- Deke Sharon
-
Deke Sharon 
vocalizing an electric guitar, on stage with the House Jacks, 2006Background information Birth name Kurk Richard Toohey, Jr. Born December 12, 1967 Origin San Francisco, California, USA Genres A Cappella Occupations singer, arranger, composer, director, producer, television producer, and teacher Instruments singer, scat singer Years active 1991–present Labels Tommy BoyWarner Bros. Records, Hot Lips Records, Artelier, Atlantic Records, Sony Music Latin, Epic Associated acts The House Jacks, Tufts Beelzebubs, Straight No Chaser, Nota, Committed Website http://www.totalvocal.com Deke Sharon (born December 12, 1967) is an American singer, arranger, composer, director, producer and teacher of a cappella music, and is one of the leaders of the contemporary a cappella community and a pioneer of the contemporary a cappella style,[1][2][3] commonly referred to as "the father of contemporary a cappella."[4]
Contents
Early life
Deke Sharon was born and raised in San Francisco, attending Town School and San Francisco University High School as well as singing in the San Francisco Boys Chorus.
College
He spent his college years in Boston, graduating cum laude from Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. In college, he directed the collegiate a cappella group the Tufts Beelzebubs,[5][6] transforming the group's sound to reflect modern rock, complete with vocal percussion.[7] The 1990-91 Bubs album Foster Street that he music directed, co-produced and largely arranged is credited with giving birth to the contemporary a cappella sound.[8]
In his dorm room, he founded The Contemporary A Cappella Society[9][10][11][12] and The Ultimate A Cappella Arranging Service (which became TotalVocal), as well as brought the Harmony Sweepstakes to the East Coast, producing the first Boston regional with the Beelzebubs.[13] It was in college that he decided to make a career of contemporary a cappella.[14]
Career
Upon graduation in 1991 he moved back to San Francisco, bringing with him a handful of other collegiate a cappella singers to form the The House Jacks,[15] a pioneering a cappella group[16] known for its original music and sound,[17] often called "the original rock band without instruments",[18] they in part because they were the first a cappella group with a designated vocal percussionist:[19] Andrew Chaikin, aka Kid Beyond, who was replaced in 1998 by Wes Carroll, and in 2008 by Jake Moulton. The House Jacks have released seven albums (signed to Warner Brothers/Tommy Boy Records in the mid-1990s)[20] and completed several world tours.[21] He has performed with many musicians, including Ray Charles, Crosby, Stills and Nash and James Brown.[22][23] They have won "Best Pop Rock Album" more than once from the Contemporary A Cappella Society, for "Unbroken" (2004) and "Level" (2010).[24]
He is a prolific, award winning[25][26] vocal music arranger, having arranged for some of vocal music's best known groups.[27] The Best Arrangement award at the Colorado Harmony Sweepstakes is named after him,[28] and he has won the best arrangement award at the Harmony Sweepstakes several times between 1991 and 2011.[29]
As a producer of a cappella recordings, he's known for having changed the sound of collegiate a cappella recording via the Beelzebubs album Code Red. Most recently, he is arranging and producing for Atlantic Records' Straight No Chaser.[30]
In the early 1990s, he co-founded The Best of College A Cappella (BOCA),[31] the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA),[32] the West and East Coast A Cappella Summits, and a number of other a cappella-related projects, programs and events.[33] He also founded and directed a cappella groups at Walt Disney World/Epcot (American Vybe) and Disneyland (Groove 66),[34] who currently perform in Southern California as Vybration.
He has worked on a cappella musical theater projects including "Street" and "Our World".[35] He is also known for his ability to replicate a variety of instruments (e.g. trumpet,[36] guitar, flute, violin) with his voice, teaching "Singing Instruments" seminars,[37] teaching summer camp for young vocalists[38] and adjudicating choral festivals around the world.[39] He has worked with many professional groups, including The Nylons and Boyz II Men.[40]
In 2007, he formed the Contemporary A Cappella League,[41] a new national network of adult "post-collegiate" a cappella groups.[42] In 2009, Deke ran a week of in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by Sarah Patterson, musical director of Harambee. He is currently serving as Vice President of CASA.[43] Collaborations with Straight No Chaser include co-production of their latest recordings and PBS specials.[44][45]
In December 2009, he acted as arranger, coach and consultant behind the scenes on America's first a cappella reality show/competition: NBC's The Sing-Off,[46] and returned in 2010 as one of the show's producers as well as arranger.[47] He also served as Executive Music Producer on the Dutch Sing Off.
He arranged for The Social Network movie.[48], and served as music director and arranger for the film Pitch Perfect.
He was named "favorite arranger" in the 2010 A Cappella Community Awards.[49]
Along with The House Jacks, he sang and performed the 2011 Monday Night Football theme song "Are You Ready For Some Football" with Hank Williams, Jr. [50]. Sixteen versions were taped, but only a few episodes aired before the song was removed (due to Hank's comments about President Obama). He sang several of the songs in the Wii game "Just Dance Kids 2" including the Lion Sleeps Tonight, Barbara Ann, and Mahna Mahna
Discography
Album Year Role Fourteen - Tufts Beelzebubs 1989 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Beelzebub Winter Invitational - Tufts Beelzebubs 1990 Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Foster Street - Tufts Beelzebubs 1991 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Sing Naked - House Jacks 1991 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Naked Noise - House Jacks 1994 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 1995 Producer Best of College A Cappella 2 1996 Producer Urban Harmony: R&B A Cappella 1996 Producer Funkwich - House Jacks 1997 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella '97 1997 Producer A Cappella All-Stars: The CARAs 1997 Producer Harmony Sweepstakes 1997 1997 Producer Voices Only: A Cappella Originals 1997 Producer Best of College A Cappella '98 1998 Producer A Cappella All-Stars: The CARAs '98 1998 Producer Best of High School A Cappella 1998 Producer Harmony Sweepstakes 1998 1998 Producer Best of College A Cappella '99 1999 Producer A Cappella All-Stars: The CARAs '99 1999 Producer Naked Funk - House Jacks 1999 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Wasting Our Parent's Money: BOCA Humor 1999 Producer Best of College A Cappella 2000 2000 Producer A Cappella All-Stars: The CARAs 2000 2000 Producer Drive - House Jacks 2001 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2001 2001 Producer Next - Tufts Beelzebubs 2001 Arranger, Producer Disney's American Vybe - American Vybe 2001 Music Director, Arranger Best of College A Cappella 2002 2002 Producer Punch - Various 2002 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Embodiment - BaSix (Denmark) 2002 Producer Only In America - Peking and the Mystics 2002 Producer Best of College A Cappella 2003 2003 Producer Code Red - Tufts Beelzebubs 2003 Arranger, Producer Unbroken - House Jacks 2004 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2004 2004 Producer Fitchy & Grikko - House Jacks 2005 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2005 2005 Producer Udder Won - Moosebutter 2005 Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2006 2006 Producer Unleash the Periscope - Colorado College Back Row 2006 Producer Get Down Mr. President - House Jacks 2007 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2007 2007 Producer Best of College A Cappella 2008 2008 Producer Best of High School A Cappella 2008 2008 Producer Good Things - House Jacks 2009 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2009 2009 Producer Best of High School A Cappella 2009 2009 Producer Christmas Cheers - Straight No Chaser 2009 Arranger, Producer Sing Off tracks - Sing-Off Cast, Season One 2009 Arranger, Music Director Best of College A Cappella 2010 2010 Producer Go Nuts - Colorado College Back Row 2010 Producer With A Twist - Straight No Chaser 2010 Arranger, Producer Level - House Jacks 2010 Music Director, Arranger, Vocalist, Producer Nota - Nota 2010 Arranger, Producer Harmonies for the Holidays - Sing-Off Cast, Season Two 2010 Arranger, Producer Sing Off tracks - Sing-Off Cast, Season Two 2010 Arranger, Music Director, Producer Best of College A Cappella 2011 2011 Producer Best of High School A Cappella 2010-2011 2011 Producer Best of the Sing Off Season Two - Sing-Off Cast 2011 Arranger, Music Director, Producer Committed - Committed 2011 Arranger, Producer Sing Off tracks - Sing-Off Cast, Season Three 2011 Arranger, Music Director, Producer Songs of the Season - Sing-Off Cast, Season Three 2011 Arranger, Producer (This list does not include albums with Deke Sharon arrangements but not direction or production)
See also
Notes
- ^ A Cappella Originals from CASA.org
- ^ TruMix - A Cappella Originals from CASA.org Podcast
- ^ RARB Review of The House Jacks - Drive
- ^ Rapkin, Mickey. "Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory"- Gotham Books, 2008
- ^ Tufts E-News - A Cappella With An Edge
- ^ http://repository01.lib.tufts.edu:8080/fedora/get/tufts:UP029.012.018.00063/bdef:TuftsPDF/getPDF#page=9
- ^ A cappella group finds its voice — again: The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore
- ^ [1]
- ^ Find Articles 404 File not found
- ^ A Cappella News: Old style, new sounds
- ^ Boy bands over bach | American Music Teacher | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ http://repository01.lib.tufts.edu:8080/fedora/get/tufts:UP029.019.030.00091/bdef:TuftsPDF/getPDF#page=2
- ^ http://repository01.lib.tufts.edu:8080/fedora/get/tufts:UP029.012.018.00025/bdef:TuftsPDF/getPDF#page=5
- ^ http://repository01.lib.tufts.edu:8080/fedora/get/tufts:UP029.012.018.00063/bdef:TuftsPDF/getPDF#page=17
- ^ http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0DA4F5882102E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ NBC Los Angeles article about LA A Cappella Festival
- ^ A Century of A Cappella
- ^ [4]
- ^ Novato House Jacks article
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ Denied:1up! Software
- ^ Kettering Oakwood Times article
- ^ Music history tribute aims to leave viewers feelin' good
- ^ Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival Denver Regional
- ^ [8]
- ^ [9]
- ^ Colorado Springs Independent : Culture : Seven Days : Sound effects
- ^ [10]
- ^ 'Doo-Wop-a-Doo' Will No Longer Do - New York Times
- ^ News - Local news - Irvine - The Orange County Register
- ^ `Medea' To Reopen Stage Door
- ^ [11]
- ^ Commercial Appeal : Memphis News, Business, Homes, Jobs, Cars, & Information
- ^ Heartland Vocal Camp article
- ^ Choir reaches high note at competition (Archives)
- ^ Calgary Herald article
- ^ NY Times article about post-collegiate singing
- ^ Memphis article about DeltaCappella and the first League conference
- ^ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Article about new attention to a cappella
- ^ [12]
- ^ [13]
- ^ [14]
- ^ [15]
- ^ [16]
- ^ [17]
- ^ [18]
References
- Marine, Craig. (June 24, 1992) San Francisco Examiner Home of some very brave singers at the coliseum, A's anthem contest brings out talented and otherwise. Section: News; Page A5.
- Carnes, Jim. (May 21, 1993) The Sacramento Bee Jacks of all vocal trades. Section: Ticket; Page 15.
- Scott, Jane. (October 19, 1993) The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) Jacking up music with edgy a cappella. Section: Arts & Living; Page C14.
- Birmingham News (October 7, 1994) Crime reports. Section: News; Page 2.
- Winn, Steven. (March 6, 1996) San Francisco Chronicle "Media" to reopen stage door. Section: Daily Datebook; Page E1.
- Eichenwald, Kurt. (June 22, 1997) New York Times Pop/jazz; 'Doo-Wop-a-Doo' will no longer do. Section 2; Page 232.
- Eichenwald, Kurt. (July 17, 1997) Albany Times Union A cappella groups push vocal limits. Section: Preview; Page 6.
- Associated Press (December 8, 1997) A Cappella Renaissance. Section: Entertainment.
- Roberts, Alison. (February 4, 1999) The Sacramento Bee Mouthin' to it: Boyz nite out takes the a cappella approach to rock 'n' roll. Section: Scene; Page F1.
- Muther, Christopher. (February 21, 1999) Boston Globe Different sounds of music group aims to make its mark in a cappella. Section: City Weekly; Page 9.
- Sharon, Deke. (August 2, 2000) San Francisco Examiner Letters to the editor Section: News.
- PR Newswire (October 10, 2000) Internet Radio Is Home for the Adventurous, May Force Traditional Radio to Change Its Tune Says Expert.
- Alexander, Sandy. (February 25, 2001) Baltimore Sun Campuses in tune with singers Music: The voices-only sound of a cappella groups catches on at colleges in Maryland and across the nation. Section: Special Tab; Page 1S.
- Alarik, Scott. (April 22, 2001) Boston Globe "B-doom doom doom" they're not your father's a cappella. Section: Northwest weekly; Page 11.
- Burrell, Jackie. (March 4, 2006) Contra Costa Times Old style, new sounds. Section: Local; Page F4.
- Gomeztagle, Frances. (December 14, 2006) Colorado Springs Independent Sound effects. Volume 14; Issue 50; Page 28.
- McCandish, Laura. (May 19, 2007) Baltimore Sun "Harmonizing the Melting Pot" Section: Local; Page B1
- Terauds, John. (January 27, 2008) Toronto Star "Acappellooza Shows A Cappella Singing on the RIse" Section: Entertainment.
- Rapkin, Mickey. (March 23, 2008) New York Times "Perfect Tone, in a Key That's Mostly Minor" Section: Style
- Scott Simon. (May 31, 2008) Weekend Edition "Perfect Pitch: The Drama of Collegiate A Cappella"
- Rapkin, Mickey. "Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory"- Gotham Books, 2008
- Edgers, Geoff. (May 15, 2011) Boston Globe "Voices Carry" Section: Arts and Entertainment.
External links
- CASA
- TotalVocal
- House Jacks
- The Tufts Beelzebubs
- Elkhart Truth "Master of A Cappella Shares Talent"
- CNN "A Cappella Summit Joins Voices in Harmony" archive of text from the Vanderbilt Television News Archive
- Edmonton Journal "Northern Harmony"
- Taipei Contemporary A Cappella Association "第一屆大專盃台灣阿卡貝拉比賽"
- B.U. Bridge "A Cappella at B.U."
- Duke Magazine "Shoo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Duke"
- USC Thesis "Social Dynamics and Musical Sensibilities"
- UVA Thesis "Room Zero"
- Daily Princetonian article
- Tufts Daily "Going Live to the Past"
- Pulse Magazine "Following Pop's Lead, A Cappella Redefines Itself Again"
- Stanford Daily "A Cappella Up For Awards"
- General-Anzieger "Alltag raus, Spaß rein, Tür zu"
- Waiblinger Stadtanzeiger "Wanna Funk?"
- German articles "Mund-Trommler und Lippen-Gitarristen", "Mineralwasser, Mikrofone und Viel Stimme" and "Smarte Stimmkunstler..."
- "A Cappella U" podcast
- casa.org "Jacks Bring Down The House, None Survive"
- barbershop.org article on Contemporary A Cappella
- Tufts e-news "A Cappella With An Edge"
- NPR Weekend Edition Story "Perfect Pitch: The Drama of Collegiate A Cappella"
- Sing-Off Production List [19]
- Straight No Chaser Christmas Cheers [20]
Categories:- 1967 births
- Living people
- People from San Francisco, California
- Tufts University alumni
- American male singers
- American rock singers
- American music arrangers
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