History
The Seattle years (1995–2004)
The inception of m-pact traces back to 1995 in Seattle, Washington, when Marco Cassone, Trist Curless, Jonathan Gonzales, Carl Kelley, and Matthew Selby united to form the vocal group. The trio of Curless, Gonzales, and Selby had shared their musical journey as students in the jazz department at the University of Northern Colorado, while Cassone and Kelley were seasoned professional singers in Seattle.
The connection between Cassone and Curless was facilitated by a mutual friend who sang with the professional a cappella group, The Coats. Learning of the two's shared aspirations to establish a vocal ensemble, the mutual friend orchestrated an introduction. Following a series of audition-like phone calls, it became evident that Cassone and Curless resonated with each other's visions. Subsequently, the decision was made for the three Coloradans to relocate to Seattle, providing the foundation for m-pact. Initially considering the name Flipside, they later discovered its trademarked status and eventually settled on the moniker m-pact.
Upon settling in Seattle, the group promptly immersed themselves in rehearsals, repertoire acquisition, and sought out small gigs across the city. m-pact's inaugural public performance unfolded at the consumer electronics store, Incredible Universe, in Auburn, Washington. Subsequently, they diligently rehearsed, navigated the hustle, engaged in self-promotion, and embraced various gigs alongside their day jobs.
The turning point for m-pact materialized in early 1996, as they clinched victory in the national a cappella competition, the Harmony Sweepstakes. Securing both the first prize and the "Audience Favorite" award marked a significant milestone. [1] Shortly thereafter, the group released their debut album, It's All About Harmony, which earned them two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). Riding the momentum of their Harmony Sweepstakes triumph and critical acclaim for their inaugural album, m-pact emerged as a prominent force in the a cappella community, signaling a period of heightened activity and recognition.
As the trajectory of m-pact veered towards full-time touring and performances, Carl Kelley made the decision to part ways with the group. In early 1997, Britt Quentin assumed his role, bringing a fresh dynamic to the ensemble. Hailing from Detroit, Quentin, a singer and arranger with a background in jazz and classical voice at Wayne State University, [2] introduced a distinctively bright timbre and an exceptionally high vocal range that would become integral to m-pact's evolving sound. Quentin's arrival also marked a pivotal moment for the group, as his inventive arrangements, characterized by creativity and complexity, played a substantial role in propelling m-pact's reputation within the realms of a cappella groups and vocal jazz ensembles.
Later in 1997, Jonathan Gonzales chose to depart from the band, citing vocal health concerns as a primary factor in his decision. Following an extensive nationwide search, the position of high-tenor/alto was filled by Greg Whipple, a studio vocalist and full-time performer at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. With Whipple on board, m-pact embarked on the recording of their second album, 2, released in the summer of 1998. [3] Comprising nine original compositions and a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Fantasy," the album showcased the band's substantial growth as arrangers, songwriters, and studio musicians over the preceding two years since their debut.
The release of 2 marked a significant milestone for m-pact, earning them acclaim and recognition. Notably, the album secured a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Pop/Rock Cover Song in 1999, specifically for their rendition of "Fantasy." [4] This achievement underscored m-pact's prowess and maturation in their musical journey.
Shortly after their previous endeavor, m-pact embarked on the creation of their inaugural holiday album, setting a distinctive tone for the project by enlisting arrangements from some of the world's foremost vocal arrangers. The brainchild of this initiative, titled The Carol Commission, saw contributions from band members Matthew Selby and Marco Cassone, along with arrangements crafted by esteemed talents such as Randy Crenshaw, Michele Weir, Jason Smith, Roger Treece, April Arabian-Tini, Yumiko Matsuoka-Young, Morgan Ames, and Cedric Dent. The outcome was a unique and unparalleled display of vocal arranging prowess and studio production. Released in late 1999, the album garnered recognition by clinching two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs), specifically in the categories of Best Holiday Album and Best Holiday Song for the track "Caroling, Caroling." [5] Beyond the accolades, this release solidified m-pact's position as a preeminent vocal jazz ensemble on the global stage.
Following this milestone, Matthew Selby opted to part ways with the group, choosing to relocate to southern California. He has since gone on to have a career as a musician and music director for the Walt Disney Company and Disney theme parks around the world. [6] Selby's departure marked a significant shift, but it paved the way for Seattle native Jake Moulton to step into the fold. Moulton, previously a member of the local a cappella band Kickshaw, seamlessly joined m-pact, contributing his talents to the group's ongoing musical journey.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, m-pact embarked on a comprehensive full-time touring schedule, captivating audiences across North America with over 200 performances in certain years. Simultaneously, the ensemble expanded its reach into global territories, initiating international tours that encompassed Europe, specifically Germany and Italy, as well as southeast Asia, with notable stops in Japan and Singapore.
In 2001, m-pact's acclaimed album 2 underwent a re-packaging, and was distributed to a Japanese audience by Sony subsidiary Fab Records. This marked a pivotal moment for the group as they ventured into the Japanese music scene. In support of the album's Japanese release, m-pact undertook an extensive tour throughout the country, culminating in a nationally broadcast appearance on Fuji Television, a testament to the group's growing international acclaim and recognition.
In 2001, Greg Whipple opted to pursue a studio career in Los Angeles, leading to his departure from m-pact. The interim vacancy was initially filled by Steve Wallace before Rudy Cardenas, another Denver native and alumnus of UNC-Greeley, assumed the position. Despite the evolving lineup, m-pact maintained a rigorous year-round touring schedule, which included a significant milestone – their inaugural journey to Africa for the 2003 Tabarka Jazz Festival in Tunisia. [7]
Amidst their continuous touring commitments, m-pact dedicated time to studio endeavors. In 2001 and 2003, they released two distinct EPs, showcasing promising works-in-progress with some shared material between them. However, the group remained undecided on the definitive direction for their next full-length album. Consequently, they resolved to create their inaugural live album, a double-disc project recorded in early 2004. The recordings were extracted from a series of performances hosted at their favored hometown venue, The Triple Door.
During this period, the group made preparations for a significant relocation to Los Angeles, California. This strategic move coincided with the live album recording and underscored m-pact's commitment to exploring new horizons in their musical journey.
The Los Angeles years (2004–2016)
In May 2004, m-pact relocated to Los Angeles, California. The primary motivation behind this move was to open up additional avenues for the band members to secure substantial opportunities within the music industry when not actively touring with m-pact. Simultaneously, the group underwent a significant expansion, transitioning into a sextet with the addition of tenor vocalist and beatboxer Jeff Smith in June 2004. Smith, hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, had previously established himself in the a cappella community as the leader and music director of the successful Midwestern vocal group, measureXmeasure (pronounced "measure by measure"). [8]
Amidst these changes, m-pact sustained an active touring schedule, encompassing North America and featuring noteworthy engagements such as the Festilac Music Festival in Switzerland, where they shared the stage with R&B sensation Boyz II Men. Their international presence continued to flourish with appearances at the Vocal Jazz Summit in Germany, Fandango Music Festival in Italy, Veneto Jazz Festival in Italy, Jazzkaar in Estonia, and numerous other notable events.
Between tours, the group dedicated time to realize their long-anticipated studio project. The fruits of their labor materialized in June 2006 with the release of the eponymous album m-pact. This 13-song collection blended jazz standards and original compositions, showcasing the group's versatility. Published under Primarily A Cappella Records, the album received recognition in JazzTimes' 2006 Year-in-Review Issue. Notably, "m-pact" secured two Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) for "Best Jazz Album" and "Best Original Song," with the accolade for the latter category attributed to the Britt Quentin-penned composition "You Need to Know."
Later in 2006, m-pact faced a significant change as baritone and beatboxer Jake Moulton announced his departure from the band due to vocal health concerns. The baritone position remained vacant for approximately one and a half years, during which the band enlisted the talents of several outstanding substitute singers. Among these notable substitutes were Tonoccus McClain, singer-songwriter and former Chanticleer, countertenor Matt Alber, and founding m-pact member Matthew Selby. In November of the same year, m-pact embarked on a return to Southeast Asia, marking their presence with performances in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia, notably at the Jakarta Jazz Festival (JakJazz).
In 2007, m-pact's formidable power tenor/alto, Rudy Cardenas, garnered attention for his participation in the sixth season of the popular TV show American Idol. His journey on the show, including a memorable rendition of "How Deep is Your Love" alongside eventual runner-up Blake Lewis, propelled him to Hollywood. Despite making it to the final 24 contestants, Cardenas faced elimination after his performance of "Free Ride" struggled to overcome the widespread voting phenomenon associated with contestant Sanjaya Malakar during that season's competition. Following his American Idol venture, Cardenas made the decision to depart from m-pact to pursue a solo career. Stepping into his role was LA session singer Fletcher Sheridan, who had previously filled in for Cardenas during his filming commitments.
In the same year, m-pact attained distinction as one of the four groups chosen to participate in the international a cappella festival and concert titled "Amazing Voice." This significant event unfolded in August 2007 in South Korea, featuring a stellar lineup that included The Real Group (Sweden), Rajaton (Finland), and The Idea of North (Australia). The festivities commenced with two preview concerts at Phoenix Park in Gangwon-do, South Korea, followed by an immensely successful two-night, sold-out performance at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. The resounding success of the festival prompted an immediate rebooking for a second run, solidifying its status as a recurring event in August 2008.
In early 2008, m-pact welcomed LA vocalist David Loucks into the fold, appointing him as the full-time singer for the baritone position.
Over the ensuing two years, the group continued to make a mark on the international stage with a series of overseas performances. Highlights included a headline performance at the Internationales Festival für Vokalmusik in Leipzig, Germany; a captivating 3-city Korean tour of "Amazing Voice" in Daejeon, Seongnam, and Seoul, South Korea; a brief tour to Singapore; and a return to Tokyo and Seoul in 2009.
Towards the close of 2009, Britt Quentin made the decision to depart from the group to join the London cast of the West End show "Thriller – Live." [9] This transition prompted a reshuffling of personnel within m-pact. Fletcher Sheridan ascended to the soprano part, and the alto position was filled by Jarrett Johnson. Johnson had recently relocated to LA after a successful tenure with the Illinois a cappella ensemble Chapter 6.
Over the ensuing years, m-pact continued to deliver sporadic yet impactful performances throughout North America, maintaining an average of approximately 40 shows per year. Their diverse repertoire graced various venues, ranging from performing arts centers and jazz festivals to educational outreach events.
In 2010, a notable change occurred as Danish native Morten Kjær assumed the position, succeeding David Loucks. Kjær brought with him a wealth of experience from his prior full-time touring with the renowned Danish ensemble Basix. With this revised lineup, m-pact embarked on a new venture, creating their first music videos for release on YouTube in 2014.
The cinematic short film for Fletcher Sheridan's arrangement of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" showcased their artistic vision. Additionally, they produced a video for their rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and collaborated with the New York a cappella group Duwende on a medley of Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and Jackson's "Black or White". During this period, m-pact also earned distinction as one of the guest artists for the inaugural year of the A Cappella Academy, a summer program founded by The Sing-Off arranger Rob Dietz, Pentatonix producer/arranger Ben Bram, and founding Pentatonix bass Avi Kaplan.
In late 2014, Morten Kjær made the decision to depart from m-pact to focus on his solo career. His departure marked a notable transition as singer Kenton Chen stepped into the lineup, bringing with him an impressive background. Chen had previously been a member of the LA a cappella group The Backbeats, known for their successful run on the NBC a cappella competition show The Sing-Off . Additionally, he had distinguished himself as a featured vocalist with the retro jazz performance group Postmodern Jukebox.
Over the next couple of years, the revitalized m-pact achieved significant milestones. They headlined the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, served as guest performers for The Sing Off Tour, returned for a second year as guest artists at the A Cappella Academy, and were featured performers at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference in Pasadena, California. Their reach extended internationally as they headlined the Brandon Jazz Festival in Brandon, Manitoba. Despite these accomplishments, individual commitments outside the group increased, leading to scheduling conflicts that hindered the booking of substantial tours or the progress on recording projects and videos.
In early 2016, the band faced a significant turning point as its two remaining founders, Trist Curless and Marco Cassone, chose to retire from m-pact. Curless had already taken on the role of the new bass singer for the vocal ensemble The Manhattan Transfer, following the passing of its founder Tim Hauser in October 2014. [10] Simultaneously, Cassone prepared to relocate to northern California to pursue a consulting career in organizational management. With the departure of the last founding members, m-pact entered a new era with an all-new lineup for the first time in its storied history.
"m-pact 2.0" (2016–present)
Following the announcements of Trist Curless and Marco Cassone's retirements, the majority of the remaining members, including Fletcher Sheridan, Jarrett Johnson, and Kenton Chen, also made the decision to step away from the group. This significant departure left Jeff Smith, a 12-year band member, with the task of assembling a new ensemble virtually from scratch. Fortunately, there were several highly skilled singers who had previously subbed with m-pact in recent years and were well-equipped to step into the roles.
Tracy Robertson (bass), Drew Tablak (soprano), and Aaron Schumacher (alto) had all demonstrated their talents through numerous performances with the group, and they were now prepared to commit to m-pact on a full-time basis. The next addition to the lineup was Jamond McCoy, a recent graduate from the esteemed vocal jazz program at California State University, Long Beach. Smith had witnessed McCoy's impressive performance at the ACDA conference earlier that year, prompting his invitation to join m-pact. To complete the ensemble's initial lineup, Smith reached out to Jared Jenkins, a former teacher at A Cappella Academy who had also collaborated with Robertson at Berklee College of Music.
This newly formed group successfully fulfilled several contractual obligations during the summer of 2016. However, Jenkins indicated that his availability was temporary. Consequently, in September of that year, m-pact welcomed Andy Degan to their ranks, solidifying the lineup for the newest iteration of the group.
Later in the same year, m-pact once again collaborated with Duwende, headlining the Kettering A Cappella Festival in Ohio to enthusiastic acclaim. Notably, the group ventured into visual storytelling with a live-in-studio recording of "Silent Night," a production showcased on the esteemed YouTube channel, The Black and White Sessions.
Undeterred, m-pact maintained an active touring schedule, captivating audiences across North America. In spring 2017, they took center stage as a featured act at the Disney Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure, showcasing their versatile and engaging performances. Subsequently, the group returned to recording and filming music videos, marking a new creative phase. Their initial release featured a dynamic live performance of "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing," followed by a rendition of Jon Bellion's "Guillotine." Notably, the latter video received multiple nominations at the A Cappella Video Awards, further solidifying m-pact's presence in the a cappella community. [11]
In 2018, m-pact embarked on a significant recording endeavor, marking their first substantial project in almost 12 years. The culmination of this effort was the highly acclaimed 8-song EP titled Wonderful World. Officially released on August 24, 2018, the EP presented an eclectic collection featuring seven brand-new tracks complemented by the inclusion of the group's 2018 CARA-winning single, a cover of the Beatles' "Come Together." Notably, the EP showcased new vocal arrangements skillfully crafted by band members Andy Degan, Jamond McCoy, and Tracy Robertson.
Beyond the creation of new content, m-pact delved into their musical archives, unearthing hidden gems that had never been recorded and, in some cases, never performed before. Jeff Smith highlighted the significance of the project, stating, "This project was an opportunity for us to make a statement about who m-pact is today while also shining a light on the legacy of the group's musical history, which we're so proud to be a part of." The same year witnessed the release of new music videos for "Come Together" and "We Can Work It Out," both of which garnered nominations and wins at the 2019 A Cappella Video Awards.
Wonderful World earned prestigious accolades at the 2019 CARAs, securing two awards for Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Song for their cover of Zedd and Alessia Cara's "Stay."
In January 2019, m-pact was once again a guest artist for the Jazz Education Network conference in Reno, Nevada. Later that month, they embarked on their first international tour in nearly 10 years. They were a headlining guest artist for the London A Cappella Festival and also performed concerts in Tallinn, Estonia; Viljandi, Estonia, and Copenhagen, Denmark. Throughout the spring and summer, the band made several guest appearances at vocal jazz, a cappella, and choral festivals around the U.S. They filmed another live video - a medley of songs by Earth, Wind & Fire – which was released in August 2019. This video also won a 2020 A Cappella Video award for Best Live Video. In November 2019, m-pact launched their first-ever Vocal Festival in conjunction with the music department of Kansas City Kansas Community College. The 2nd festival is planned for November 2020.
During the year 2020, m-pact celebrated their 25th anniversary, and they originally announced a variety of anniversary projects – including a reunion concert and a recording/video project featuring past and present band members. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to cancel plans for a reunion concert. However, they curated and released a 2-album collection called 25 Years of Harmony (Vol 1 & 2). These two volumes included 14 remastered tracks, 6 rare or limited-release songs from the band's archives, and 4 brand-new / unreleased tracks. Additionally, the group recorded and filmed a music video of the song "A Change in My Life", bringing together 19 past and present band members. Other 2020 projects included a March release of "My Favorite Things"; a May release of the Shawn Mendes tune "Where Were You In the Morning?" (featuring LA singer/actor Darren Bailey); a November release of "Can't Stop the Boogie" (a mashup of the Jackson's "Blame it On the Boogie" and Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling"); and a December release of "Let it Snow" (featuring bassist Charles Berthoud).
On November 23, 2021, the group announced via their Facebook page that Los Angeles-based producer Daniel Weidlein would be joining the group as the replacement bass vocalist for departing member, Tracy Robertson.
On August 3, 2022, m-pact announced the departure of Drew Tablak from the group after his six-year tenure as a full-time member via social media. It was revealed that Tablak would be taking on a new full-time role with the Dapper Dans at Disneyland. In response to his exit, m-pact temporarily enlisted substitute singers, including Nathan Heldman, Gregory Fletcher, and Frank Hobbs IV. An update on October 28, 2023 subsequently revealed that Fletcher had officially joined the group.
The band is currently in production for a new album, a collaboration with Grammy-nominated arranger / producer Roger Treece, which is slated for a mid-2024 release.
