Album Notes

The Essentials are a Toronto-based acappella group that has moved from their beginnings in London, Ontario to international acclaim as "one of the finest a cappella groups in the world".

Their unique arrangements of songs from the 50's to present day have won the respect of fans everywhere.

Their busy touring schedule has taken them to hundreds of cities in North America and Europe including Vancouver, Winnipeg, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and New York. Their trip across the Atlantic saw them performing for thousands of enthusiastic listeners throughout Great Britain. They have performed with some of the most respected names in the entertainment industry including Little Richard, The Platters and Burton Cummings.

Their first two CDs have helped to spread the word of their talent around the world having sold thousands to fans on every continent. In collaboration with legendary music producer, Jack Richardson, The Essentials' first CD, "Oh What A Night!" took no time at all to reach the top of the indie charts and created a huge demand for a follow up album. The result was a second CD "The Essentials ...And Then Some" which garnered the group a host of glowing reviews and several prestigious industry nominations.

With two consecutive home runs, the group decided to try a little twist. They recorded a live show in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and the result was their third album Bare.

In 2000, The Essentials were cast along with Paula MacNeill in the CBS movie A Holiday Romance (alternate title: A Song For The Season), starring Andy Griffith, Naomi Judd, and Gerald McRaney. More recently, they were cast in a national ad campaign for Bell XpressVu, which featured them singing the Canadian National Anthem. This sparked several invitations from both the Toronto Raptors as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs to sing both the U.S. and Canadian anthems at their home games.

In 2007, The Essentials began recording what fans for years have been asking for: a Christmas CD! They released a 3-track single called Stocking Stuffer in November 2007. The CD was released to radio and played on dozens of radio stations from coast to coast. Before Christmas 2007 had even arrived, the CD was certified gold in Canada.

Their full length Christmas CD, Remember December is set for release on November 8th, 2008.

Hot on the trail of their November 2008 Christmas CD will be the release of a yet untitled CD that will feature mainly original material. "We may want to make the next album more radio-friendly by adding light, tasteful instrumentation", said tenor Dan Speck. Joon Nah added, "But we won't stray too far from what got us here: strong, thick and unique vocal harmonies with memorable melodies". Thom Speck and Joe Oliva were sitting silently through this exciting exchange of words between their bandmates.

When not in the recording studio, The Essentials will continue to perform and sell out shows across North America. With the support of those who know them already, and the enthusiasm of the thousands who will discover them this year, The Essentials will continue to enjoy what they do like no other group . . . sing!