You are correct! Pentatonix is not an a capella group, they are THE acapella group that has redefined a capella for the entire music industry! Celebrating 10 years together, 3 Grammy wins, originals albums, cover albums & Christmas albums! Great reaction!
matt is the only member who is not original......avi the original bass amicably left the group to take care of his ailing grandmother ..and helped pentatonix find matt as his replacement
@@perrystevenson6364 In those days PTX were working like maniacs, constantly inventing, rehearsing, recording, touring, making appearances. Family was something very important to Avi, his support system as he called them, and he had hardly seen them in years. After he told the group about his decision to leave permanently, he still made time to finish an album and a tour and as Perry said, to held find an appropriate bass for the group. Matt has a different voice and style than Avi but is just as talented. Which one is better? Which one are you listening to at the moment?
sorry to be off topic but does someone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
They are all original except Matt (white jacket, bass). Kirsten and Mitch change looks all the time. Tall middle one is Scott. Scott, Mitch and Kirsten grew up together. Beatbox master is Kevin who is also a beautiful singer. Sooooo just one change (Avi to Matt) in 10 plus years.
Kirstie is not only an original member, she was also a founding member of The Trio, the group that eventually morphed into Pentatonix. As others have pointed out, only Matt (far left) is a new member, the only membership change in the ten-year history of the group. I'm glad you made the Police Academy reference. I've always thought that too, but I've never heard another reactor make that connection. Since you like both Halloween and Christmas, you should check out their version of Making Christmas from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is mind-blowing!
This performance gets me EVERY DAMN TIME. I just can’t get over the emotion and skill. Everyone brought their A game here.. and Matt distinguished himself FAR beyond what people expected at first. They are the best for a reason.
Here is my quick intro to the group to bring you back up to speed. PTX is a five member “a Capella” (without instruments) vocal band formed in 2011 for the NBC television reality competition show “The Sing Off”. The original members are “the trio”, who went to high school together in Arlington, Texas made up of: SCOTT HOYING, (male, 6’3”, usually blond) who sings baritone, but has a wide vocal range and covers the bass line of songs when the normal bass is singing a lead. MITCH GRASSI, (male, 5’10”, normally black hair but has changed body mass, wardrobe and hair style so much in videos he’s often mistaken for different people) who has an amazingly high range (contra tenor) that some mistake for a second female voice. KIRSTIN MALDONADO, (female, 5’4”, natural hair color is black but changed it often in videos) who sings mezzo soprano and, for a time in 2018 between the group’s tours, had the female lead on Broadway in the production of “Kinky Boots”. Added to “the trio” for the show were: AVI KAPLAN, (Male, 5’11”, long dark hair, beard, usually wears a knit hat of some kind) is a classically trained “basso profundo”. He provides the vocal bass line as well as added vocal percussion but often uses his upper registry to sing vocal leads in a number of arrangements. Avi is the ONLY member of the band that has change. He left on good terms in 2017 for reasons related to conflicting demands of the band’s touring schedule and his personal/family commitments. He assisted the group in finding his replacement Matt Sallee. KEVIN OLUSOLA (male, 6’1”, black, changing hair style) known as “KO” was asked to join PTX to provide vocal percussion after Scott watched a RUclips video of him “cello boxing” (beatboxing while playing his cello). KO is the classic over achiever of the group. He plays Cello, Piano, and Saxophone all at concert levels. He graduated pre-med from Yale, speaks Spanish and spent over a year in China where he became fluent in Chinese. He sings Tenor but vocals were not his strong suite when he started so he worked with other band members and a vocal coach until while on tour he would perform the featured vocals in "if I ever fall in love", (originally performed by guest artist Jason Derulo for the album and video). He also writes and produces music both individually and for the group. So, KO is more than “just the beatboxer”. The most recent member and the only change in the group’s membership is: MATT SALLEE, (male, 5’9” black with usually close-cut black hair) who replaced Avi Kaplan in 2017 to provide vocals, vocal bass and percussion. Matt can be heard using his exceptional upper vocal range to provide a rich tenor/baritone lead often ending with a slide down to a deep bass punch. Things you need to know because if you get these wrong Pentaholics will come after you with pitch forks and torches! 1- There is NO Auto-Tune; what you hear is actually what they sing. They really are that good. 2- What produces everything that you hear in the video, you see in the video. If there is an instrument used in the music, you see it on screen. 3- They never release something on video they can’t reproduce with the exact same quality live on-stage. Enjoy the ride.
Scott, Kirstin, Mitch and Kevin (Beatboxer) are all original....Avi, the previous bass left and Matt is his replacement (far left with white jacket). Mitch and Kirstin change their looks ALL the time...Kevin sings, plays Cello (classically trained) and can "Cellobox"....check out his solo work, including the cover of DOWN.
@@libertarianguy5567 You are absolutely right. I viewed the video last night and was horrified that I made such a blunder. Thank you for the correction.
@@ronstewart2703 No problem, I did the same thing right after it came out. Took me a little while before I consistently remembered it was called "Making Christmas". Honest mistake.
I cannot recommend Voiceplay's Oogie Boogie song enough! That video was my intro to Voiceplay and I've followed all their stuff since - as well as Geoff 's solo work. Oogie Boogie had my jaw on the floor throughout and my rump followed my jaw to the floor at the end - Brad knows what I'm talking about!
@@stevensallsorts Pentatonix wasn’t a thing until Avi and Kevin arrived. Yes, the trio got popular before Ptx but they weren’t Ptx until they were five, I believe what this person means.
Thank you for reacting to this awesome Pentatonix cover. They are amazing. I hope that you will react to them again in the near future. Later this year will be their 10-year anniversary. They have hundreds of songs and videos from which to choose. They have covers and original songs. They also have 3 Grammy awards.
The three in the middle (Kirstie, Scott, Mitch) have been together since junior high school, I think. Kirstie and Mitch do change their appearance often, so I can see where you might get confused. The three of them added a bass singer (Avi at first, now Matt) and a beat boxer (Kevin) to form Pentatonix (3 Grammys won).
The beatboxer's name is Kevin Olusola and he has his own channel "KO" This guy is AMAZING, He does a cover of Marian Hill's "Down" Where he beatboxes, plays the electric cello and sings all in the same song. It will knock your socks off !!!
My favorite song cover of theirs is "Say Something" you can feel the emotion in their voices. And the video looks like they are living the lyrics of the song.
If you think sounding like a helicopter is awesome, watch Mitch sound like a guitar in their cover of bohemian rhapsody. In the song he uses a megaphone but he can do it without it as well. Live he does it without the megaphone. Please react to it, it’s awesome!
In that same video, Kevin impersonates an entire drum kit with cymbals complete with high hats and everything. Also Avi pretends to be a bass guitar and wind chimes. On top of that, Scott and Kirsten try to mimic a synthesizer. This isn't all at once, but it spreads out throughout the course of the video. Wherever there is potentially empty space or dead air, someone will try and fill it by pretending to be a musical instrument.
If this blew you away, I would encourage you to listen to something from their new album The Lucky Ones. It was released in February and it is jaw-dropping that there are no instruments. They also just released a 90's dance medley 10 days ago that is 🔥.
YES!!!! The medley is total FIRE!!! I cant get it out of my head lol!! You just possibly CANT go wrong with a Pentatonix song!!! May I suggest one that isnt listened to all that much?? Their song "Sing" is just like...ughhh needs to be the anthem of the world now!! Stay safe and healthy
If you liked Pentatonix, you have to react to Home Free. They are amazing and have a great sense of humor that shows up in a lot of their videos. Check out Man of Constant Sorrow, and Ring of Fire.
Moving left to right. Matt is in the white jacket and he is the bass and sometimes sings. He replaced Avi in 2017. Avi left for personal family reasons on good terms with Pentatonix and actually helped to find Matt. He has a solo career now. Check out change on the rise. Every single sound you hear every single word you hear Avi did it. The next one is Kirstin, rhymes with thirsty, she's an original member but changes her look all the time. The middle is Scott the baritone and he has a really good range. when Matt is singing he takes over on the bass. I absolutely love the coat he is wearing. The next one is Mitch who's a countertenor and he changes his look all the time and he is an original member. And finally Kevin is the beatboxer. He's does Play The Cello in some videos and will occasionally sing such as amazing grace, imagine, Mary Did You Know. I think they have put out a Christmas album every year since 2013 and with the exception of 2016 and 2020 they have been the number one Christmas album. But don't quote me on the numbers and not really sure. They just released an album in February titled the lucky ones which is all original songs. They have won three Grammys. The first for Daft Punk which was filmed in Avi and Kevin's kitchen recorded in a closet on a $400 budget. The second is for Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The e third was for Jolene with Dolly Parton but you never really hear people talk about it. They've been around since 2013 when they won The Sing-Off. They just released their 90s dance Melody Mitch and Scott have their own group on the side titled Superfruit. They do have music on their Channel but they also have a lot of 10-15 minutes videos of them goofing off. Check out their cover of rise by Katy Perry. I have seen a lot of videos floating around that is just Scott. Kevin has his own channel entitled KO. Check out his cover of Marian Hills Down. Kevin also plays the piano and I think a wind instrument. He speaks fluent Mandarin and graduated from Yale Premed. On a second note, Paul Simon heard Disturbed cover of Sound of Silence. It brought tears to his eyes and he said that David Draiman was meant to sing that song.
For a great, fun Halloween/Christmas song you have to check out their version of Making Christmas. Their Bohemian Rhapsody is also amazing. Kirstie and Mitch are always changing their looks but it’s always them! Matt is the only new member. He replaced Avi Kaplan when he left for family reasons. He’s been with them for over three years now.
Makeup and hair changes can make one woman look like a thousand different women. What I found hard to believe was that anyone who'd ever listened to PTX before, even if only a few times, would mistake _the voice._ Kirstie's technique with her vibrato was a little different here, I think she was (still?) channeling her inner Dolly Parton (PTX having previously collaborated with that worthy)
This is how I see "The Sound of Silence". Simon & Garfunkel's version: a soft warning about not sharing the music/talent in one's self, due to fear of rejection. Disturbed's version: An angry tone, because many have not heard the warning. Pentatonix's version: re-shouting the warning, but with hope (since PTX are only 5 voices that make such beautiful music)
In this video, from left to right: • Matt Sallee (pronounced Suh-lee', emphasis on the second syllable), lyric bass, and the *only* new member of Pentatonix. Matt joined after Avi (pronounced Ah'-vee, emphasis on the first syllable) Kaplan left Pentatonix for personal reasons in 2017. When I heard them at their Denver concert on November 20, 2022 I would swear that Matt's lowest note was as low as anything I ever heard from Avi (and Avi's low notes have been known to blow out speakers in live performances) and his highest note was actually in the *tenor* range! • Kirstin (also known as Kirstie - rhymes with thirsty) Maldonado, mezzo soprano, though she actually sings anything from alto through coloratura soprano. Kirstie grew up with Mitch and Scott in Arlington, Texas and is one of the original members of Pentatonix, but her appearance has changed greatly. Her hair color changes frequently; she's had surgery to repair some nerve damage in her upper lip, so her smile looks different now; and her figure has matured (she was just 19 when Pentatonix appeared on _The Sing-Off_ in 2011). People frequently think they see someone new when it's actually Kirstie or Mitch. • Scott Hoying, lyric baritone. Scott's lowest notes are in the bass range and his highest are in the tenor range. • Mitch Grassi (pronounced Grah'-see, emphasis on the first syllable), counter tenor. Mitch has a range of just over six octaves! His voice was described by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men as "one of the prettiest voices I have ever heard in my life." But in high school he was bullied for how high his voice was and he still has anxieties about it and about his musical intuition. Thankfully, during lockdown he finally began getting help to deal with these issues. Mitch also frequently changes his hair color (dark, blond, purple...) and style (he had a shaved head for a while) and his facial hair. Sometimes he appears with glasses and sometimes without. And his weight tends to be variable. But when he opens his mouth that beautiful counter tenor voice always comes out. • Kevin Olusola (pronounced Oh-loosh"-oh-luh', primary emphasis on the second syllable, secondary emphasis on the fourth), beatboxer extraordinaire. Kevin has a degree in pre-med from Yale. He speaks five languages, including Mandarin. He plays piano/keyboard, saxophone, and cello. He beatboxes *while* playing the cello (he calls it "celloboxing"). He is one of the best beatboxers in the world, if not *the* best. And he appeared at Carnegie Hall twice before he ever heard of Pentatonix. We don't hear it often enough because Kevin is generally too busy being an entire drum kit, but Kevin has a lovely tenor voice and is known for the beauty of his falsetto range. And when he laughs it could light up the world.
OMG great reaction. Okay Jen, the female singer, has always been there. Her name is Kirstie, however, she does change her hair color a lot. you are also right about her being beautiful, she's beautiful inside and out, with an absolutely beautiful voice to match. Jen, they've done over 160 songs. All of them are good, but we all have our favorites. I envey you. You have so many great songs to still listen to. Enjoy yourself, but be warned, it's very easy to become a pentaholic. 😊
About Halloween. Pentatonix appeared as one of the featured acts during a Halloween special in 2018, I believe. They sang "What Is This Feeling?" from the musical, Wicked, and Mitch and Kirstie are just too, too, adorable. They release their Christmas album almost every year in October, and often include one or more seasonal autumn/winter songs along with the traditional schmaltz. Check out their catalogue. Anything you choose will be outstanding. Pentatonix aims for perfection, and usually achieves it. Welcome to our favorite vocal band.
Here are my favorites by Pentatonix: Carol of the Bells (Christmas) (14 November 2012) The Wizard of Ahhhs by Todrick Hall ft. Pentatonix (16 July 2013) Daft Punk Medley (4 November 2013 Grammy winner) Mary, Did You Know? (Christmas) (11 November 2014) Hallelujah (Christmas) (21 October 2016) Bohemian Rhapsody (7 April 2017) Matt replaces Avi as bass Havana (23 February 2018) The Sound of Silence (15 February 2019) Can you feel the love tonight? (23 August 2019) Blinding Lights (1 July 2020) Dreams (22 July 2020) Amazing Grace (5 November 2020) also.. Home Free produces some GREAT a cappella covers such as.. Ring of Fire featuring Avi kaplan (25 July 2014) Mayday (17 November 2017) Man of Constant Sorrow (28 September 2018) Folsom Prison Blues (25 September 2020) American Pie featuring Don McLean (3 February 2021) When a Man Loves a Woman (12 February 2021) ** Thanks ..
With Avi, I would add "Sing", "Love Again" and "Can't Hold Us". "Sing" and "Love Again" are both PTX originals. "Can't Hold Us" is probably the only rap song I like.
@@libertarianguy5567 I’m not sure u could call it a rap song lmao. It has some rapping in it, doesn’t mean it’s a rap song. That’s it’s own distinct thing.
Kevin will beatbox and play the cello at the same time! It is crazy how good he is! Have you heard Making Christmas? Yes, Kirsten is the original girl!
The beatboxer has a fabulous voice, plays cello, saxophone, .I could liste to hime all day. The girl is the original, she and Mitch change their look frequently
Try their covers of Amazing Grace and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. Massive walls of amazing harmony! An original that is hauntingly beautiful is Run to You. ❤️
This is my unmovable favorite, with Hallelujah about a thousandth of an inch behind! But I think a case could be made for Bohemian Rhapsody being the most overwhelming example of their unparalleled sheer talent.
There are also Voctave (all ex-Disney singers) and one I've just discovered called Six Appeal, with two woman singers. Their is also a Voctave video with Kirstie, doing Disney (Princess) songs
YES! Kirstie (rhymes with "thirsty") is the original ("blond chick") part of the trio of high school friends that morphed into Pentatonix, just in time to recruit a bass and a beatboxer to enter the "Sing-Off Season 3" competition and launch themselves into their grand career. Kirstie changes her look about every six months, but she remains the 5'0" powerhouse of raw singing power that I absolutely adore. You really owe it to yourself to check out their latest release: 90'S DANCE MEDLEY. Kirstie is a ditsy Marilyn Monroe persona in it, until she opens up and knocks your socks off. They're all wonderful. I liked and subscribed in hopes that you would review at least five or ten more from the catalogue.
The three in the middle, Kirsten, Scott, and Mitch meet in high school and started singing together, the original 3, shortly after they found Avi they original bass, and before they went on the show Sing Off, they found there percussion guy Kevin, and of course they won, and the PTX journey begin, with Avi leaving in 2017, and them finding Matt to replace him.
Fun fact: The beatboxer (Kevin) is known as the Human 808, which is the OG drum machine created in the '80s. Also, not only does he beatbox and sing, but he also plays cello.
@@libertarianguy5567 Also, though it's an entirely different song, I swear their rendition of 'My Favorite Things' has a very similar Halloween vibe. It's probably the aesthetic of the video that gives it that extra feeling (or maybe it's just me being weird.. haha!)
Besides Kirstie changing her look almost as much as Mitch, she has also gained more confidence in her voice and herself since being on Broadway. And if the opportunity ever arises...GO see them in concert! They are phenomenal 😁💜
I was getting more than a touch of Dolly Parton in her technique here, considering the core three are Texas folk who idolized Dolly, and got to work with her on their collaborative cover/arrangement of "Jolene"
If you think Kevin (the beat boxer) is sick here, listen to their "Daft Punk" (medley) - which was SO good that they got a Grammy for it. As to new/old? Mitch and Kirstie change their look nearly every video. Scott and Kevin don't change looks that often. Matt (bass singer in white coat) is actually the only new guy because their original bass, Avi, had to depart for family issues. But Matt fits in just fine.
If you like Halloween, find their " What Is This Feeling?" from Wicked they did for Wicked's 10th anniversary show several years ago. It's A masterpiece!
You were talking about the changing looks -- a funny summary someone said once: Kirstie: Changes her look for every video Mitch: Changes his look every album Kevin: Takes six years to grow a beard
To truly appreciate their overall development, go to the original Sing Off videos (which they won) and see them all below the age of 20! Yup, the passage of time has been great for them. Their entire story is textbook about how to win, fail, then win in such a big way, ie: 3 Grammys so far, that shocks the Entertainment, not JUST music, industry. Their 1st Grammy, Daft Punk Medley: cost=$400.00, was shot in their kitchen, recorded in a closet and was produced by them & their long time associate Ben Bram (the "Secret Sauce"). Never say CANT!
Jen, "that girl" *IS* the original girl in the band, Kirstie. She just changes her look occasionally. In fact, the three people in the middle of the line are the three founding members of Pentatonix.
Yessss,they are really goood,excellent,and a new stuf is out(90's dance medley-----crazy good)...buttt...there are others good as PTX.My favorite acapella band---HOME FREE.They are realy realy gooood.Maybe for start--"Man of constant sorow",or Johny Cash cover-"Ring of fire"..or--"Go rest high on that mountain".....Or maybe--VoicePlay-(that's the another band)...
A great Christmas song is their version of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. A must is their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody (absolutely brilliant) and their Daft Punk medley.
Hi Jen I know it's only July but I think the world would appreciate fast forwarding to Christmas. We humans are not taking care of each other, our planet, and more importantly, our spiritual souls. My favorite Christmas carol of all time is, O Come All Ye Faithful .... Please react to the Official Video, of the same, by Pentatonix. You won't regret it... Thank you! Merry Christmas 🎁 🎄
Kevin is an amazing beatboxer and musician in general. Worth checking out his own work recording under his name Kevin Olusola (or KO) if someone were to ask what instrument he plays I think the answer would be "YES" and he shows you. His cover of Down is good for some electric cello and beatboxing, I LOVE his cover of Sign of the Times and Human Nature. Beautiful stuff well worth checking out.
You are correct she was a blonde but she is an original from their start in 2011. She changes her hair with every video. They all do the beatboxing and music with their voices/mouths. Yes in 2017 Avi K. left and that is when the other gentlemen joined the group he is the only change to the group. I am new to your channel I didn't see a review/reaction to Pentatonix of Bohemium Rhapsody.!! They have made 2 Christmas albums and they tour that time of the year also. You will not be disappointed Luv. I really enjoyed your reaction. Also Home Free did a cover to Boyz to Men "End of the Road" they killed awesome worth your time if you have not checked that one out yet.
Thoroughly enjoyable reaction! I see Kirstie deceived you - still the same, as it turns out. I’m not sure if you’ve seen their “Hallelujah”. If not, you are in for a treat. That one has +600 million views and I’m sure you’ll love it. Thanks for posting.
They have a 90's Medley with autotune, but only for effect, they could do it without, but it gave the 90's aesthetic. It's great! I recommend it very much. The guy from beat box can also play cello professionally, also great at trumpet, plays piano, speaks fluent Mandarin, he has some insane solo stuff! If you want to see some solo stuff look for Kevin Olusola Down cover.
Another amazing cover of this song is by Peter Hollens and Tim Foust (the bass from Home Free). Just the two of them, but it sounds like an entire choir.
What I would kill to see, is them doing Songs from The Carpenters. Many of the riffs and melodies they did here sounded so much like what The Carpenters did.
You are correct! Pentatonix is not an a capella group, they are THE acapella group that has redefined a capella for the entire music industry! Celebrating 10 years together, 3 Grammy wins, originals albums, cover albums & Christmas albums! Great reaction!
Karen, they are fantastic but Home Free is also fantastic. Those 2 groups are the best Acapella groups.
Amen Katen
Sorry, Katen
@@joannegraybeal8323 Karen*
They're all original except Matt in the white jacket is the new bass.
..
matt is the only member who is not original......avi the original bass amicably left the group to take care of his ailing grandmother ..and helped pentatonix find matt as his replacement
@@perrystevenson6364 In those days PTX were working like maniacs, constantly inventing, rehearsing, recording, touring, making appearances. Family was something very important to Avi, his support system as he called them, and he had hardly seen them in years. After he told the group about his decision to leave permanently, he still made time to finish an album and a tour and as Perry said, to held find an appropriate bass for the group. Matt has a different voice and style than Avi but is just as talented. Which one is better? Which one are you listening to at the moment?
sorry to be off topic but does someone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account?
I was dumb forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me.
@Zeke Malachi Instablaster :)
They are all original except Matt (white jacket, bass). Kirsten and Mitch change looks all the time. Tall middle one is Scott. Scott, Mitch and Kirsten grew up together. Beatbox master is Kevin who is also a beautiful singer. Sooooo just one change (Avi to Matt) in 10 plus years.
Yah, Kirsti and Mitch both change their looks regularly. Matt took over the bass when Avi Kaplan left in 2017.
Kirstie is not only an original member, she was also a founding member of The Trio, the group that eventually morphed into Pentatonix. As others have pointed out, only Matt (far left) is a new member, the only membership change in the ten-year history of the group. I'm glad you made the Police Academy reference. I've always thought that too, but I've never heard another reactor make that connection. Since you like both Halloween and Christmas, you should check out their version of Making Christmas from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is mind-blowing!
This performance gets me EVERY DAMN TIME. I just can’t get over the emotion and skill. Everyone brought their A game here.. and Matt distinguished himself FAR beyond what people expected at first. They are the best for a reason.
Here is my quick intro to the group to bring you back up to speed.
PTX is a five member “a Capella” (without instruments) vocal band formed in 2011 for the NBC television reality competition show “The Sing Off”. The original members are “the trio”, who went to high school together in Arlington, Texas made up of:
SCOTT HOYING, (male, 6’3”, usually blond) who sings baritone, but has a wide vocal range and covers the bass line of songs when the normal bass is singing a lead.
MITCH GRASSI, (male, 5’10”, normally black hair but has changed body mass, wardrobe and hair style so much in videos he’s often mistaken for different people) who has an amazingly high range (contra tenor) that some mistake for a second female voice.
KIRSTIN MALDONADO, (female, 5’4”, natural hair color is black but changed it often in videos) who sings mezzo soprano and, for a time in 2018 between the group’s tours, had the female lead on Broadway in the production of “Kinky Boots”.
Added to “the trio” for the show were:
AVI KAPLAN, (Male, 5’11”, long dark hair, beard, usually wears a knit hat of some kind) is a classically trained “basso profundo”. He provides the vocal bass line as well as added vocal percussion but often uses his upper registry to sing vocal leads in a number of arrangements. Avi is the ONLY member of the band that has change. He left on good terms in 2017 for reasons related to conflicting demands of the band’s touring schedule and his personal/family commitments. He assisted the group in finding his replacement Matt Sallee.
KEVIN OLUSOLA (male, 6’1”, black, changing hair style) known as “KO” was asked to join PTX to provide vocal percussion after Scott watched a RUclips video of him “cello boxing” (beatboxing while playing his cello). KO is the classic over achiever of the group. He plays Cello, Piano, and Saxophone all at concert levels. He graduated pre-med from Yale, speaks Spanish and spent over a year in China where he became fluent in Chinese. He sings Tenor but vocals were not his strong suite when he started so he worked with other band members and a vocal coach until while on tour he would perform the featured vocals in "if I ever fall in love", (originally performed by guest artist Jason Derulo for the album and video). He also writes and produces music both individually and for the group. So, KO is more than “just the beatboxer”.
The most recent member and the only change in the group’s membership is:
MATT SALLEE, (male, 5’9” black with usually close-cut black hair) who replaced Avi Kaplan in 2017 to provide vocals, vocal bass and percussion. Matt can be heard using his exceptional upper vocal range to provide a rich tenor/baritone lead often ending with a slide down to a deep bass punch.
Things you need to know because if you get these wrong Pentaholics will come after you with pitch forks and torches!
1- There is NO Auto-Tune; what you hear is actually what they sing. They really are that good.
2- What produces everything that you hear in the video, you see in the video. If there is an instrument used in the music, you see it on screen.
3- They never release something on video they can’t reproduce with the exact same quality live on-stage.
Enjoy the ride.
Scott, Kirstin, Mitch and Kevin (Beatboxer) are all original....Avi, the previous bass left and Matt is his replacement (far left with white jacket). Mitch and Kirstin change their looks ALL the time...Kevin sings, plays Cello (classically trained) and can "Cellobox"....check out his solo work, including the cover of DOWN.
He also plays cello and sings in Say Something.
Hey Jen PENTATONIX are awesome please listen to them singing MARY DID YOU KNIW.
keep up the great work. Love from Joey from the Bronx
If you love Halloween and Christmas, their rendition of "Nightmare before Christmas" is made for you.
Voice Play The Oogie Boogie Song Hands down one of the most amazing pieces.
The song title is "Making Christmas". It is from the movie, Nightmare Before Christmas.
@@libertarianguy5567 You are absolutely right. I viewed the video last night and was horrified that I made such a blunder. Thank you for the correction.
@@ronstewart2703 No problem, I did the same thing right after it came out. Took me a little while before I consistently remembered it was called "Making Christmas". Honest mistake.
I cannot recommend Voiceplay's Oogie Boogie song enough! That video was my intro to Voiceplay and I've followed all their stuff since - as well as Geoff 's solo work. Oogie Boogie had my jaw on the floor throughout and my rump followed my jaw to the floor at the end - Brad knows what I'm talking about!
With Mitch and Kirstie, trust your ears, never your eyes (their look changes by the video).
The guy on the far left Matt is the knew member all the rest are original members
“Knew”
Weeelllll technically it was mitch kirstin and Scott, at start, but they needed five for sing off, so they got kevin n avi, lol
@@stevensallsorts Pentatonix wasn’t a thing until Avi and Kevin arrived. Yes, the trio got popular before Ptx but they weren’t Ptx until they were five, I believe what this person means.
@@FernyBass splitting hairs but il allow it
Thank you for reacting to this awesome Pentatonix cover. They are amazing. I hope that you will react to them again in the near future. Later this year will be their 10-year anniversary. They have hundreds of songs and videos from which to choose. They have covers and original songs. They also have 3 Grammy awards.
The three in the middle (Kirstie, Scott, Mitch) have been together since junior high school, I think. Kirstie and Mitch do change their appearance often, so I can see where you might get confused. The three of them added a bass singer (Avi at first, now Matt) and a beat boxer (Kevin) to form Pentatonix (3 Grammys won).
The beatboxer's name is Kevin Olusola and he has his own channel "KO" This guy is AMAZING, He does a cover of Marian Hill's "Down" Where he beatboxes, plays the electric cello and sings all in the same song. It will knock your socks off !!!
My favorite song cover of theirs is "Say Something" you can feel the emotion in their voices. And the video looks like they are living the lyrics of the song.
Amazing Cover! 💖
I like Imagine and the Prayer
If you think sounding like a helicopter is awesome, watch Mitch sound like a guitar in their cover of bohemian rhapsody. In the song he uses a megaphone but he can do it without it as well. Live he does it without the megaphone. Please react to it, it’s awesome!
In that same video, Kevin impersonates an entire drum kit with cymbals complete with high hats and everything. Also Avi pretends to be a bass guitar and wind chimes. On top of that, Scott and Kirsten try to mimic a synthesizer. This isn't all at once, but it spreads out throughout the course of the video. Wherever there is potentially empty space or dead air, someone will try and fill it by pretending to be a musical instrument.
If this blew you away, I would encourage you to listen to something from their new album The Lucky Ones. It was released in February and it is jaw-dropping that there are no instruments. They also just released a 90's dance medley 10 days ago that is 🔥.
YES!!!! The medley is total FIRE!!! I cant get it out of my head lol!! You just possibly CANT go wrong with a Pentatonix song!!! May I suggest one that isnt listened to all that much?? Their song "Sing" is just like...ughhh needs to be the anthem of the world now!! Stay safe and healthy
Jen, you have to do Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. No words to the song. They won a Grammy for it.
Also Daft Punk,Amazing Grace and Bohemian Rhapsody
If you liked Pentatonix, you have to react to Home Free. They are amazing and have a great sense of humor that shows up in a lot of their videos. Check out Man of Constant Sorrow, and Ring of Fire.
Absolutely! Jen needs to be Rick-rolled by them as well! LOL
Voiceplay is really good too!
PENTATONIX, so many great songs, so little time :) .
Moving left to right. Matt is in the white jacket and he is the bass and sometimes sings. He replaced Avi in 2017. Avi left for personal family reasons on good terms with Pentatonix and actually helped to find Matt. He has a solo career now. Check out change on the rise. Every single sound you hear every single word you hear Avi did it. The next one is Kirstin, rhymes with thirsty, she's an original member but changes her look all the time. The middle is Scott the baritone and he has a really good range. when Matt is singing he takes over on the bass. I absolutely love the coat he is wearing. The next one is Mitch who's a countertenor and he changes his look all the time and he is an original member. And finally Kevin is the beatboxer. He's does Play The Cello in some videos and will occasionally sing such as amazing grace, imagine, Mary Did You Know. I think they have put out a Christmas album every year since 2013 and with the exception of 2016 and 2020 they have been the number one Christmas album. But don't quote me on the numbers and not really sure. They just released an album in February titled the lucky ones which is all original songs. They have won three Grammys. The first for Daft Punk which was filmed in Avi and Kevin's kitchen recorded in a closet on a $400 budget. The second is for Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The e third was for Jolene with Dolly Parton but you never really hear people talk about it. They've been around since 2013 when they won The Sing-Off. They just released their 90s dance Melody
Mitch and Scott have their own group on the side titled Superfruit. They do have music on their Channel but they also have a lot of 10-15 minutes videos of them goofing off. Check out their cover of rise by Katy Perry. I have seen a lot of videos floating around that is just Scott. Kevin has his own channel entitled KO. Check out his cover of Marian Hills Down. Kevin also plays the piano and I think a wind instrument. He speaks fluent Mandarin and graduated from Yale Premed.
On a second note, Paul Simon heard Disturbed cover of Sound of Silence. It brought tears to his eyes and he said that David Draiman was meant to sing that song.
It isn't a Christmas song, but their release of Amazing Grace is phenomenal. You also get to hear Kevin sing more and he has a great voice as well.
You also get to hear him sing in Imagine. He also sings, as well as playing cello, in Say Something.
Jen, Pentatonix sing Mary did you know. That will blow you away❤
For a great, fun Halloween/Christmas song you have to check out their version of Making Christmas. Their Bohemian Rhapsody is also amazing. Kirstie and Mitch are always changing their looks but it’s always them! Matt is the only new member. He replaced Avi Kaplan when he left for family reasons. He’s been with them for over three years now.
Lol 'Is this a new woman, I remember a blonde.' Because we all know how hard it is to dye hair lol.
Makeup and hair changes can make one woman look like a thousand different women. What I found hard to believe was that anyone who'd ever listened to PTX before, even if only a few times, would mistake _the voice._ Kirstie's technique with her vibrato was a little different here, I think she was (still?) channeling her inner Dolly Parton (PTX having previously collaborated with that worthy)
This is how I see "The Sound of Silence". Simon & Garfunkel's version: a soft warning about not sharing the music/talent in one's self, due to fear of rejection. Disturbed's version: An angry tone, because many have not heard the warning. Pentatonix's version: re-shouting the warning, but with hope (since PTX are only 5 voices that make such beautiful music)
I see it that way also.
In this video, from left to right:
• Matt Sallee (pronounced Suh-lee', emphasis on the second syllable), lyric bass, and the *only* new member of Pentatonix. Matt joined after Avi (pronounced Ah'-vee, emphasis on the first syllable) Kaplan left Pentatonix for personal reasons in 2017. When I heard them at their Denver concert on November 20, 2022 I would swear that Matt's lowest note was as low as anything I ever heard from Avi (and Avi's low notes have been known to blow out speakers in live performances) and his highest note was actually in the *tenor* range!
• Kirstin (also known as Kirstie - rhymes with thirsty) Maldonado, mezzo soprano, though she actually sings anything from alto through coloratura soprano. Kirstie grew up with Mitch and Scott in Arlington, Texas and is one of the original members of Pentatonix, but her appearance has changed greatly. Her hair color changes frequently; she's had surgery to repair some nerve damage in her upper lip, so her smile looks different now; and her figure has matured (she was just 19 when Pentatonix appeared on _The Sing-Off_ in 2011). People frequently think they see someone new when it's actually Kirstie or Mitch.
• Scott Hoying, lyric baritone. Scott's lowest notes are in the bass range and his highest are in the tenor range.
• Mitch Grassi (pronounced Grah'-see, emphasis on the first syllable), counter tenor. Mitch has a range of just over six octaves! His voice was described by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men as "one of the prettiest voices I have ever heard in my life." But in high school he was bullied for how high his voice was and he still has anxieties about it and about his musical intuition. Thankfully, during lockdown he finally began getting help to deal with these issues. Mitch also frequently changes his hair color (dark, blond, purple...) and style (he had a shaved head for a while) and his facial hair. Sometimes he appears with glasses and sometimes without. And his weight tends to be variable. But when he opens his mouth that beautiful counter tenor voice always comes out.
• Kevin Olusola (pronounced Oh-loosh"-oh-luh', primary emphasis on the second syllable, secondary emphasis on the fourth), beatboxer extraordinaire. Kevin has a degree in pre-med from Yale. He speaks five languages, including Mandarin. He plays piano/keyboard, saxophone, and cello. He beatboxes *while* playing the cello (he calls it "celloboxing"). He is one of the best beatboxers in the world, if not *the* best. And he appeared at Carnegie Hall twice before he ever heard of Pentatonix. We don't hear it often enough because Kevin is generally too busy being an entire drum kit, but Kevin has a lovely tenor voice and is known for the beauty of his falsetto range. And when he laughs it could light up the world.
Two words...
AMAZING GRACE
OMG great reaction. Okay Jen, the female singer, has always been there. Her name is Kirstie, however, she does change her hair color a lot. you are also right about her being beautiful, she's beautiful inside and out, with an absolutely beautiful voice to match. Jen, they've done over 160 songs. All of them are good, but we all have our favorites. I envey you. You have so many great songs to still listen to. Enjoy yourself, but be warned, it's very easy to become a pentaholic. 😊
The three in the middle went to high school together in Arlington Texas. Matt replaced Avi! And the beat boxer is a freakin’ genius!
About Halloween. Pentatonix appeared as one of the featured acts during a Halloween special in 2018, I believe. They sang "What Is This Feeling?" from the musical, Wicked, and Mitch and Kirstie are just too, too, adorable. They release their Christmas album almost every year in October, and often include one or more seasonal autumn/winter songs along with the traditional schmaltz. Check out their catalogue. Anything you choose will be outstanding. Pentatonix aims for perfection, and usually achieves it. Welcome to our favorite vocal band.
Another acapella group you will like is,Voctave . They are an 11 member group based out of Orlando.
Yesss, please the Beatboxer's name is Kevin Olusola. Please check out his cover of 'Down' or 'Sign of Times' you'd be blown away!!!
You have to do Pentatonix's Bohemian Rhapsody and prepare to be amazed!
Here are my favorites by Pentatonix:
Carol of the Bells (Christmas) (14 November 2012)
The Wizard of Ahhhs by Todrick Hall ft. Pentatonix (16 July 2013)
Daft Punk Medley (4 November 2013 Grammy winner)
Mary, Did You Know? (Christmas) (11 November 2014)
Hallelujah (Christmas) (21 October 2016)
Bohemian Rhapsody (7 April 2017)
Matt replaces Avi as bass
Havana (23 February 2018)
The Sound of Silence (15 February 2019)
Can you feel the love tonight? (23 August 2019)
Blinding Lights (1 July 2020)
Dreams (22 July 2020)
Amazing Grace (5 November 2020)
also.. Home Free produces some GREAT a cappella covers such as..
Ring of Fire featuring Avi kaplan (25 July 2014)
Mayday (17 November 2017)
Man of Constant Sorrow (28 September 2018)
Folsom Prison Blues (25 September 2020)
American Pie featuring Don McLean (3 February 2021)
When a Man Loves a Woman (12 February 2021)
**
Thanks
..
With Avi, I would add "Sing", "Love Again" and "Can't Hold Us". "Sing" and "Love Again" are both PTX originals. "Can't Hold Us" is probably the only rap song I like.
@@libertarianguy5567 I’m not sure u could call it a rap song lmao. It has some rapping in it, doesn’t mean it’s a rap song. That’s it’s own distinct thing.
Kevin will beatbox and play the cello at the same time! It is crazy how good he is! Have you heard Making Christmas? Yes, Kirsten is the original girl!
The beatboxer has a fabulous voice, plays cello, saxophone, .I could liste to hime all day.
The girl is the original, she and Mitch change their look frequently
Pentatonix's Hallelujah their version) is the best song that I've ever heard.
Try their covers of Amazing Grace and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. Massive walls of amazing harmony! An original that is hauntingly beautiful is Run to You. ❤️
4 of them is the original group members but matt is the brand new bass man with and sick singing voice!
This is my unmovable favorite, with Hallelujah about a thousandth of an inch behind! But I think a case could be made for Bohemian Rhapsody being the most overwhelming example of their unparalleled sheer talent.
There are also Voctave (all ex-Disney singers) and one I've just discovered called Six Appeal, with two woman singers. Their is also a Voctave video with Kirstie, doing Disney (Princess) songs
YES! Kirstie (rhymes with "thirsty") is the original ("blond chick") part of the trio of high school friends that morphed into Pentatonix, just in time to recruit a bass and a beatboxer to enter the "Sing-Off Season 3" competition and launch themselves into their grand career. Kirstie changes her look about every six months, but she remains the 5'0" powerhouse of raw singing power that I absolutely adore. You really owe it to yourself to check out their latest release: 90'S DANCE MEDLEY. Kirstie is a ditsy Marilyn Monroe persona in it, until she opens up and knocks your socks off. They're all wonderful. I liked and subscribed in hopes that you would review at least five or ten more from the catalogue.
The three in the middle, Kirsten, Scott, and Mitch meet in high school and started singing together, the original 3, shortly after they found Avi they original bass, and before they went on the show Sing Off, they found there percussion guy Kevin, and of course they won, and the PTX journey begin, with Avi leaving in 2017, and them finding Matt to replace him.
You'll love Voiceplay's Oogie Boogie's Song.
The song "Be My Eyes" is one of their newer songs and it was written by Kirstin.
Their voice is their instrument :)
Fun fact: The beatboxer (Kevin) is known as the Human 808, which is the OG drum machine created in the '80s. Also, not only does he beatbox and sing, but he also plays cello.
and is a pianist and plays saxophone as well
@@Paradise-on-Earth Don't forget he's fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
If Halloween is your favorite you should listen and watch to the Nightmare Before Christmas.
The song title is "Making Christmas". It is from the movie, Nightmare Before Christmas.
@@libertarianguy5567 Also, though it's an entirely different song, I swear their rendition of 'My Favorite Things' has a very similar Halloween vibe. It's probably the aesthetic of the video that gives it that extra feeling (or maybe it's just me being weird.. haha!)
@@darkwyve Not weird at all, I can see how you would get a Halloween vibe from "My Favorite Things".
"99 million views on this one! Almost a billion views"
Good one Jen, I like this one. 👏😂
I caught that too. A billion is 1000 million, not 100. 😏
I thought my video was on 1.5 speed until the music started. This gal should be an auctioneer.
Besides Kirstie changing her look almost as much as Mitch, she has also gained more confidence in her voice and herself since being on Broadway. And if the opportunity ever arises...GO see them in concert! They are phenomenal 😁💜
I was getting more than a touch of Dolly Parton in her technique here, considering the core three are Texas folk who idolized Dolly, and got to work with her on their collaborative cover/arrangement of "Jolene"
They have one that has even more views. Look at "Hallelujah". Almost 700 million views.
If you think Kevin (the beat boxer) is sick here, listen to their "Daft Punk" (medley) - which was SO good that they got a Grammy for it. As to new/old? Mitch and Kirstie change their look nearly every video. Scott and Kevin don't change looks that often. Matt (bass singer in white coat) is actually the only new guy because their original bass, Avi, had to depart for family issues. But Matt fits in just fine.
If you like Halloween, find their " What Is This Feeling?" from Wicked they did for Wicked's 10th anniversary show several years ago. It's A masterpiece!
Same woman from the original Pentatonix, Kirstin Maldonado, Arlington, TX..... she just changes her hair color from time to time. Peace to all!
I love this Group. First time I listen to this group I fell in love with them and you’re super wish him luck for many many years
Can’t Hold us and Amazing Grace
You were talking about the changing looks -- a funny summary someone said once:
Kirstie: Changes her look for every video
Mitch: Changes his look every album
Kevin: Takes six years to grow a beard
To truly appreciate their overall development, go to the original Sing Off videos (which they won) and see them all below the age of 20! Yup, the passage of time has been great for them. Their entire story is textbook about how to win, fail, then win in such a big way, ie: 3 Grammys so far, that shocks the Entertainment, not JUST music, industry. Their 1st Grammy, Daft Punk Medley: cost=$400.00, was shot in their kitchen, recorded in a closet and was produced by them & their long time associate Ben Bram (the "Secret Sauce"). Never say CANT!
I grew up (young mom) with my kids watching 'Michael Winslow' the man with unlimited sounds. His renditions of Jimi Hendrix are amazing.
Halloween is my birthday! I also love that you referenced Police Academy.
For Christmas songs check their version of 12 days of Christmas its amazing...,subbed for more Ptx.., thanks n stay safe
Home free is right up there with them, need to listen and watch man of constant sorrow
The only new member is Matt (white jacket) all the others original members.
She is the original singer! Kirsty, Scott and Mitch grew up together! Amazing!
The beatboxer has a solo in their rendition of amazing Grace. His voice will blow your mind. It will be nothing you expect
Awesome reaction! Check out Home Free also, Man of Constant sorrow and also VoicePlay. All good.
Please, do more! Have you seen their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody? Or imagine?
The Pentatonix are like the Globetrotters of music.
Kirstie, Scott, and Mitch are the original and all went to school together.
Kirsti hair color changes with her moods - a lot! LOL
Love your channel, don't always comment but I always listen in solidarity. Just Jen my friend. Greetings from Los Angeles.
They won a show called The Sing Off in 2011. And they have won 3 Grammy's
Jen, "that girl" *IS* the original girl in the band, Kirstie. She just changes her look occasionally. In fact, the three people in the middle of the line are the three founding members of Pentatonix.
Almost forgot, GO BUCKS!!!
You have beautiful eyes young lady
Listen! Listen! The song starts and builds and builds. Don’t stop. Just listen!
Great reaction. Just subscribed. Please do more Pentatonix. They're great. Thanks.
If you love Pentatonix, check Hallelujah and Amazing Grace both are amazing songs! Another great a Cappella group is Home Free.
Yessss,they are really goood,excellent,and a new stuf is out(90's dance medley-----crazy good)...buttt...there are others good as PTX.My favorite acapella band---HOME FREE.They are realy realy gooood.Maybe for start--"Man of constant sorow",or Johny Cash cover-"Ring of fire"..or--"Go rest high on that mountain".....Or maybe--VoicePlay-(that's the another band)...
A great Christmas song is their version of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. A must is their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody (absolutely brilliant) and their Daft Punk medley.
If you like Halloween, you should check out Voice Play This is Halloween and the Ooggi Boogi Song. Another song by Voice Play is My Mother Told Me.
Pentatonix, Home Free, Voctave, are all amazing accapella groups.
and VOICEPLAY
If you like the beatboxer (Kevin Olusola) now, wait till you watch his cover/looping session of “Down”. So worth a reaction!
Hi Jen
I know it's only July but I think the world would appreciate fast forwarding to Christmas. We humans are not taking care of each other, our planet, and more importantly, our spiritual souls.
My favorite Christmas carol of all time is, O Come All Ye Faithful ....
Please react to the Official Video, of the same, by Pentatonix.
You won't regret it...
Thank you!
Merry Christmas 🎁 🎄
Kevin is an amazing beatboxer and musician in general. Worth checking out his own work recording under his name Kevin Olusola (or KO) if someone were to ask what instrument he plays I think the answer would be "YES" and he shows you. His cover of Down is good for some electric cello and beatboxing, I LOVE his cover of Sign of the Times and Human Nature. Beautiful stuff well worth checking out.
I saw them in 2019 in Ridgefield Washington, hands down the best concert I have ever seen.
You are correct she was a blonde but she is an original from their start in 2011. She changes her hair with every video. They all do the beatboxing and music with their voices/mouths. Yes in 2017 Avi K. left and that is when the other gentlemen joined the group he is the only change to the group. I am new to your channel I didn't see a review/reaction to Pentatonix of Bohemium Rhapsody.!! They have made 2 Christmas albums and they tour that time of the year also. You will not be disappointed Luv. I really enjoyed your reaction. Also Home Free did a cover to Boyz to Men "End of the Road" they killed awesome worth your time if you have not checked that one out yet.
If a A-Capella group can make you believe instruments are used..while none are present. They are damn good..
I look forward to you reacting to their "90s Dance Medley". It's been out about a week.
Thoroughly enjoyable reaction! I see Kirstie deceived you - still the same, as it turns out. I’m not sure if you’ve seen their “Hallelujah”. If not, you are in for a treat. That one has +600 million views and I’m sure you’ll love it. Thanks for posting.
They have a 90's Medley with autotune, but only for effect, they could do it without, but it gave the 90's aesthetic. It's great! I recommend it very much.
The guy from beat box can also play cello professionally, also great at trumpet, plays piano, speaks fluent Mandarin, he has some insane solo stuff!
If you want to see some solo stuff look for Kevin Olusola Down cover.
Good job. Lovely eyes.
Another amazing cover of this song is by Peter Hollens and Tim Foust (the bass from Home Free). Just the two of them, but it sounds like an entire choir.
What I would kill to see, is them doing Songs from The Carpenters. Many of the riffs and melodies they did here sounded so much like what The Carpenters did.
From left to right Matt (new bass) Kirstin (original gal different hair color) Scott (original) Mitch (Original) Kevin (original, also plays cello)
For Halloween, check out the video and the live cover versions of Aha!. And Favorite things, which they did in a Halloween vibe.
@Just Jen Scott Mitch and Kirsten and Kevin (beatboxer) are the originals who started the group Matt came in when avi Kaplan left
Hey Jen, check out Pentatonix Hallelujah and Daft Punk Medley I'm sure you'll enjoy this!