Countermeasure-EPK

COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
w w w.co u n te r m e a s ur em us i c.com
COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
biography
Countermeasure is the fresh face of Canadian a cappella, known for their upbeat sound, sophisticated harmonies, and
infectious energy. Led by award-winning composer/arranger Aaron Jensen, and featuring some of Canada’s top young vocal
talent, Countermeasure delivers a magical and memorable musical experience that has earned the group critical and public
acclaim. Their new CD “14 Characters” offers a range of lively pop, jazz, contemporary, and original songs. Selections include music
from the Beatles, Carole King, Madonna, Queen, D’Angelo, and more, sung in unique arrangements highlighting the breadth and
range of the voice. From Bjork to the Beatles, from revamped jazz standards to contemporary choral originals, Countermeasure
celebrates a songbook that defies genre and challenges expectations. The group has performed alongside such vocal giants as
The Swingle Singers, The Real Group, The Four Freshman, and The Nylons and shared the stage with music superstars Chantal
Kreviazuk, Corey Hart, Nikki Yanofsky, Blue Rodeo, Kim Mitchell and Matt Dusk. In the summer of 2012, Countermeasure
represented Canada at Serenade! Washington D.C. International Choral Festival as part of a U.S. tour with featured performances
at the historic Kennedy Center and the Canadian Embassy in Washington and Art on the Park in New York City. The group has
been featured for two years at Beaches Jazz Festival and SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. In addition to their regular
engagements at high-profile music festivals, concert series, corporate events and galas, Countermeasure has appeared on the
Global Network, Breakfast Television, Rogers Television, CTV, the Food Network, CBC Television and Newstalk 1010 Radio.
COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
Selected Performances
Selected Festivals & Events
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival 2012 with The Swingle Singers and 2013 with The Real Group
Beaches International Jazz Festival 2011 and 2012
Serenade! Choral Festival, Washington, DC, Featured Performer
Ramapo International Vocal Festival, Ramapo, NJ, Headliner
Stockey Centre, Parry Sound with The Nylons
Brantford Jazz Festival with The Four Freshmen
Selected Corporate Events
Indigo Valentines Day Web Campaign, “Happy Valentines Day” vocal flashmob
Major League Baseball / New Era Opening Day Promotion, “Pop Fly Singers” vocal flashmob
Indigo Winter Product Launch Event
Casino Rama V.I.P. Holiday Event
Greater Toronto Airport Authority Holiday Campaign, “Tweet-A-Carol” 2012 and 2013
Numerous private corporate vocal flashmobs
Selected Television Appearances
Breakfast Television Toronto (City TV) for their Christmas Special
Recipe to Riches (Global TV / Food Network)
Televised performance on CBC Television opening the Queen’s Plate
Media Opening to the Beaches International Jazz Festival 2012 for CBC Television and CTV
Guest Performer on Rogers Daytime TV, Mississauga and Toronto
“Christmas in the Square”, CTS-TV
Selected Galas and Fundraisers
“It’s Always Something” Gala 2013 to support Gilda’s Club
“Mayor’s Gala” to support the Ontario Philharmonic
“Rock the Cradle” Gala to support St. Joseph’s Hospital
“Toronto Tribute” Gala to support the True Patriot Love Foundation
“The Gift of Christmas” Gala to support the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre
COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
testimonials
“The leading a cappella chorus out of Toronto”
- Washington Examiner
“Toronto-based Countermeasure....complete with a tight, bright sound and animated choreography”
- Baltimore Sun
“Countermeasure delighted our audiences with their stellar harmonies and innovative style.
Their participation and collaboration in our festival was a big hit!”
- Stephanie Chaiken, Interim Director, Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts
Ramapo College of New Jersey
“Their performance was simply OUTSTANDING and had so many people raving about them
after the show.”
- Rick Muller, Co-Executive Producer of “It’s Always Something” Gala
“It was a pleasure to have Countermeasure. Countermeasure performed beautiful vocal
arrangements and the crowd loved them. They were a terrific asset to our stage. Thank you for
bringing such a talented group of singers. Our audience loved every minute of it!”
- Julie Christian, Program Coordinator, Beaches International Jazz Festival
“Countermeasure offers a distinctive fresh voice in the Canadian choral scene”
- Danforth Centre Town News
“This wonderful vocal band does so much more than just a cappella music. It is rhythmic,
it is harmonious; they fill every beat of every measure with something interesting and tasty.”
- Renowned tenor Mark Masri
“Countermeasure, from Toronto , Canada, is one of the hottest new vocal groups”
- The Annapolis Patch
“An amazing group. Utterly remarkable!”
- Lt. Governor, the Honourable David C. Onley
“You guys sound awesome!”
- Tyler Stewart, Drummer for the Barenaked Ladies
“With their fresh & innovative approach, brilliant arrangements & exciting performances,
the future is bright for this inventive group.”
- Paul Ryan, President, Limelight Management Inc., Manager of the Nylons
COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
repertoire
Jazz
Pure Imagination (From Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
Spanish Joint (D’Angelo)
There Will Never Be Another You (Harry Warren / Mack Gordon)
A Quiet Thing (Kander and Ebb, from Flora the Red Menace)
Take a Bow (Madonna/Babyface)
Uncertainty of the Poet (Adaptation of poem by Wendy Cope)
Got to Get You Into My Life (Paul McCartney)
14 Characters (Countermeasure original)
Run to You (Bryan Adams)
Pop
Underground (Ben Folds)
Anything You Want (“You Got It” Roy Orbison)
I Can’t Go For That (Hall and Oates)
Some Nights (Fun)
Something (Beatles)
Unravel (Bjork/Swingle Singers)
In My Life (Lennon-McCartney)
Best of My Love (The Emotions)
Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
Choral
We Are As One (Countermeasure original)
Head of Gold Feet of Clay (Countermeasure original)
This Moment Now (Countermeasure original)
Nacionales 1 (Paraguayan folk song catalogued by Oscar Safuan)
Sing Me the Songs I Love, Once More
Holiday
The 12 Days of Christmas (Countermeasure parody)
Carol of the Bells
Sleigh Ride
I Saw Three Ships
Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)
Carpenter’s Carol (Countermeasure original)
Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band (Countermeasure original)
This New Snow (Countermeasure original)
COUNTERMEASURE
the new sound in vocal music
CONTACT
For inquiries, or to book Countermeasure, please contact:
J-M Erlendson, General Manager
416-694-6900
[email protected]
Patricia Silver, Booking Agent
416-524-8123
[email protected]
For more information, including performance samples, please visit us online:
Website: countermeasuremusic.com
YouTube: youtube.com/countermeasuremusic
Twitter: twitter.com/defygenre
Facebook: facebook.com/CountermeasureAcappella
MySpace: myspace.com/countermeasureacappella