The Jabberwocks is the oldest a cappella group at Brown University.
History
The group began in 1949 as an offshoot of the traditional Men's Glee Club when four members decided to start their own independent singing group. In 1956, Brown Music Department chair Arlan Coolidge, frustrated that the group was getting bookings that would otherwise have gone to the Glee Club, referred to the Jabberwocks as "a misguided small group of students whose product is a type of vaudeville." The original Jabberwocks, a double quartet, "wore grey flannel suits, white button-down oxford shirts, striped ties and white buck shoes, and travelled to out-of-town concerts in a 1928 Rolls-Royce."
The Chattertocks, a female a cappella group at the Pembroke women's college began as a parody of the Jabberwocks in 1952.
The Jabberwocks temporarily disappeared in 1975, was resurrected in 1980, and survived a brief period in the mid-1980s when some singers tried to take the group professional. Over the decades the group's repertoire has ranged from 1950s doo-wop, to Motown to contemporary pop.
For most of their history, the Jabberwocks were an all-male ensemble, with a brief co-ed period after Pembroke was merged into Brown in 1971. As of the fall of 2019, the group began accepting all genders and voices.
Awards
1993, Freedom '90 (song), Runner up, Best Male Collegiate Song
2006, International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella regional quarterfinals, second place 2010, International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella's Northeast semifinals, second place 2010, Breaking & Entering (album) nominated for the 2010 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards in three categories. 2017, "Taking the Fall" (album) nominated for the 2017 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards in three categories.
Notable alumni
Keith Barbour, American singer-songwriter
Kid Beyond, a singer, beat boxer and live looper based in the San Francisco area
Harrison Chad, American theater, film, and television actor. Michael Weisman, actor, known for The Glee Project (2011), A.N.T. Farm (2011) and Hot in Cleveland (2010). Brian Cross, actor, known for originating the role of Arnold Gaesling in "The Snow Geese" on Broadway (2013). David Gockley, general director, San Francisco Opera James Naughton, American director, theater, film and television actor Andy Suzuki, American singer-songwriter
Albums
The Jabberwocks of 1953
Old rockin' chair
How high the moon
Mood indigo
Hello, young lovers
Wade in the water
Aba daba honeymoon
Lindy Lou
Water boy
Never throw a lighted lamp at Mother
Soon one mornin
Halls of ivy
Oh Joe
The Jabberwocks of 1956, Brown University
Be prepared
From this moment on
O Joe
Were you there? Too good for the average man On the chapel steps Josephine That old black magic Steppin' around Hello, young lovers The farmer's daughter Farewell song
Fascinatin' Rhythm (1958) Fascinatin' rhythm Autumn Leaves From this moment on Too darn hot Dancing on the ceiling Coventry carol Halls of ivy My ideal Wonderful Copenhagen Tea for two Swing low Good news Farewell song
A peace of ourselves (1969) Enter the young (2:24) My old desk (2:15) Medley: The guys' song; The worst that could happen; Orange air (6:53) Hey Jude (6:46) Obladi, oblada (3:05) Never my love (2:56) Mrs. Robinson (3:23) Getting better (2:15) Medley: The fiddle and the drum; Requiem for the masses (5:34)
Streetnight (1984) Tuxedo Junction Lean on me Every time we say goodbye Take you back Some people I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter Me and the boys Come go with me Streetnight Bright college days Old black magic Crocodile rock Rhythm of the rain You won't see me Farewell song : traditional Brown song
Hangin' Out (1988)
Stylin' By the Tum-tum Tree (1990)
The Sharpest Tools in the Shed (1992)
Liz's Slingback Boots (1993–1994) Intro Me and the Boys 7 Just the Two of Us Get into the Groove The Sweetest Thing Take Five Never Tear Us Apart Black Dog Walking on the Moon Wanna Be Startin' Somethin I Will Survive Why Should I Cry for You Don't Stop Believin Farewell Song
Woonsocket (1996) Don't You (Forget About Me) (04:30) Sexual Healing (04:07) How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (03:51) Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (04:11) She's Leaving Home (05:22) With A Little Help From My Friends (02:32) Don't Dream It's Over (03:53) Me And The Boys (04:21) Superman (02:51) Vogue (05:58) Blue Skies (01:20) Farewell Song (01:57)