1993 Participating Groups
| | 14 Karat Soul
14 Karat Soul originally came together with the idea of creating the "Best Singing Group in East Orange, New Jersey." Since the early 1980s, 14 Karat Soul have toured the USA, UK, Japan and Europe, have worked on their own with the Stray Cats and Whitney Houston, appeared in the film Alphabet City, have done commercials for Roy Rogers, New Jersey Lottery, McDonald's, 3 Musketeers, and have appeared three times on Saturday Night Live. They won Best Arranger and TBS TV awards at the 1990 Tokyo Music Festival, released 5 successful CD/albums in Japan and most recently wrote, produced and performed a new commercial for Kleenex Tissue. You want soul? Look no further, you got it! Members: Mykle Alexander, Tony-Zeke Holding, B David Whitworth, Mark Aaron Beckett, Glenny T
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| | 16th and Savoy
After meeting in college and discovering their love of swing, jazz and musical theatre, Brian took out his Judy Garland anthology and, as they began singing and swinging throughout Connecticut, 16th And Savoy was born. After captivating Connecticut with their scintillating song stylings, they decided to invade the New York cabaret night life. They have most recently been spotted at Steve McGraws, The Duplex, and can be seen this week at Don't Tell Mama. Although 16th And Savoy is fresh to Manhattan's cabaret scene, they were recognized as one of the best vocal groups of 1992 by the Cabaret Hotline.Members: Susan Chakmakjian, Kathleen Cogswell, Anne MacKechnie, Brian Patton
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| | Brooklyn Connection
Brooklyn Connection had its early beginning in 1961 under the name of "The Larkings." Over the years, as one great singer after another joined the group, they evolved into Brooklyn Connection. They have appeared at Studio 54, The Beacon Theater, Roseland, Traxs, Bumpsteads, Don K Reed's Doo Wopp Shop on CBS-FM Radio, as well as many New York and New Jersey Supper Clubs with such stars as Johnny Maestro, Brooklyn Bridge, The Skyliners, The Spaniels, and The Cadillacs. All members can lead and switch notes to recreate favorite songs, making them a hard act to follow. Most recently, they were crowned 1991 A Cappella Champions out of 14 other groups at the United in Group Harmony Association's A Cappella Competition at The Skyland Hotel in New Jersey. Members: Nelson Alvarez, Barnard Jones, Warren Tesoro, Gil Torres, Victor Zayas
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| | East River Drive
East River Drive has been making music for almost three years with the philosophy that their complex four- and five-part harmonies are the tie that binds an eclectic mix of musical styles and backgrounds. From doo wopp through standards and rhythm and blues, each individual singer contributes her/his own personal style to these varying genres. Members: Jim Beliveau, Ray Block, Susan Didrichsen, Robin Levin, Leon Mc Clain, Anthony Russo
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| | The Echelons
The Echelons were formed in Newark, NJ in 1987. If you've ever happened to be in some of the local bistros in the Newark-Bloomfield-Clifton area, then chances are you were fortunate enough to be treated to their smooth vocal style. Their most popular tune, A Christmas Long Ago (Jingle, Jingle), is firmly lodged in the New York Top 50 Christmas Song Survey, and when not entertaining in their native New Jersey, The Echelons have been seen rockin' amidst the chrome and glass at the Nassau County Coliseum Custom Car Show, as well as crooning to admiring patrons at Rockefeller Center's Rainbow Room and Central Park's Tavern on the Green. They perform many memorable songs of years gone by as well as modern favorites and original material guaranteed to leave you swinging and swaying!
Members: John Clemente, Michael Fiore, Joe Gomez, Tony Gomez, Pete Marolakos
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| | Eight Men Out
Although none of the members of Eight Men Out actually bothered to learn how to play instruments, they all wanted to be in a band: so they started singing a cappella music. EMO is essentially a phenomenon that blossomed out of the thriving east coast collegiate vocal harmony scene. All the members were at one time or another connected with music at Villanova University, located near Philadelphia, PA. Since November of 1992, they have spent most of their time singing at parties, on a corner at South Street, or to no one in particular. Recently, however, the group has been entertaining at local bars, singing at the myriad of "open mic" nights, and occasionally getting a paid gig. They sing anything and everything, from street corner doo wopp to modern a cappella jams. Yes, there are only seven of them! Members: Brad Booker, Sean Darby, Kamal Helou, Steve Kroche, Mike Kelly
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| | J.Q. & The Bandits
J.Q. & The Bandits originally came together because they loved singing, and there were a few college tuitions which needed to be paid. While singing on a Greenwich Village street corner, they were discovered by a theatrical agent and soon found themselves sole stars of a Levi's 501 Jeans national TV commercial and composers of the product's jingle, Levi's 501-derful Blues. They have made over 1,200 personal appearances worldwide, have toured US, Canada and Europe, and they won the MTV Basement Tapes Competition with their original music video Bandits of Love, after which their album by the same name was released in Europe.Members: Jim Fontaine, Christopher May, David Montgomery, Steven Katz
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| | The Lords
The Lords started out singing back-up vocals at a friend's party, and haven't stop since! They have been together with the same line-up for 11 years and have created jingles for Showtime, toured extensively throughout the eastern college circuit and have opened for David Brenner, Pat Cooper, The Persuasions, and The Drifters, among many others. They have three releases out on Starlight Records, have performed at NYC's Million-Dollar Gala for the 1986 National League Champion NY Mets, and have "held court" before crowds of upwards of 500,000 at the Statue of Liberty's 100th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremonies. Members: Dom Freda, Jim Giordano, Steve Manno, Mike Sellers
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| | Modest Goddess Choir
Modest Goddess Choir came together from several local New Jersey bands to perform for the 1991 Fashion Expo at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Since then, they have recorded with various local and New York artists, performed in clubs around Northern New Jersey and provided lead and backing vocals for The Fairlanes and B.D. Eyz Blues Band. The Goddesses have also performed at The Annual Fourth of July Blues and Jazz Festival in Montclair, New Jersey and have opened for such acts as The Spin Doctors, Tom Cochrane, and The BoDeans. Members: Liz George, Sheila Kern, Anne Rogers, Suzy Rose
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 | | Regency
Regency is a five man a cappella vocal group from Baltimore Maryland. They are often called the Temptation of the twenty first century. Their musical magic has fascinated fans throughout the United States. They sing everything from 40's Swing, Elvis, Motown and Classics and Pop Tunes in their own special a cappella style that is not quite doo wop, not quite R&B, but altogether wonderful. They have won Entertainer of The Year on the college market many times, have done national commercials and have opened for many of today's leading musicians. They have NEVER performed without receiving a standing ovation. Their biggest fans are musicians who marvel at their vocal ability. Regency won the New York Regionals several years back and have not competed in several years.
Listen to:
Summertime | Listen to:
Shamalama Ding Dong
Members: Duane Early, Anthony Griffin, Wayne McNeil, Dwayne McNeil, Milton Ames
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1993 Judges TBA
 
Complete list of 1993 participants
Interested
in
Performing?
We are always seeking groups who would like to participate
in our events.
Groups of any style are welcome, but you must have between
3 and 12 members. We have a rule book which explains many of the
details of the event, which you can see by clicking here. All groups must audition in
order to compete. Generally this is done by sending a current tape
and photo, although live auditions are sometimes arranged. The
purpose of the audition is to make sure the group is appropriate for
the Festival and to help the Director determine the performance
order. If a group has competed previously, the audition process may
be waived.
How to enter
Please send music and photos to the
regional director :
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Colette Thompson (New York)
Colette Thompson has directed or performed in over eleven vocal ensembles, with her group, Stay Tuned, placing 3rd in the 1998 New York Regional of the Harmony Sweepstakes; Colette has performed/recorded with Lukas Foss, Leonard Bernstein, Jesse Norman, Peter, Paul & Mary, and James Levine A billboard-ranked singer/songwriter, she has also managed several events, including, Christmas at NYU, Complex at the Duplex, and An Evening with The Real Group at NYC's Symphony Space. With performances televised via major news programs including Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, and NY1, she is a promoter, producer, adjudicator and an ambassador of vocal music worldwide.
128 Fort Greene Place, Suite 1B, Brooklyn, NY 11217
917-442-2011
colette.thompson (at) mac.com
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