Mosaic (vocal band)
Encyclopedia
Mosaic is a five-man vocal band from the United States. An innovative vocal collaboration, Mosaic combines elements of funk
, pop
, rock
, jazz
, R&B
, and even opera
to create a musical experience produced entirely by the human voice.
Joshua Huslig - founder - bass, baritone
Heath Burgett - tenor
Corwyn Hodge - tenor
Roopak Ahuja - baritone, tenor
Jake Moulton - vocal percussion, bass
and Universal Studios
in Orlando, FL
. Mosaic quickly became a cruise ship headlining act and corporate entertainment favorite.
The now Las Vegas
-based Mosaic moved rapidly from cruise ships and corporate conventions to venues such as opening act for comedian George Wallace
at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
and headlining at the Silverton Casino. Mosaic came to Wallace’s attention in early 2006 when one of his associates, Jack McKimmey, from the Flamingo happened to catch Mosaic performing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship during his vacation. McKimmey purchased one of Mosaic’s self-produced debut CDs titled "Will Sing 4 Food" and brought it back with him to Las Vegas to show Wallace. Wallace then invited Mosaic to open for him during his nightly show at the Flamingo for three weeks, but on the second night of their performance, he hired the group for the rest of the year.
Since that time, Mosaic has opened for such superstars as Prince
and Jay Leno
. Mosaic also performed alongside Joey Fatone
for TV Guide Network’s 51st Grammy Awards
red carpet event, which required the band to learn 30 of the year’s nominated songs. Soon after their Grammy red carpet performance, TV Guide Network hired Mosaic to write a custom theme song for its pre-Academy Award promotions. The song, written and performed by Mosaic, received national play throughout the 2009 Oscar season
.
Mosaic is also known throughout the Las Vegas area as staunch supporters of music and arts education in schools. The band frequently donates their time by hosting fundraisers for the Public Education Foundation and has “adopted” West Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, providing financial support to the school and scholarships to students with outstanding academic achievement.
and Motown
giants Boyz II Men
named Mosaic “The Next Great A Cappella Group” in the CBS "A Cappella Quest." In October 2008, Mosaic, with their unique instrument-free sound, was crowned the winner of MTV’s Top Pop Group
, beating out eight other singing groups, all of which used accompaniment tracks. In addition, in April 2009, Mosaic received two CARA Awards (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards) for their self-produced debut album, Will Sing 4 Food, including “Best Pop/Rock Album” and “Best Pop/Rock Song” for their cover of “Home”
by Marc Broussard
, featuring Marc Broussard on lead vocals.
. On the July 29, 2009 episode, “Vegas Verdicts Part 1,” Mosaic secured a spot as one of the show’s top 40 contestants. They were eliminated in the first week of the quarterfinals.
Mosaic Live! (2010)
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, and even opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
to create a musical experience produced entirely by the human voice.
Members
The five members of Mosaic are:Joshua Huslig - founder - bass, baritone
Heath Burgett - tenor
Corwyn Hodge - tenor
Roopak Ahuja - baritone, tenor
Jake Moulton - vocal percussion, bass
Biography
Bass vocalist, Josh Huslig, founded Mosaic in 2002. Mosaic is compromised of Joshua Huslig, Heath Burgett, Corwyn Hodge, Jake Moulton and Roopak Ahuja. Some of the members performed in various shows at Walt Disney WorldWalt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
and Universal Studios
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is wholly owned by NBCUniversal and its affiliates. The resort consists of two theme parks , Universal CityWalk , and three Loews Hotels...
in Orlando, FL
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Mosaic quickly became a cruise ship headlining act and corporate entertainment favorite.
The now Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
-based Mosaic moved rapidly from cruise ships and corporate conventions to venues such as opening act for comedian George Wallace
George Wallace (comedian)
George Henry Wallace is an American comedian and actor. He is number 93 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.-Early life:...
at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
and headlining at the Silverton Casino. Mosaic came to Wallace’s attention in early 2006 when one of his associates, Jack McKimmey, from the Flamingo happened to catch Mosaic performing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship during his vacation. McKimmey purchased one of Mosaic’s self-produced debut CDs titled "Will Sing 4 Food" and brought it back with him to Las Vegas to show Wallace. Wallace then invited Mosaic to open for him during his nightly show at the Flamingo for three weeks, but on the second night of their performance, he hired the group for the rest of the year.
Since that time, Mosaic has opened for such superstars as Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
and Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
. Mosaic also performed alongside Joey Fatone
Joey Fatone
Joseph Anthony "Joey" Fatone, Jr. is an American singer, dancer, actor and television personality. He is best known as a member of the boyband, 'N Sync, in which he sang baritone. In 2007, he came in second place on the ABC reality show Dancing with the Stars...
for TV Guide Network’s 51st Grammy Awards
51st Grammy Awards
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 8, 2009. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the biggest winners of the night, jointly winning five awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year...
red carpet event, which required the band to learn 30 of the year’s nominated songs. Soon after their Grammy red carpet performance, TV Guide Network hired Mosaic to write a custom theme song for its pre-Academy Award promotions. The song, written and performed by Mosaic, received national play throughout the 2009 Oscar season
Oscar season
Oscar season is the time period in which Hollywood studios release their more critically acclaimed films, hoping to win at the Academy Awards. Oscar season usually begins in the fall, around November, although the date in which the summer blockbuster season ends and the Oscar season begins are...
.
Mosaic is also known throughout the Las Vegas area as staunch supporters of music and arts education in schools. The band frequently donates their time by hosting fundraisers for the Public Education Foundation and has “adopted” West Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, providing financial support to the school and scholarships to students with outstanding academic achievement.
Awards and recognition
In December 2007, after conducting a nationwide search for musical talent, CBS News' The Early ShowBoyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
and Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
giants Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
named Mosaic “The Next Great A Cappella Group” in the CBS "A Cappella Quest." In October 2008, Mosaic, with their unique instrument-free sound, was crowned the winner of MTV’s Top Pop Group
MTV's Top Pop Group
MTV's Top Pop Group was a competition consisting of nine pop groups looking to be the next Top pop group. The show aired on MTV and was hosted by Mario Lopez. The judges were Brian Friedman , Michelle Williams and Taboo...
, beating out eight other singing groups, all of which used accompaniment tracks. In addition, in April 2009, Mosaic received two CARA Awards (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards) for their self-produced debut album, Will Sing 4 Food, including “Best Pop/Rock Album” and “Best Pop/Rock Song” for their cover of “Home”
Carencro (album)
Carencro is the major label debut of Louisiana musician Marc Broussard. The album was released by Island Records on August 3, 2004. The album title pays tribute to the musician's hometown of Carencro, Louisiana....
by Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard is an American singer/songwriter. His style is best described as "Bayou Soul," a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock, and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots...
, featuring Marc Broussard on lead vocals.
America's Got Talent
On July 22, 2009, Mosaic appeared as a contestant in the preliminary rounds of "America's Got Talent" Season 4, receiving a standing ovation from the Los Angeles audience for their rendition of “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
. On the July 29, 2009 episode, “Vegas Verdicts Part 1,” Mosaic secured a spot as one of the show’s top 40 contestants. They were eliminated in the first week of the quarterfinals.
Performances/Results
| Week | Song choice |
Original artist |
Performance order |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | "Shining Star" | Earth, Wind, and Fire | N/A | Advanced |
| Vegas Verdicts | N/A | N/A | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 40 Group 1 |
"Superstition Superstition (song) "Superstition" is a popular song written, produced, arranged, and performed by Stevie Wonder for Motown Records in 1972, when Wonder was 22 years old. It was the lead single for Wonder's Talking Book album, and released in many countries. It reached number one in the USA, and number one on the soul... "/"I Wish" |
Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... |
7 | Eliminated |
Discography
Will Sing 4 Food (2008)- Thank You
- Shining Star
- Creature
- Vecchia Zimarra
- Vecchia Zimarra (Remix)
- Summertime
- Lean On Me
- Seven
- You Saw My Face
- You Can't Get Far
- Manhattan Groove
- Home feat. Marc Broussard
Mosaic Live! (2010)
- Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
- The Name Game
- More Bounce to the Ounce
- Anytime
- The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- Vecchia Zimarra
- Take 5
- Lean On Me
- Mack the Knife
- I Gotta Feelin'