MANSFIELD – Local fans of pure vocal talent are in for a treat with the famed a capella group Rockapella’s visit to the Renaissance Theatre on April 23.
A capella differs from any other genre of singing because the performances are not accompanied by any kind of instrument – only voices. Scott Leonard, the group’s chief songwriter, arranger and high tenor, said this provides an immediate connection with audience members.
“Everybody can sing. They may not be able to sing well, but it’s not that foreign to see someone stand in front of you and speak in music,” Leonard said. “If you see someone do it well, and five of them, it’s fascinating to watch happen.”
Rockapella got its start singing on the streets of New York City for fun. The group got its big break as the house band for the popular ’90s game show “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?” Rockapella gained undeniable exposure by singing the Folgers coffee jingle.
“We were the first a capella group to break through on this level,” Leonard said. “That notoriety got us our first record deal, and completed our quest to become a mainstream group.”
More than 20 records later, Rockapella arguably has paved the way for a capella music to become a household sensation with movies like “Pitch Perfect” and groups like Pentatonix. Leonard said Rockapella also had significant influence over the boy bands N*Sync and 98 Degrees.
“It’s been fun to watch it evolve. I love it,” Leonard said. “It’s an opportunity to reach new audiences and have a newfound appreciation for a capella music.”
The current Rockapella lineup features Leonard, vocal percussionist Jeff Thacher, tenor Steven Dorian, tenor Calvin Jones, and bass Ryan Chappelle. Leonard and Thacher are the group’s most senior members, both members since the early 1990s, and Chappelle is the group’s most recent member after joining in 2015.
“As guys have retired or moved on, you’re able to hand-pick the perfect talent to fill that slot,” Leonard said. “We’ve never been better than we are right now. Each guy is their own flavor to the recipe, and it’s really a lot of fun.”
New voices also add a new challenge for Leonard in arranging numbers. He said he tries to stay away from songs that feature heavy instrumentals, and approaches each song with the intent of adding an original, Rockapella flair.
“It’s a lot like a band, because you have the melody but you also have the drums and the bass like a band, they’re just done vocally,” Leonard explained. “Two other guys sing back-up vocals or fill in the sounds you would get from say, a rhythm guitar, but not get in the way of the melody.
“That’s the craft of a capella arranging – an organic combination,” he said. “I want to be able to add something to it to make it deserve to exist and not just ride the coattails of someone else’s song.”
When creating new arrangements, Leonard will make a recording singing all five parts himself, then send the rest of the guys a learning tape. The group will learn music and rehearse separately before coming together to practice new songs at sound check, then be ready to go.
“It makes for good co-existence too so we’re not in each other’s face all the time,” Leonard joked. “I’ll visualize it and hear it a certain way, but then we get together and it’s like oh, it’s better than it was to hear the flavor of each guy and it comes alive.”
Traditionally, Rockapella features classic songs including “My Girl” or “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” but lately the group has been tackling modern hits. Some of their favorites include the artist Macklemore and the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. However, Leonard said he always tries to choose timeless songs.
“I want it to be something that still stand the test of time,” he said. “Something you’re going to hear in 10 years and still love it. That ‘Hotline Bling’ is absolutely going to be a classic.”
For their upcoming show at the Renaissance, Leonard said the group will be sticking to the classics with their show, “Hits Like You Never Heard.” The arrangement features a number of familiar songs performed in a whole new way.
“We take pride in doing songs people know, but they don’t know them like they hear them now,” Leonard said. “It’s a fun evening, the entertainment value has been notched up with staging and interaction and the repertoire. It’s a lot of smiling and a lot of enjoyment.”
The evening will feature performances of “amplified rock pop music,” but perhaps the most visceral part of the show comes at the end. Each Rockapella member will put down his microphone, and sing to the room using nothing but his voice.
“After the show, that always gets the most response,” Leonard said. “When there’s nothing between the singers and the audience, when they see it’s just genuine, heartfelt music and there’s no tricks or smokescreen, it’s really accessible. It’s just real and immediate.”
Rockapella will perform live in concert on April 23 at 8 p.m. at the Renaissance Theatre. Tickets range from $15 to $29 and are on sale now at the Renaissance Box Office, via telephone at 419-522-2726 and online at MansfieldTickets.com.
