Artsource
MUSIC ®
The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
THE POWER OF NATURE
THE HUMAN FAMILY
Title of Work:
About The Artwork:
Sh-Boom
By bringing their own contemporary style to the tunes from the 50s and 60s, The Alley Cats appeal to fans of all ages, breathing new life into everyone’s favorite doo-wop classics. The Cats’ engaging wit and humor have won over audiences nationally as they relate directly to the crowd with jokes, stories, and audience participation that appeal to young and old alike. Tight harmonies, universal humor, and unbelievable a cappella energy have made The Alley Cats America’s premier doo-wop group.
Creators: The Alley Cats: Armando Fonseca, Royce Reynolds, John O’Campo and Michael Washington
Background Information: The Alley Cats bring their own contemporary doo-wop singing style to the tunes from the 50s and 60s. The four members of The Alley Cats are a perfect blend both vocally and personally. Royce Reynolds, whose solid bass vocals create the Cats’ musical foundation, and Mando Fonseca, the second tenor always ready with a pun or quick quip, have the ease of familiarity which make their camaraderie and vocal play radiate from the stage. First tenor John O’Campo, re-creator of all those soaring 50s first tenor lines, and newest member, Michael Washington, whose smooth baritone vocals melt hearts the world over, bring their freshness and talent to an already solid foundation of a cappella tradition. The Alley Cats formed in 1987 at Fullerton College in Orange County, California, and began their musical journey with Disney’s “Blast to the Past” salute. The Cats have appeared at numerous fairs and festivals around the country and have been the featured performers on stages at Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and at the White House. On the recording scene, The Alley Cats CDs showcase rich harmonies, as well as the energy and humor from their live shows. Their first disc, The Cat’s Meow, was called “the best a cappella recording of the 50’s classics we’ve ever heard,” by Mainely A Cappella. Their release, Cruisin’, won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award. Their newest release, Strike 3 and Drive-in Live, continues a tradition of doo-wop at its best.
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture A cappella, meaning singing without musical accompaniment, is the oldest form of music. Tribal Chant, Gregorian chant, Gospel, Jazz, Barbershop, doo-wop, and Contemporary music all trace their roots to a cappella. During the fifties young men and women began forming groups in their neighborhoods. Street corner singing soon became the hits of the day and doo-wop was born. Doo-wop is a type of rhythm and blues popular in the 1950s and 60s using nonsense syllables in intricate, harmonic arrangements. Classic examples are Sh-Boom by The Chords and Earth Angel by The Penguins. (Continued on page 2) Photo courtesy of The Alley Cats
“The group engages the audience with familiar ideas, while keeping the song as true to its original form as possible.” Armando Fonseca California