappella musical group formed in 1986 in New York City. The group's name is a portmanteau of "rock" and "a cappella". Rockapella sings original vocal music and a cappella versions of other songs. Over time, their sound has evolved from high-energy pop and world music style toward a sound more influenced by R&B. Rockapella found their enduring success in Japan early in their career. They are most successful for their role as a house band and comedy troupe on the PBS children's geography game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?.

In addition to three compilation albums in Japan, Rockapella has released 19 albums in the US and Japan. Since the band's vocal percussionist was hired, the line "All sounds provided by the voices and appendages of Rockapella" has been printed on each of their CDs.

Band history

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Early years (1986–1990)

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The founding members of Rockapella consisted of Brown University alumni Sean Altman, Elliott Kerman, Steve Keyes, and David Stix. They had each been in an a cappella group at Brown called High Jinks, but not all at the same time. Having been in High Jinks the longest, Altman was the only connection between the other three members; when they found each other in New York City following their graduation, they decided to form Rockapella. The band began performing on New York City street corners in 1986 with a hat at their feet and a song repertoire that consisted of a mix of barbershop arrangements and a cappella renditions of classic doo wop pieces that evolved to focus less on oldies and barbershop and more on contemporary rock music. Passers-by began to drop business cards into the hat, and these street corner performances led to private party and club performances around NYC.

Stix left the group in 1987 to pursue his artistic career and was replaced by Charlie Evett. That same year, a dinner party performance for television personality Kathie Lee Gifford led to Rockapella's 1988 appearance on the WABC-TV show The Morning Show, Regis Philbin and Gifford's NYC morning talk show before it went national. Their performance of Altman's signature arrangement of the calypso novelty standard "Zombie Jamboree" caught the eye of producer Gerard Brown. He invited Rockapella to perform on the PBS "Great Performances" TV special Spike Lee & Company – Do It A Cappella,[1] which would put them into the national spotlight. However, Evett left the group to continue a career in software design in 1988 before the special's taping, and Barry Carl was hired to take his place.

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1996)

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Further information: Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (game show)

With a PBS special and numerous morning talk show appearances under their collective belt, Rockapella was noticed by the producers of an up-and-coming children's geography game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?. Shortly before the show's premiere, Keyes had decided to leave Rockapella to launch his legal career, but was still part of the band when they auditioned and were hired to write and perform the show's theme song as well as appearing as the comic relief house band. Keyes was replaced by Scott Leonard, who had just returned from a career as the lead singer in a Tokyo Disneyland electronic rock band. Between Leonard joining the band and the start of their television break, Rockapella began to pick up fame, starring in a Whoopi Goldberg HBO comedy special Chez Whoopi, a Taco Bell commercial, and opened for acts such as Chuck Berry, Styx, Billy Joel, and their a cappella idols The Persuasions, who the group had met on the Do It A Cappella special. They also performed on Jay Leno's first New Year's Eve episode of The Tonight Show in 1992.[2]

Rockapella first appeared on the half-hour game show in 1991 and later continued to appear daily for five seasons, catapulting the band's four members into mid-level television celebrity status and making the Rockapella-performed theme song (which was penned by Altman and his childhood friend, David Yazbek) as one of the best known television themes in history. Jeff Thacher joined Rockapella as the band's permanent vocal percussionist in 1993, although he only appeared on Carmen Sandiego during its fifth and final season two years later. While Rockapella was seen daily in homes across America, Leonard used his connections to the Japanese music market to acquire a recording contract with ForLife Records. The group released seven albums of original and cover material under this label in Japan during their run on Carmen Sandiego and for two years after that, being the first to bring contemporary a cappella music to Japan.[2]

Post-Carmen Sandiego years (1997–present)

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Rockapella performing in 2003. (L-R) Kevin Wright, Elliott Kerman, George Baldi III, Scott Leonard, Jeff Thacher.

Following the end of Carmen Sandiego in 1996, Altman left Rockapella to pursue his solo career the following year, and was replaced by Kevin Wright. They did two Folger's coffee commercials between 1998 and 2001 and a PBS special of their December 9, 2000, concert. In 2002, Carl was replaced by George Baldi III. In 2003, the group started their now annual "A Rockapella Holiday" tour, and in 2004, they released a live album, as well as re-released all of their previous North American albums on the independent label Shakariki Records. That same year, Kerman, the group's baritone and the last remaining founding member of the group, left and was replaced by John K. Brown, a second tenor. Rockapella began joining the Boston Pops on stage in the eastern US in 2006, creating a concert experience that shows both the orchestra's and Rockapella's talents separately and together in a manner never done before: a cappella with instrumentation.[3] In August 2009, Wright announced he would be leaving the group at the end of the year to spend more time with his family;[4] his last performance with the band was on December 22 of that same year,[5] and was replaced by Steven Dorian.

The project to make "Bang", the title track off their newest album, the first track in Rock Band to feature full, four-instrument gameplay based on no live or synthesized instruments began in the summer of 2010,[6][7] and was released for purchase on January 30, 2011 through the RBN.[8] At the beginning of 2011, the band's cover of "It's A Small World" from their album Comfort & Joy, was featured in a TV commercial for the animated film Gnomeo and Juliet.[9] On November 16, 2011, Rockapella released a new holiday album, A Rockapella Holiday.[10]

In 2022, Jose Rosario left the group and was replaced by Manny Houston. Bryant Vance left the group at that time as well, allowing George Baldi III to return. By mid-2023, Baldi left the group once again and was replaced by Armand Hutton.

Personnel

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Timeline

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Discography

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US & International albums

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Country Release Date Title Line-up Label
Japan May 21, 1992 To N.Y. Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard ForLife Records
May 21, 1992 From N.Y.
December 16, 1992 Bash!
April 21, 1994 Vocobeat Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
November 18, 1994 Out Cold
USA 1995 Primer Independent
  • 1996 (US)
  • November 21, 1996 (Japan)
 Lucky Seven
  • Independent (US)
  • ForLife Records (Japan)
USA 1997 Rockapella Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright Independent
February 16, 1999 Don't Tell Me You Do J-Bird Records
March 28, 2000 2
  • USA
  • Japan
  • October 24, 2000 (US)
  • November 30, 2001 (Japan)
 Christmas
  • J-Bird Records (US)
  • Rentrak Records (Japan)
  • May 6, 2001 (US)
  • November 30, 2001 (Japan)
 In Concert
USA August 13, 2002 Smilin' Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright, Baldi Amerigo Records
November 12, 2002 Comfort & Joy Kerman, Leonard, Thacher, Wright, Baldi
June 2004 Live in Japan Shakariki Records
November 16, 2011 A Rockapella Holiday Leonard, Thacher, Dorian, Baldi, Brown
September 21, 2010 Bang
March 15, 2013 Motown & More
September 2017 Jams, Vol. 1 Leonard, Thacher, Rains, Jones, Vance
December 2018 Jams, Vol. 2
December 2019 Christmas Live

All albums from Don't Tell Me You Do through Comfort & Joy were re-released in the US by Shakariki Records in 2004.

Compilation albums

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Country Release Date Album Line-up Label
 Japan November 17, 1995 Best Fest Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher ForLife Records
September 2002 Best A Cappella
September 25, 2002 More Than Ever Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright Rentrak Records

Miscellaneous albums

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Release Date Album Line-up
2005 Live at Duo Music Exchange Kerman, Baldi, Leonard, Thacher, Wright

Singles and EPs

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Release Date[11] Title Line-up Label
1993 "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?"[12] Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard Zoom Express
April 11, 2015 "Rock Around the Clock/Tell Me Something Good" Leonard, Thacher, Dorian, Jones, Chappelle Shakariki Records
February 9, 2016 "Candy Man" Shakariki Records
July 23, 2016 "Sir GotALot" Shakariki Records
November 4, 2016 "Better 2gether" Leonard, Thacher, Rains, Jones, Vance Shakariki Records
June 1, 2017 "Workin My Way to You" Shakariki Records
November 22, 2017 "How 'Bout Now?" Shakariki Records
  • November 2019 (vinyl)[13]
  • July 23, 2020 (digital)
 Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? EP (6 tracks)
  • Enjoy the Toons Records (vinyl)
  • Shakariki Records (digital)
September 24, 2021 "Gimme Money (Con and On and On)" (From the game, The Big Con) Leonard, Thacher, Jones, Vance, Rosario Skybound Games
February 21, 2023 "Lost In Love" (3 tracks) Leonard, Thacher, Jones, Baldi, Houston Shakariki Records
January 31, 2024 "Let It Be" Shakariki Records

Other appearances

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Year Artist Album Song(s) Line-up
1990 Spike Lee & Company: Do It a Cappella
Altman, Keyes, Kerman, Carl
1991 Zappa's Universe
  • "Elvis Has Left the Building"
  • "Heavenly Bank Account"
 Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1992 Modern A Cappella
Altman, Keyes, Kerman, Carl
1992 Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1993 The Muppets Muppet Beach Party "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1993 Put on Your Green Shoes "Light of the Sun" (with Richie Havens) Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1993 Carmen Sandiego: Out of This World "Big Wet Rag" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1994 Biggest Little Ticket
  • "Everything to Me"
  • "I Like You Very Much"
 Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1994 95.5 WPLJ Presents Scott & Todd's Scam-America Comedy Album Vol. II "Where in the World Is Joseph P. Nolan" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1994 1994 World University Games ”Pass on the Torch (I Know New York)" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1995 Ben & Jerry's One World One Heart for Kids "The Light of the Sun" (with Richie Havens) Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1995 Anri Opus 21 ”Moon in the Rain" (background vocals) Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
1996 Voices Only: A Cappella Originals "Bed of Nails" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1997 Anri Twin Soul ”Wiper on a Sunny Day" (background vocals) Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher
1999 Sam Harris Revival "A Change in My Life" (background vocals) Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright
2000 A Cappella Christmas Party "Hold Out for Christmas" Altman, Kerman, Carl, Leonard
2000 Mark and Brian: Little Drummer Boys "Silver Bells" (live) Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright
2002 20 Christmas Stars, Vol. IV "Merry Christmas Darling" Kerman, Leonard, Thacher, Wright, Baldi
2007 Hokie Nation: An A Cappella Tribute "I'll Hear Your Voice" Kerman, Carl, Leonard, Thacher, Wright
2016 Sing 13: Superstition "Sir GotALot" Leonard, Thacher, Jones, Vance, Rains

Solo albums and appearances

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Release Date Artist Album Song(s)
1996 Scott Leonard My Favorites: The Bee Gees
1997 Sean Altman SeanDEMOnium
February 1999 fi-Ling Fader (Scott Leonard) Bluespeel
2002 Nice Kitty
March 2002 Sean Altman Alt.mania
July 2004 Barry Carl The SoLow Project
2005 Sean Altman Losing Streak
2005 The Groovebarbers (Altman, Evett, Keyes) Glory
2006 Jewmongous (Sean Altman) Unorthodox
May 2007 Scott Leonard 1man1mike
2008 Jewmongous (Sean Altman) Taller Than Jesus
January 2009 John K. Brown Essence of Worship
January 2009 God Has a Hold on Me
March 2009 Altman, Carl, Kerman Schoolhouse Rock! Earth "You Oughta Be Savin' Water"
Altman, Carl "Save the Ocean"
2010 The Groovebarbers (Altman, Evett, Keyes) Guts
March 2010 Scott Leonard Tokyo Robots - 1M1M2
June 2010 John K. Brown bOOmbOOm
June 2011 Unplugged
November 2012 A "Just Play It" Christmas
2014 The Groovebarbers (Altman, Evett, Keyes) Warning: Barbershop!
2016 Zombie Jamboree
2019 Sean Altman Salt
2023 The Everly Set (Sean Altman duo) Golden Hits
2024 Forever Simon & Garfunkel (Sean Altman duo) Classics

Songs used in commercials

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Filmography

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Spike & Co.: Do It A Cappella Review | TV Reviews and News. EW.com (October 05, 1990). Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  2. ^ a b The Showbiz Wizard: ROCKAPELLA'S SCOTT LEONARD!. Theshowbizwizard.blogspot.com (January 03, 2011). Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  3. ^ News – Spring '06 | News Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine. Rockapella. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Kevin Wright Says a Loving Goodbye to Rockapella | News Archived 2009-08-30 at the Wayback Machine. Rockapella. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  5. ^ Kevin Wright's Final Shows with Rockapella | News Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine. Rockapella. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Rockapella to Do It on the RBN[usurped]. Rockbandaide.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  7. ^ Did you hear that.... Facebook. (December 22, 2010). Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Full Song – "Bang" – Xbox.com. Marketplace.xbox.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  9. ^ Featured in Gnomeo and Juliet Commercial | News Archived 2011-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Rockapella. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
  10. ^ Apple Music "A Rockapella Holiday" release page. Apple Music. (November 16, 2011).
  11. ^ Rockapella on iTunes
  12. ^ "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?" at Discogs
  13. ^ Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? at Discogs (list of releases)
  14. ^ https://built.com/pages/rockapella
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