Rockapella

Rockapella has established itself as a pioneering a cappella group, recognized for its unique vocal arrangements of pop and rock songs. After an impactful 1988 appearance on WABC-TV’s ‘The Morning Show,’ stemming from a performance for Kathie Lee Gifford, Rockapella went on to perform on the acclaimed PBS ‘Great Performances’ TV special ‘Spike Lee & Company – Do It A Cappella’ in 1990. The group, known for its pioneering a cappella arrangements of pop and rock songs, had its lineup evolve with Barry Carl joining in 1988 to replace Charlie Evett. This early national exposure set the stage for their widespread recognition and established their unique vocal style.

Following the conclusion of ‘Carmen Sandiego’ in 1996, Kevin Wright joined the group in 1997. Following their success with ‘Carmen Sandiego,’ Rockapella continued to expand their reach, appearing in two Folgers coffee commercials from 1998 to 2001 and featuring in a PBS special of their December 9, 2000, concert. The group initiated its popular annual ‘A Rockapella Holiday’ tour in 2003, which has since become a staple of their touring schedule. In 2004, Rockapella re-released all of their previous North American albums on Shakariki Records, making their catalog widely accessible.

More recently, Jose Rosario departed in 2022 and was replaced by Manny Houston. George Baldi III returned to the group in 2022 before Armand Hutton took over his role in mid-2023. These changes reflect Rockapella’s ongoing adaptability and commitment to maintaining their signature sound and performance quality as they continue to tour and record, building on decades of innovation in the a cappella genre.