Rockapella
Lee University will once again welcome Rockapella to the Dixon Center stage. Rockapella, a pop vocal group, will perform as part of the annual Presidential Concert Series on Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Rockapella originally began with four Brown University alumni who simply loved performing. They sang on the street corners of New York City with a hat at their feet to collect any money passers-by would give them. Business cards dropped in the hat sometimes provided opportunities for work at private parties and appearances at clubs.
As the ‘90s began, the group caught the attention of a producer who was preparing a television special centered on the developing genre of modern a cappella music.
The program became known as Spike & Co. and was hosted by Spike Lee and Debbie Allen. Spike & Co. aired on PBS for several years and also produced a video and soundtrack.
Rockapella spent five seasons on the geography game-show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? They sang the original music for the show’s theme song while also providing on-camera comic relief.
As a veteran of the Tokyo recording scene, lead singer Scott Leonard suggested that the group look into a record deal in Japan. This would allow them to record more original music while also performing before larger live audiences. After making the deal, Rockapella continued to perform concerts in the U.S. as well as on Carmen Sandiego.
In 1992, the group was looking to implement a fuller “band” sound into their music. They held auditions for a mouth drummer, or “vocal percussionist,” who would perform, fully amplified, with the group. Jeff Thacher stepped into this position soon after and has since paved the way for future mouth drummers who study his style and talent. Rockapella’s other members include vocalists Kevin Wright, George Baldi, Scott Leonard and John Brown.
Over the course of the ‘90s, their sound evolved into a blend of r&b, rock, soul and jazz. The group produced the CD Primer in 1995 and the CD Lucky Seven in 1996. As their career continued to escalate, they also performed in several national commercials including an enormously successful Folgers campaign in 1998. Its’ popularity led them to participate in another Folgers commercial, this time with a holiday theme.
Since 2000, Rockapella has released several more albums and holiday albums both in the US and in Japan. They also signed with Amerigo Records, a US label.
Rockapella has made numerous appearances including: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC’s Today Show with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and the CBS Early Show with Bryant Gumbel.
Each year, the Presidential Concert Series invites talented and accomplished artists to perform at Lee University. This will be the second time that Rockapella has performed on Lee’s campus.
Tickets can be purchased at the Lee University Box Office 614-8343 in the Dixon Center, between 3-6 p.m. on weekdays, one week prior to the concert.