An Octave Above

"Come on and Take a Sleigh Ride" is the second release from talented mixed-voice (4 men, 4 women) a cappella octet An Octave Above, who were 1st runner-up at the 2005 Chicago Harmony Sweeps Regionals. The group has been gaining fans with live performances at many Chicago venues, and this Christmas album shows off some of their cutting-edge arrangements and tight, jazzy harmonies. Twelve songs, some of our favorites are the opening cut "Sleigh Ride," a moody, jazzy "What Child is This" (with a fine solo by Debra), a richly harmonized "Away in a Manger," a bluesy, funky "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen," "Mary Did You Know" (with Melinda's sweet lead), a surreal, '30s-retro "Toyland," a richly Italianesque "Gesu Bambino," a nicely-arranged "O Holy Night," a classic "Silent Night," and an upbeat "We Three Kings" with tight percussion by Scott. Good fun stuff from Chicago sure to brighten your holidays!

Primarily A Cappella
www.singers.com

[An Octave Above's debut CD] is a great compilation of a cappella music on one CD. I enjoy the contrasting genres as well as the musicality of the performers. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Colleen Callahan
a-cappella.com

An Octave Above has performed at Town House Café in St Charles, IL for several years. All shows have been sold out, and the audiences have been, without exception, very enthusiastic and receptive to this first class vocal ensemble. They perform a wide repertoire of a cappella vocal music with authority, clarity, great personality and a sense of fun and adventure that fully engages the audience. Their intonation is impeccable, and they accomplish the very difficult task of making very complicated music sound easy and effortless. Over the years we at Town House Café have enjoyed the growth of this group as they explore new musical styles, become more relaxed with each other, and most importantly, connect in an intimate way with the audience. We have heard over and over that it is a real treat to hear a group of this quality; eight outstanding voices that work so seamlessly well with each other. The sound is truly wonderful.

David Hunt
Owner, Town House Café

The 4 men and 4 women of An Octave Above, (named 1st runner-up at the 2005 Harmony Sweeps Chicago Regional) are a group of professional vocalists, together for only 3 years, whose repertoire includes doo-wop, jazz, standards and madrigals. This is the group's impressive debut CD of 13 songs, beginning with a jazzy, light "Chile Con Carne," a sweet Ward Swingle-arranged "All the Things You Are," and a ringingly harmonic cover of James Taylor's "That Lonesome Road." Doo-Wop classics "Come Go With Me" and "In the Still of the Night" segue nicely into Billy Joel's anthem "And So It Goes," a bluenote "There Will Never Be Another You" grows upbeat and scattish, "Tico Tico" puts a margarita in our hand and pulls us onto the dance floor, and finally we have Ward Swingle's sparkling arrangement of "Country Dances." Excellent stuff from this fast-rising Chicago octet!

Primarily A Cappella
www.singers.com

An Octave Above is a group of very talented young singers who sing with amazing energy and flexibility. Their intonation and blend is impeccable. They have been a big hit with our Holiday Show audiences and I am happy to give them my whole-hearted recommendation.

Robert Hanson
Music Director, Elgin Symphony Orchestra

An Octave Above certainly lives up to its lofty name -- a group of cracker-jack singers who deliver electrifying performances that appeal to many different kinds of audiences, even those of us who value such fine details as pitch, rhythmic precision, and clarity of text. They can sing in any octave as far as I’m concerned, because they are clearly a cut above!

Duain Wolfe
Music Director, Chicago Symphony Chorus

We invited An Octave Above to perform at our recent client appreciation event. The crowd of 200+ were enthusiastic and smiling throughout the two-set presentation as the singers delivered flawlessly on everything from toe-tapping standards to silky smooth ballads. Their stage presence, blend, and passion for music were evident to everybody in the room. We hope to bring them back again soon.

Jay Cunningham
Branch Manager, A.G. Edwards & Sons

"I didn't know vocal jazz was so much fun!" - Kristen Vega, PSHS Music Student. This comment made to me the day following a concert that An Octave Above gave at my school pretty much sums up the reaction of many of the students at Plainfield South High School after participating in a concert featuring this dynamic octet. Having only taught vocal jazz for about three months, I jumped at the chance to have An Octave Above participate in my first-ever jazz concert. What I got when I booked them was even more than I had imagined.

I already knew that the group was top-notch vocally. I was given their debut CD by a friend and loved it from beginning to end. They sing with great mastery of technique without losing the music's basic level of fun, which makes for a very enjoyable concert. What I appreciated even more; however, was the help that they gave me as an educator. The group was more than willing to come down to my school on the FAR outskirts of suburban Chicago on a Sunday afternoon, work around our schedule, bring all of their own equipment, provide a sound tech, and even learn a grand finale piece to sing with my students.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with the total package that An Octave Above was able to offer my school. They put on a fun concert with a wide variety of music that all of my students were able to enjoy. Their outstanding individual personalities made the concert not only fun to listen to, but also easy to relate to and exciting to be a part of. I highly recommend this group for anyone who is looking for some great vocal jazz delivered by eight fantastic vocalists who will do everything possible to make your event successful.

Jason Hawkins
Director of Choirs, Plainfield North High School

Being a musician myself, my wedding reception required a jaw-dropping, heart stopping, unforgettable pulse and sound that reflected mine and Karyn’s harmonious relationship with a modern touch of tradition. The eight vocalists of An Octave Above brought it, and none of us will soon forget it!

John Terry

An Octave Above is truly a professional group in every sense of the word! The concert they did at our school was absolutely incredible. I would have never thought that a group of high schoolers would be so excited by a cappella vocal jazz, but their ability to reach an audience clearly knows no bounds! They are truly a musical inspiration and my students still talk about the performance a full year later.

Andy Davis
Choir Director, Reavis High School