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The journey came to an end Monday for Danielle Withers and the other members of Afro-Blue, after they were voted off in the penultimate show of NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

The Howard University-based Jazz performance ensemble made it to the top four bands in what judges called the “best of the best” in the popular singing competition.  But other doors are now opening for the 2002 Mason grad, who plans to move to Los Angeles this month to pursue them.

She sits down with MasonBuzz to share a look at the behind-the-scenes action involved in making the “Sing-Off,” how she discovered herself as a singer while attending Mason High School and her words of advice for aspiring performers.

• NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’ a “game-changer” for Mason grad
• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue
  

You were performing in Ethiopia with a band there but put it off to perform on “The Sing-Off.” How did it feel to get the call on to be on “Sing-Off’ and why did you choose to put your international career on hold?

It felt amazing to get the call to do “The Sing Off”! I’ve been watching the show since its inception, so to be asked to be a part of the show was like a dream come true.

(more…)

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, News |

Tags: Tags: afro-blue, ben folds, danielle withers, graduate, howard university, mason, mason high school, nbc, nick lachey, reality show, recording contract, sarah bareilles, shawn stockman, the sing-off

Danielle Withers, center, performs in the opening number in week 10 of NBC's "The Sing-Off." Photo credit/NBC

The dream came to an end Monday for Danielle Withers.

In a stunning upset, the 27-year-old Mason woman and her group, Afro-Blue, were ousted from the final four contestants on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue

“It was a tremendous opportunity,” said Withers, who’s now back in Mason.  “This updated us to a national platform to share what we do in the Jazz world.  It felt really good to have that platform and to be in a prime-time slot on NBC doing it.”

Now in its third season, the weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

The winner will be crowned by popular vote on a live season finale to air Nov. 28 (8 p.m., Channel 5).

The award-winning Jazz performance group started as a class in the music department at Howard University — Withers graduated in 2007 from Howard with a degree in music education.   It’s named after the famous John Coltrane song.

Afro-Blue, the only Jazz group to appear this season, quickly emerged as a tour de force, earning rave reviews from judges who praised the group’s sound and smart arrangements.

Danielle Withers prepares backstage before a performance on NBC's "The Sing-Off." Photo credit/NBC

Judges often singled out Withers, who took the lead in several performances, calling her an “amazing” vocalist.

“She’s fantastic,” said judge Sarah Bareilles.  “She has a presence that makes you feel like the stage is a very comfortable and natural extension of her personality.”

But amidst tough competition, the group found itself in the bottom two groups considered for elimination in recent weeks.

“This season was a very different season,” said Withers. “The choreography was a little more intense than other seasons.  Everything was a little more intense.”

While the “Sing-Off” doors have closed, other doors have opened for the white-hot Mason graduate.  She plans to move to Los Angeles this month to pursue the onslaught of professional opportunities coming her way.

“Being on ‘The Sing-Off’ has been a major game-changer for Afro-Blue,” said Withers.  “This opened the door of opportunities and now we can make this our life.  We definitely feel that amazing things are going to happen for us and we’re ready.”

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, News |

Tags: Tags: afro-blue, ben folds, danielle withers, graduate, howard university, mason, mason high school, nbc, nick lachey, reality show, recording contract, sarah bareilles, shawn stockman, the sing-off

Despite what judges called a “stellar” performance by Danielle Withers, team Afro-Blue still found itself in the nail-biting bottom two Monday on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

This is the third time in four weeks the Howard University-based group has found itself up for elimination. But its members say they aren’t ready to give up the fight.

“Music is my life, it’s what I love to do,” said Withers, 27, of Mason. “It’s so amazing that I get to share this with the world.”

• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue
• NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’ a ‘major game-changer’ for Mason grad

The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

On Monday, the top five teams were challenged to perform two numbers: a contemporary R&B song and a classic Motown track.

Afro-Blue first performed what judges called an emotional rendition of Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.” The group, which has been criticized by judges for “over-thinking” their arrangements in recent weeks, broke through and earned kudos for their mix.

“I think you guys are starting to understand the method behind arranging. That is what it’s all about: Not owning the song, but letting the song own you. You guys did that,” said judge Shawn Stockman.

Withers, a 2002 Mason graduate, took the vocal lead in the group’s second performance of the evening, “Best of My Love” by The Emotions, earning rave reviews by judges for her sound and presence.

“Danielle, when I think about you, I think about personality,” gushed judge Sara Bareilles. “You are a little bright shining star on stage. It’s been really fun to see you at that.”

Judges Ben Folds and Stockman admired the group’s signature Jazz style and said they delivered a “solid performance,” but said the group had holes in their chorus and that the number came undone in certain spots.

“It wasn’t exactly percolating like I know that you can do, but it was a lot of fun and you grabbed onto the groove and never let it go,” said Folds.

In the end, Afro-Blue found itself in a familiar position alongside Vocal Point in the bottom two groups considered for elimination. Judges eliminated Vocal Point, saying the group played it too safe and had toning issues.

Afro-Blue will advance as one of the final four teams to perform in the last taped show on Monday. Voting will be opened to the public after next week’s performance. The finale airs live on Monday, Nov. 28 (8 p.m., Channel 5).

Stay tuned to MasonBuzz for updates about Withers and Afro-Blue’s progress in the competition.  You can also follow Withers on Facebook.

View videos of Afro-Blue’s performances after the jump.

(more…)

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment |

Tags: Tags: afro-blue, ben folds, danielle withers, graduate, howard university, mason, mason high school, nbc, nick lachey, reality show, recording contract, sarah bareilles, shawn stockman, the sing-off

Danielle Withers and her group, Afro-Blue, narrowly escaped elimination Monday evening on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

It’s been a challenging several weeks for the Howard University-based Jazz group, which started the competition off strong but has faced criticism from judges in recent weeks for “over-thinking” their arrangements.

Withers, 27, of Mason, has previously expressed some of the 10-member group’s challenges in adapting different musical styles to Afro-Blue’s signature Jazz flavor.

• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue
• NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’ a ‘major game-changer’ for Mason grad

The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

Monday’s competition saw the remaining six groups performing two pieces, a rock hit and a country classic.

Withers took the vocal lead in Afro-Blue’s first performance of the evening, “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, for which the group received mixed reviews from judges Ben Folds, Sarah Bareilles and Shawn Stockman.

While Bareilles said she considered the group among the “most talented singers the show has ever seen,” she thought the group lost their identity in the piece and didn’t show a real connection to it.

“In this particular song, because of the fact that is a rock song, you might have almost been slightly intimidated by it,” Stockman told the group.  ”I felt like you felt like it didn’t relate to you.”

But if Afro-Blue felt deflated by the judges’ comments, they didn’t show it in their second performance of the evening, “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum.

The arrangement earned the group stand-up ovations from judges, who praised the performance as a “transcendental moment that created a tidal wave of power.”

“That’s going to be a moment that people come back and remember about this show and it was a really triumphant moment for you guys, Afro-Blue,” said an emotional Bareilles.

“You can sing something that touches you to the point where you can’t help but shed tears,” said Stockman.  ”It’s nothing better than to see a bunch of artists, a bunch of beautiful singers, connect with a song so deep that it touches everybody in the room.  Everybody felt that.”

But even Afro-Blue’s country comeback couldn’t save them from finishing with group Delilah among the bottom two groups considered for elimination.  Despite a strong rock performance, judges voted off Delilah, who they said exhibited pitch problems in their second piece.

Withers and Afro-Blue will next perform on Nov. 14. The final live episode will air later this month.

Stay tuned to MasonBuzz for updates about Withers and Afro-Blue’s progress in the competition.  You can also follow Withers on Facebook.

View Afro-Blue’s two performances after the jump.  (more…)

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment |

Tags: Tags: afro-blue, ben folds, danielle withers, graduate, howard university, mason, mason high school, nbc, nick lachey, reality show, recording contract, sarah bareilles, shawn stockman, the sing-off

Danielle Withers rocked her way to another week on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

Monday’s episode challenged the remaining seven groups to perform “Superstar Medleys.” Withers, 27, and her group, Afro-Blue, performed three Janet Jackson selections — a piece Withers said the group was “really excited about, or maybe it’s just me.”

• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue
• Watch Afro-Blue perform a Janet Jackson Medley
• Vote for your favorite performance from week 7
  

The 2002 Mason High School graduate took the vocal lead in much of the performance, along with group member Mariah Maxwell.

Judges praised the group’s sound and its lead vocalists, but echoed critique from earlier weeks that the group has a tendency to “over-think” parts of its arrangements.

Judge Shawn Stockman said the group performed an ambitious arrangement, and that they made it look “easy and effortless.”

Ben Folds called it a radical and smart arrangement and called out Withers for an “awesome” performance.

Sara Bareilles said the performance was perhaps too ambitious, but overall praised the 10-member Howard University-based group.

“You guys have amazing lead vocalists: Danielle, Mariah, you sounded amazing, I loved it,” gushed Bareilles. “You guys are such an amazing strong group; there’s something really, really special in Afro-Blue and I want to continue to see that blossom and grow.”

Withers, dressed in a black Flapper-style dress, also took the early vocal lead in a special Halloween-themed opening piece, performed by all seven remaining groups.

The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

Withers and Afro-Blue will next perform on Nov. 8. The final live episode will air later this month.

Stay tuned to MasonBuzz for updates about Withers and Afro-Blue’s progress in the competition.  You can also follow Withers on Facebook.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment |

Tags: Tags: a cappella, afro-blue, competition, danielle withers, halloween, howard university, janet jackson, mason, mason high school, nick lachey, recording contract, singing, superstar medleys, the sing-off, washington d.c.

Mason’s Danielle Withers and her group, Afro-Blue, survived another week on NBC’s “The Sing-Off” — but not without getting a taste of what it feels like to be in the bottom.

The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

After being divided into two brackets for the first four episodes, the remaining ten groups came together in last night’s show.

Afro-Blue found itself competing against two new groups, the Deltones and Pentatonix, which were previously in the other bracket.

This week, each group performed a “guilty pleasure” song.  Afro-Blue performed a playful and energetic take on Whitney Houston’s pop hit, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

• Watch: Afro-Blue perform “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”
• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue

“It’s very risky to do a Whitney Houston song because she’s known for being this amazing vocalist,” said Withers, 27, in a clip aired before the group performed.

The group received criticism last week from judges for “overthinking” their tunes, so Withers said it was important not to “jazzify” the piece up.

Judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles praised the group’s moves, but had mixed comments on their sound.

Stockman called the performance entertaining and smart” and praised the group’s female vocalists, including Withers, who “got their shine” in the arrangement.

“All of you sounded magnifio.  Everything was just candy.  Great job,” he said.

Folds also praised Withers and the other female vocalists and the group’s energy, but he critiqued their diction.

“The only thing I would say is just pronounce the words a little more,” he said.  “You guys are so amazing I can’t believe I’m lecturing you.”

Bareilles also praised the group’s dance moves, including a “wedding march” like move in which each singer strut their stuff.  But she too had some critique for the group’s sound.

“I was missing some of the meat in the middle,” she said.  “At the end it almost felt like it went a little sharp for me, but it was so much fun to watch.  I loved it.

Afro-Blue competed with four other groups in the show’s second half, with them and the Deltones in the bottom two.  Judges voted off the Deltones, saying they wanted more dynamics from the University of Delaware-based group.

“Right now we’re on a tightrope,” said Withers in the clip that aired during the show.  “We definitely don’t want to go home and we’re going to do what we have to to fight our way to the end.”

Afro-Blue next performs on Monday, Oct. 24.  Stay tuned to MasonBuzz for updates about Withers and Afro-Blue’s progress in the competition.  You can also follow Withers on Facebook.

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• Mason grad to compete on NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’
• NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’ a “major game-changer” for Mason grad

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: a cappella, afro-blue, competition, danielle withers, deltones, howard university, i wanna dance with somebody, mason, mason high school, nick lachey, pentatonix, recording contract, singing, the sing-off, washington d.c., whitney houston

Mason grad Danielle Withers and her group Afro-Blue survived the first round of NBC’s “The Sing-Off” in last night’s premiere.

Withers, 27, received considerable airtime in a brief introduction aired before the 10-member Jazz ensemble performed on stage.

The 2002 Mason grad spoke about the strong dynamics of the group and of the members’ musical aspirations.

“Being on ‘The Sing-Off’ would be a major game-changer for Afro-Blue,” she said.  “Everybody in the group wants a career in the music industry and what better platform than this.  We really, really need this.”

• Mason grad to compete on NBC’s ‘Sing-Off’
• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue

The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.  The final live episode will air in November.

At the beginning of the show, Lachey explained that because of the numbers of groups this year, the show will be divided in two brackets for the first four episodes.

The first bracket featured eight a cappella groups, split into two groups of four competing against each other, taking the stage with only six surviving the night.  The other bracket will be similarly whittled down in next week’s episode.

Afro-Blue competed against the Yellowjackets of the University of Rochester, the Fannin family of Hortonville, Wisc., and the all-female group Delilah.  The Fannin family was eliminated in the first round of the competition.

Afro-Blue received rave reviews from judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles for their performance of Corinne Bailey Ray’s “Put Your Records On.”

“You’ve made some really Jazzy stuff sound accessible,” said Folds, who praised the group’s bass work and mellow sound.

“I was sucked in from the beginning,” said Bareilles.  “I love the story behind your group coming together and that you’re seeking a deeper meaning in sharing music.  I can’t wait to hear what you do next.”

“You’ve made what is difficult for most singers look so easy,” said Stockman, who said the group was classy, smooth and had style.  “Great first job.”

The second half of the show saw groups Urban Method, Cat’s Pajamas, Kinfolk 9 and Vocalpoint performing, with the Cat’s Pajamas eliminated.  Next week the second bracket of eight groups will perform.

MasonBuzz will post updates each week as Withers progresses throughout the competition.  You can also follow Withers on Facebook.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: a cappella, afro-blue, competition, danielle withers, howard university, mason, mason high school, nick lachey, recording contract, singing, the sing-off, washington d.c.

Mason graduate Danielle Withers is used to being in the limelight.  She starred as Dorothy in Mason High School’s award-winning production of ‘The Wiz” and went on to perform backup for some of R&B’s top names.

But tonight she’ll take the national television stage for a chance to win a music contract and $200,000.

Withers will be featured on season three of NBC’s show “The Sing-Off” which kicks off at 8 p.m. tonight.

• View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue

“I’ve done a lot of traveling all over the world singing backup and its all been grueling,” said Withers, who’s now back in Mason.  “This was probably the most grueling experience I’ve ever had.  We rehearsed all day every day with no days off.  It was really intense and amazing.”

But, she adds, the experience provided a chance for the budding entertainer to hone her craft and do what she loves.

“It was never really a competition for us,” she said.  “For us it about the joy of singing.”

The weekly series follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.

The show runs for 11 weeks with the winning group crowned by popular vote in a final live episode in November.  Nick Lachey hosts with Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five), Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) and singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles as performance judges.

Withers, a Mason Homecoming Queen who was active in choir and drama before graduating in 2002, is among the 10-member group Afro-Blue.

The award-winning Jazz performance group started as a class in the music department at Howard University — Withers graduated in 2007 from Howard with a degree in music education.   It’s named after the famous John Coltrane song.

The group has performed around the world and received six Downbeat music magazine awards, including Best College Jazz Group, Outstanding College Jazz Choir, Best College Jazz Arrangement and Outstanding College Jazz Soloist.

Afro-Blue has recorded two CDs, “It’s a Matter of Pride” and “Freedom in Song.”

A local viewing party has been set up for 7 – 10:30 p.m. this evening at BD’s Mongolian Grille at 8655 Mason-Montgomery Road in Deerfield Township.  Withers’ friends and family invite the community to attend and lend their support.

“Danielle was a very good MHS student with an outstanding voice,” said Elaine Santos, Mason’s vocal music director. “We are so proud of her, and hopeful that she will capture America’s heart with her talent.”

The final live show will air in November.  Withers says she hopes the experience allows her to realize her dreams of becoming a professional entertainer.

“I would love to do musical theater and film and TV.  Singing is my passion, so I’ve been working on a gospel singer,” she said.  “All the things I love to do I can do them all and I’m hoping the show will open the door.”

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, News, Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: a cappella, afro-blue, competition, danielle withers, howard university, mason, mason high school, nick lachey, recording contract, singing, the sing-off, washington d.c.