Los Angeles based vocal group m-pact achieved their success by using nature's first instrument - the human voice.
Since forming the group the sextet has received multiple awards for their studio recordings from the Contemporary A Capella Recording Awards, including Best Jazz Album, Best Pop/R&B Song, Best Male Vocalist and Best Vocal Arrangement. The group has also been named Best Unsigned Band by Billboard Magazine and was honored to be the first foreign artist to ever perform at the Singaporean House of Parliament.
Bassist Trist Curless said the group's goal from the beginning was to perform music its members enjoyed. m-pact was formed because the members shared the same vision. Performing with just a voice was appealing to all of them, Curless said.
"We wanted to share our music with as many people as we could around the world," he said.
The group will perform at 7:30 tonight in Pruis Hall. Tickets for students are $5 and are available at the John R. Emens Auditorium box office during its regular hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Emens Director Bob Myers said was looking for a group similar to Chapter 6, a well received group that performed at Pruis Hall two years ago. When he heard m-pact showcased at Arts Midwest Conference several years ago, scheduling the a cappella group to perform at Ball State peaked his interest.
Myers said he aims to bring an a cappella, pop, jazz vocal group to campus every couple of years and always looks for a show that would be enjoyable for both the college and community members.
He also wanted to bring an event to Pruis Hall that would contrast the acoustic guitar performances of Tommy Emmanuel, the Marcus Roberts Jazz Trio and the bluegrass sounds of Punch Brothers scheduled to perform later this season.
Myers said the audience will hear both original songs and several recognizable covers at tonight's concert.
"This is a good show to bring at the beginning of the year. m-pact captivates audiences with their tight harmonies and raw percussive power using only their voices."
Curless said m-pact performs anywhere from 50 to 200 times a year both domestically and abroad, noting Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Indonesia and Italy as recent highlights.
"It's always amazing to be able to perform anywhere in Italy," Curless said.
Curless said while he enjoys touring, the only downside of touring is when tight scheduling makes it difficult to rest.
"The best part of touring is going places you may not have visited without the group. It's always good to be able to travel and have someone else pay for it," Curless said.
The sextet has performed with stars such as Sheryl Crow, Boyz II Men, Kenny G, Liza Minnelli, Babyface, Heart's Ann Wilson, Jackson Browne and Ray Charles and has been used in TV themes and animated Disney feature films.
On top of its touring and performance schedule, m-pact also teaches at summer camps and choral festivals around the world, instructing and performing at master classes, clinics, workshops and fundraising concerts. The group also offers artist in residency programs for school or community choral directors and their ensembles, according to their Web site.
Curless said the group's plans for the future include keeping with the music they want to do and to continue to share their music with more people.
While the group has never been to Ball State or even to Muncie, Curless said they are looking forward to tonight's performance.
"It's always great to perform in a college town. There's always a great vibe and appreciative crowds," he said.
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