Hailing from: Frederick, MD
Genre: Barbershop, A capella
RIYL: Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser, The Sil’hooettes, Noteworthy
Performing: Friday, July 21st from 6:10pm-6:20pm, 7:10pm-7:20pm and 8:25pm-8:35pm at the Baby Grand
Just as you might imagine, becoming the first African American competing barbershop quartet to walk the international stage in history wasn’t a simple journey. But over time, and through no shortage of hard work and hardship, triumphs and pitfalls, the folks who contributed to making the trip a success have been rewarded with accolades and have even given back to the community, educating the public on the early roots of barbershop as an African American artform and encouraging a discussion on the impact of the sound’s legacy. And out of it all, comes a wonderful production, a tribute to the voice as an instrument. The current members of HALO—SHANA OSHIRO (tenor), NADIRA FRANCE (lead), JASMINE BARNES (bass) and NIAMBI POWELL (baritone)—merge into one singular entity, a multi-octave chimera that delves into the barbershop songbook, delivering fresh takes on vintage classics while standing toe-to-toe with any of their peers. While there may not be many groups like them now or in recent history, HALO are certain to leave their mark on the musical community, a much needed nod to their forebearers. And in the meantime, they will settle for raising awareness, and, oh yeah…dropping jaws.
INterested? Check out more on HALO at the links below!
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Cheek to Cheek
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