‘Clear-singing’ Chanticleer treks through history of vocal music – JH News&Guide

One of the many strengths of Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer is its diversity.

“We’re from all over the U.S.,” said Matthew Mazzola, assistant music director of the nonprofit out of San Francisco and a tenor in his eighth season with the group. “I think we’re aged from mid 20s to mid 40s. … One of our favorite branding points is we come from so many different backgrounds.”

For example, after completing his higher education, Mazzola spent some time teaching elementary school music while also singing with groups around Houston. Bass vocalist Andy Berry, who holds degrees in music and psychology-neurology from Yale University, has sung opera throughout the U.S. and in Asia. Countertenor Adam Brett Ward studied French horn performance in college, winning many competitions on his instrument, and is now composer-in-residence for Chorale Chameleon, a vocal group in New York City, and for Vox Musica out of Sacramento. James Graveley founded and directs the quintet Highline Vocal Jazz and writes arrangements for other groups like Voces8.

“So, that’s a lot of experience,” Mazzola said.

Under current music director Tim Keeler, the dozen members of this “orchestra of voices” will put their panoply of experience to bear Thursday when Chanticleer performs its fantastically varied “Without a Song” program for the Grand Teton Music Festival’s second Gateway event of its 2025 season.

Founded in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botti to perform what he considered neglected medieval and renaissance music, Chanticleer has become one of the country’s finest all-male vocal ensembles, maintaining a busy touring schedule that takes it around the world. It has amassed a discography approaching 60 releases, including its Grammy-winning “Lamentations and Praises” and “Colors of Love.”

The group, which takes its names from the “clear-singing” rooster from Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” pulls upon the diversity of its members to sing arrangements from early music to classical, gospel, jazz, pop and new music, including many commissions.

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