Group.

Quintessence is an Ottawa-based group of six singers who specialise in a cappella performances of a wide variety of repertoire from big-band through to hits of recent years, as well as some original material. The group was originally formed in 1985 under the name of 'The Ottawa Jazz Choral,' and has developed a distinctive style to create melody, accompaniment and even percussion, all from only six voices. Many of the vocal arrangements that they perform are tailor-made to their voices by arrangers from within the group. Their influences include 'Manhattan Transfer,' Take Six,' the Swingle Singers,' 'Les Double Six,' and 'The Real Group.' Their performances include pieces ranging from Glenn Miller to George Gershwin, and from Bach to the Beach Boys. Quintessence has performed at a wide variety of engagements in Ontario and Quebec, as well as in Geneva, Switzerland and Sacramento, California. They have performed with Rosemary Clooney, Carol Welsman, The Canadian Symphonic Pops Orchestra, and the Bel Canto Wind Quintet. Their main aim is to have fun exploring the a cappella vocal medium!