Countermeasure

Date : 3 / Jul / 2015

Countermeasure

Mainstage

countermeasure

Countermeasure is the new sound in vocal music, known for their upbeat blend, sophisticated harmonies, and infectious energy. Led by award-winning composer/arranger Aaron Jensen, and featuring 14 of Canada’s top young vocal talent, Toronto-based Countermeasure’s genre-defying, contemporary sound has earned the group critical and public acclaim. The music covers a broad range of lively pop, jazz, contemporary, and original songs, sung in unique arrangements highlighting the breadth and range of the voice. Dubbed “the leading a cappella chorus out of Toronto” by the Washington Examiner, the group has won praise from critics and fans. “Riding the hot a cappella singing craze, Countermeasure, from Toronto, Canada, is one of the hottest new vocal groups” wrote the Annapolis Patch.

Led by award-winning composer/arranger Aaron Jensen, and featuring 14 of Canada’s top young vocal talent, Countermeasure’s genre-defying, contemporary sound has earned the group critical and public acclaim. From Cole Porter to the Beatles to Feist, Countermeasure delivers a memorable musical experience. Songs range from lively pop, jazz, and contemporary, to originals, sung in complex but playful arrangements highlighting the breadth and range of the voice. “We challenge expectations with a fresh and innovative approach to well-known and new pieces,” says General Manager and bass singer J-M Erlendson.

The ensemble won one of two spots in the Best Jazz Album category from the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards in the U.S. for their debut CD, “14 Characters”. Selections include music from the Beatles, Carole King, Madonna, Queen, D’Angelo, and more. The original three works pay homage to groups like the Hi-Los and the Andrews Sisters (“14 Characters”), to 20th century choral composers including Gabriel Fauré and Camille Saint-Saëns (“This Moment Now”), and pop artists such as Bjork and Radiohead (Opera Somnia).  One of their original tunes will be included in the December, 2014 Sing11 Contemporary Acappella Society of America elite compilation CD, with international distribution and licensing.They are featured on the upcoming Jensen choral song cycle  “From Sea to Sea” cd, to be released by Centrediscs and distributed by NAXOS in February 2015.

Countermeasure has been featured at high-profile jazz festivals, concert series, and galas, as well as on CBC Radio, Global TV, Rogers TV and City TV, and CP24 TV. They are a founding artist of SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, Canada’s premier a cappella festival. The group has shared the stage with vocal giants The Swingle Singers, The Real Group, The Four Freshman, and The Nylons, as well as Canadian music mainstays Corey Hart, Chantal Kreviazuk, Nikki Yanofsky, and Blue Rodeo. It has collaborated with established choirs (Elmer Iseler Singers, Elora Festival Singers), renowned international a cappella recording artists (Swingle Singers, The Real Group) and Canadian recording icons (Lorraine Segato, Dan Hill, Heather Bambrick, Alan Frew). They wowed audiences on two U.S. tours and are arranging performances in Asia, Europe and Africa for 2015 and 2016,  The group represented Canada in 2015 at Europe’s most prestigious a cappella festival, the London A Cappella Festival and Scotland’s largest winter cultural festival, The Big Burns Supper. In its four years, Countermeasure has grown from local Toronto performances to worldwide prominence.

Countermembers are J-M Erlendson, Aaron Jensen, Gianna Antonacci,  Qwyn Charter, Arun Devdas, Taavi Burns, Marla Kishimoto, Tara Park, Hayley Preziosi, Nina Mason, Laura Bailey, Elana Steingart, Jeremy Voltz. and Steve Cole.

Countermeasure – Music Video – London Bells

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