Songbirds find their new voice
A cappella group Cadence returns with a new sound and new identity
Jun 29, 2007
Michele Henry
Living Reporter
Toronto Star
The hand-off is subtle.
Kevin Fox exits stage left and, with
a pat on the back, passes his microphone – the one he's spat and sang
into for nine years – to Kurt Sampson.
Sampson, 24, beefy and blond, struts
on stage to fill the empty spot that Fox, 33, skinny and balding,
leaves behind.
Cadence launches into song.
The transition from old member to new
recruit is seamless – probably because the a cappella band has had
practice to perfect its routine.
Last week's performance at Lula
Lounge was the second farewell/welcome concert in six months for
Cadence, which has been nominated for three Junos in the last few
years, including best vocal jazz. The first was when tenor Dylan Bell,
34, said goodbye.
The departures mean Cadence is
scrambling to reshape its identity.
The turmoil has left Heidi Berger,
31, wife of the group's only remaining founding member, joyful but
emotional.
"Eight months ago, they said they
were leaving," she says. "And now look at them....I'm such a sappy
wife."
Carl Berger, now 33, was there when
Cadence was created in 1998. Ross Lynde is another seasoned member of
today's version, along with Sampson and Aaron Jensen, 24, the group's
new tenor. Wearing black suits, each with a different coloured shirt
and matching tie, the quartet makes it sound like there's a
seven-piece band in the room. They do it with nothing but their
windpipes and vocal chords.
Cadence is singing "High and
Drysville," an ode to 1940s-era jazz. It's written by Jensen, who
started singing with Cadence in January after a similar Lula Lounge
microphone hand-off with Bell.
Bell, who joined Cadence in 2002,
announced in August he was leaving to create and produce music using
instruments.
Fox followed in the fall, securing a
spot with The Swingle Singers, an a cappella group in London, England.
This evening's concert is the first
time this Cadence version has appeared in front of an adult audience
(Sampson warmed up performing during a small tour of elementary
schools in London, Ont. last month).
But the band members look like four
thieves who've been stealing the show for years.
The act is polished, Berger says, but
that doesn't take the sting out of losing "brothers."
"Kevin's been with us since the
beginning," he says. "These guys are like family. Imagine replacing
one of your siblings for a new person."
After news of the defections, Berger
and Lynde felt lost, vulnerable. Cadence has performed more than 170
shows, toured the Midwest U.S. and Europe in the last 10 months.
Looking forward to a similarly busy year with only a twosome, not a
foursome, was abysmal.
"What happens if Cadence doesn't
continue?" Berger remembers thinking less than six months ago. "What
will we do?"
Finding new members seemed like a
daunting task. The recruits would have to be a cappella-minded – more
into harmonies than melodies – and love kids. Since the vocal band
scene in Canada is small, performing at schools is Cadence's bread and
butter.
A new hire must also have a quirky
sense of humour, Berger says. Cadence is known for cracking wise while
on stage, telling jokes, and poking fun at each other. Jensen, who
started in January, was the right mix of talent and funny bone, Berger
says.
Sampson, who was inspired by the band
to love a cappella nearly a decade ago, is thrilled to be part of it
now. He's moving to Toronto from Prince Edward Island and plans to
take listeners by storm.
But not all at once. Until last week,
he was shadowing Fox, just trying to walk in his predecessor's shoes
before stepping beyond them.
"You can't really replace someone,"
Sampson says. "But that's what's refreshing about a new guy. It's new
ideas. They think differently, sound different.
"It's not like Cadence is losing
anything. What I bring will just be adding to it."
Greetings from the American
Midwest ! It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us, so here’s a
little update for you all.
10,000 kms and Counting
After almost 5 weeks on the
road we’ve travelled through Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana,
Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and both North and South Dakota. Our
audiences have been very appreciative and despite some severe
tornadoes in not-so-far-away places, we’ve made it from town to town
with clear blues skies and open highways. Some of the more memorable
moments would have to include our visit to The Spam Museum in Austin,
Minnesota; our Spa-day in Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and playing ‘The
Corn Palace’ in Mitchell, South Dakota. (Check out our website in a
few days for pictures from our trip!)
Now that we're returning
home we are all anxious to sneak in some much deserved R&R before we
begin preparations for our next Toronto engagement.
CADENCE at
The Lula Lounge
with the
all 80’s a cappella group RETROCITY
Tuesday June
19th at
The Lula
Lounge
www.lula.ca
1585 Dundas
West, Toronto .
Doors open at
6:00 PM and the show starts at 7:30PM.
Tickets are $10 and are
available at the door or the box office. Please call The Lula Lounge
for details: 416-588 0307
We anticipate a big crowd so
we recommend you call The Lula Lounge to make reservations for dinner!
So Long Kevin…
As many of you are aware,
this will be a landmark show you’ll not want to miss. One of the
founding members of Cadence, Kevin Fox (who also holds the ‘baritone
chair’ in Retrocity) will be giving his final performance before
packing his bags and moving to London, England to join the world
renowned Swingle Singers. We are going to miss him terribly but wish
him every success in this new chapter of his life. (sniff sniff...)
Introducing Kurt!
After months of searching,
we are happy to introduce the new member of Cadence, Kurt Sampson.
Kurt has just completed his Masters Degree in Music at McGill
University , and hails from Prince Edward Island . Having years of
singing bass and vocal percussion under his belt, along with his
extensive experience as performer, instrumentalist and musical
director, Kurt was the natural fit. We are excited at the prospect of
all this new blood in the group, and look forward to June 19th
when you’ll have the chance to meet and hear Kurt firsthand!
We hope to see you all on
June 19th as we’re sure it will be a night to remember!
January, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
After 9 wonderful seasons, our bass/vp
Kevin Fox has decided to move on. In July, he’ll be packing up and
moving to London, England to start a new chapter in his life as the
baritone of the renowned British octet, the Swingle Singers (www.swinglesingers.com
). We wish Kevin a rousing “pip pip and all that” and much success in
his new post.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
…CADENCE is looking for a new bass/vocal
percussionist. If you or someone you know is a highly skilled and
experienced singer/entertainer, and is looking for the opportunity to
relocate to Toronto and join a full-time, world-renowned band with the
potential for international touring engagements, please contact us at
info@cadence-unplugged.com.
Here’s what’s required:
- range: comfortable low C (C2) to
preferably middle D (D4)
- excellent time and rhythmic feel in
different genres (jazz, rock, funk)
- vocal percussion and preferably
“beat-bass” skills (bass-drum combo)
- strong falsetto and lead vocal chops
an asset
- strong improvisation skills
(especially bass lines) a must
- excellent stage presence, audience
interaction skills, sense of humour
- good sight reading skills
- in general, someone who’s fun, easy to
work with, organized, honest, and outgoing!
Auditions will take place during the
next two months, and a new member will be chosen in early April.
He’ll start rehearsing with us at the end of May to begin working in
June. Please send resumes, headshots and mp3 samples to
info@cadence-unplugged.com.
Good luck, and we look forward to
hearing from you!
December 28, 2006
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CADENCE 
Greetings, folks! Whatever holiday you're celebrating, we hope it is
happy, safe, and (somewhat) stress-free. Now, on to the news..
WRAPPING UP 2006
Cadence has had a busy end-of year! On Nov 30, we had our
"goodbye-and-hello" Toronto concert, Dylan's last local public
appearance and Aaron's first. It was an occasion filled with emotion
for all. Dylan surprised the Boys with a song that he wrote for them,
performed solo. (Um, thanks a lot, D. It sure was fun trying to sing
after that!) And Aaron knocked the crowd's socks off with his debut
appearance. We'd like to thank all those who came to bear
witness to our transition from Dylan to Aaron.
After that, Cadence flew off to Europe for performances in Vienna and
Munich, two beautiful cities with great venues, wonderful people
(including some friends from the other side of Germany!), and
excellent beer. We then went directly to Boston for some shows with
our longtime Bostonian partners-in-crime, the "harmonious divas" of In
The Moment. (www.inthemomentsings.com
) Now, we'll spend the remaining days of 2006 reuniting with our
loved ones, and eating and sleeping for days.
NEW YEAR, NEW TENOR, AND NEW GIGS
Cadence won't be slowing down in the New Year. From icy Saskatchewan
(including a stop in Aaron's hometown) to sunny Florida, there's lots
of traveling ahead. Here's a rundown of what's coming 'round the
corner:
Jan 12 -20 Saskatchewan Tour: see website for individual dates
Jan 28 Edmonton, AB, with Form and 'Nuff Said
Jan 29 Prince Albert, SK
Feb 3 Ajax, ON
Feb 9 Sussex, NB
Feb 10 Sackville, NB
Feb 23 Huntsville, ON
Mar 9 Fort Walton, FL
Mar 10 Gulfport, MS
Mar 23 Kalamazoo, MI
Mar 25 Mississauga, ON
Mar 31 Brampton, ON
Well, that about wraps it up. Stay warm and safe, and we'll see you in
the New Year!
Carl, Ross, Kevin, Aaron, (and Dylan)