MUSIC

If you’ve never seen someone beat-boxing to an a cappella tune, it might be hard to imagine that such realistic drum sounds can be replicated by the human mouth. Add a layer of voices that imitate various musical instruments (a guitar here, a xylophone there), then top it off with amazing solos and tight vocal harmonies, and you have the magic of modern a cappella music.
This magic comes to Marblehead Little Theatre when Custom Blend, one of New England’s finest a cappella groups, provides a special benefit performance on November 5 at the MLT firehouse theatre.
“We are very pleased to be doing this benefit for MLT,” says Marblehead resident Bill Duvel, a Custom Blend bass. “This is our chance to help MLT in its ongoing renovation of the historic firehouse landmark as an intimate performance and rehearsal space for the performing arts. And, of course, there’s the applause. We love to perform and this gives us the perfect venue.”
Custom Blend is comprised of 11 friends who simply enjoy each other’s company—and this joy is evident in every performance. The fact that they not only get to spend time together, but create music that folks love listening to, is pure icing on the cake. This mixed-voice group has been performing in venues throughout New England since 2004. Their blend of voices offers an eclectic mix of musical styles, including pop, jazz, soul, big-band, doo-wop, gospel and classical, although they are also known for throwing in some musical surprises along the way.
Certainly this is a fitting troupe of performers to be sharing their talents at a fundraiser directly benefiting MLT and its future as Marblehead’s beloved community theatre. Proceeds will go directly to MLT’s ongoing capital improvements campaign to renovate and rejuvenate its historic landmark building and to support local arts.
Custom Blend will be performing at the MLT on Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets for the fundraiser are $20 each ($15 for students and seniors over 65), and are available online at the MLT website, www.MLTLive.org, or by calling the box office at 781 631-9697. If not sold out, tickets will be offered at the door for $25.