Professional Showcase
The House Jacks, Eclipse, Lilli Lewis and Matt Murphy
Saturday, November 7, 7:30pm

The House Jacks of San Francisco are the original "rock band without instruments." Using nothing more than their five voices (and mouths), they deliver everything from blistering funk to screaming rock to heart-melting ballads for their ever-growing legions of fans. These pioneering musicians have performed thousands of shows and have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music. Their music can also be heard in places as far-reaching as movie soundtracks, radio spots, and computer operating systems.

The House Jacks have performed thousands of shows at Stadiums (from Fenway to Candlestick), Theaters/Clubs (from Carnegie Hall to the House of Blues), Colleges (from Dartmouth to Stanford), Festivals (from The World Expo to the Black and White Ball), in locations around the US and internationally, including France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Japan and Singapore, appearing with (to name a few) with Ray Charles, James Brown, Train, LL Cool J, the Neville Brothers, Bill Clinton, Crosby Stills and Nash, Colin Powell, the Temptations, George Carlin, The Four Tops, Run-DMC, and many others.

So what is a "house jack?" It's what you use when you want to move a house, naturally! Anyone who's seen these incredible musicians perform live will tell you that the name is appropriate. They give a whole new meaning to "raise the roof!"

Eclipse is a vocal group of six creating explosive sound, driving rhythms, and lush harmonies using only one instrument: the human mouth. The six members of Eclipse originally met while performing in a public relations /ambassador-oriented group that was part of the department of Programs and Entertainment at Utah State University. They began by arranging their own vocal covers of popular songs and performing them on campus and in the Logan area. Increasing public interest and performance opportunities led to the recording of their first album, "Once," which was released in April 2001. Following the release, the band was accepted to compete in the Northwest Regional Harmony Sweepstakes Competition. They took first place and were featured at the National Competition in May 2001 with the 8 other Regional winners from around the nation.

In September 2001, Eclipse was asked by Kenny Ortega, Olympic Ceremonies Director, to perform a featured number in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. This led to other incredible performance opportunities, including a featured spot in the Closing Ceremonies and a series of appearances at the Medals Plaza opening for such acts as Brooks & Dunn, Nelly Furtado, and Train!

Lilli Lewis has been playing the piano since she was three years-old, and composing music for just as long. Raised on a dirt road outside of Athens, GA, the award-winning classical pianist and soprano is now known to fans from Seattle to Paris, moving audiences around the world with her original music since 2002. LilliÕs early immersion in classical music is now met with blues, folk and soul traditions that conjure rich echoes of Odetta and Roberta Flack. She has self-produced four LPs since 2003, each capturing a unique snapshot of the American musical terrain, ever-revealing the heart of a truthful sojourner. Her most recent recording, ÒOut From Yonder: Songs, Mirrors and Incantations from Shambhala LandÓ is an all-a cappella excursion into sacred song traditions from around the globe. Inspired by the landscapes of Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, CO, the collection reveals stirring melodies mingling with snaps, claps, drums, Hindu mantra and Tuvan throat singing. In August 2008, original selections from ÒOut From YonderÓ rendered Lilli a regional finalist for the acclaimed Mountain Stage Newsong Competition. With just her voice, Lilli weaves a one-woman expedition through universal themes like beauty, peace, self-declaration and without a doubt, love.

Matt Murphy is a drummer and vocal percussionist based out of Denver, CO. He studied under Mike Marlier at the Lamont School of Music at Denver University in jazz performance, but quickly realized carrying just a microphone and maybe a loop pedal to gigs was a lot easier than a full six piece drum set, so took up vocal percussion. As a member of Groove Society, a touring jazz a capella group, he first began giving clinics across the country. He now combines his theoretical knowledge and intuition of jazz drumming to beatbox and performs with groups such as the jazz/hip-hop group, The Saurus, and some of the many incarnations of Mr. Tim's vocal groups. He believes beatbox is sometimes regarded by others as a gimicky inflexible "instrument." As a drummer, Matt just knows it's the easiest way to cheat.