Avi Kaplan

2020-09-03T08:21:02Z

31.200.212.14: /* Career */

{{Infobox person
| name = Avi Kaplan
| image = File:Avi_Kaplan_St_Louis_2019_by_Paige_Butler.jpeg
| caption = Kaplan performing at The Ready Room in [[St. Louis]] on August 19, 2019
| birth_name = Avriel Benjamin Kaplan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|04|17}}
| birth_place = [[Visalia, California]], U.S.<ref name=SequoiasBio>{{cite web | url =http://avrielandthesequoias.com/bio | title =Bio | accessdate =April 30, 2017 | work =Avriel & the Sequoias' official website | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170424054151/http://avrielandthesequoias.com/bio | archive-date =2017-04-24 | url-status =live }}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Singer, guitarist, songwriter
| years_active = 2011–present
| fiance =
| alias = Avriel & the Sequoias
| website = {{URL|https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist| embed = yes
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[A cappella]]
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[Folk music|folk]]
}}
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Madison Gate Records|Madison Gate]], [[Sequoia Summit Records]], [[Fantasy Records]]
| background = solo_singer
| associated_acts = [[Pentatonix]]
}}
}}

'''Avriel Benjamin "Avi" Kaplan''' (born April 17, 1989) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as a past member of the [[a cappella]] group [[Pentatonix]]. He is known for his [[Basso profondo|deep]] [[Bass (voice type)|bass voice]], and often acted as the [[scat singing#Vocal bass|vocal bass]] of Pentatonix. In May 2017, Kaplan announced that he was leaving Pentatonix following their upcoming tour.

In June 2017, Kaplan released his solo debut EP ''Sage and Stone'', released under the name '''Avriel & the Sequoias''' and more oriented towards [[Folk music|folk]], in which he also plays [[guitar]]. In March 2019, he premiered a new song, "Change on the Rise," now resuming using the name Avi Kaplan. His second EP, ''I'll Get By'', was released in February 2020.

Kaplan is a three-time [[Grammy Award]] winner, as a part of Pentatonix.<ref name="Grammy">{{cite news|title=Grammy Awards Winners|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2015-the-complete-winners-list-20150208/|accessdate=February 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209053502/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2015-the-complete-winners-list-20150208|archive-date=2015-02-09|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Grammy2">{{cite news|title=Grammy Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875260/grammy-awards-2016-full-winners-list/|accessdate=December 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122091234/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875260/grammy-awards-2016-full-winners-list|archive-date=2016-11-22|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Avriel Benjamin Kaplan was born in [[Visalia, California]], where he was also raised. He has a brother, Joshua Kaplan, and a sister, Esther Koop, who is Pentatonix's [[tour manager]] as of April 2018.<ref name=ForwardInterview>{{cite web | url =http://forward.com/schmooze/192525/welcome-to-the-a-capella-revolution/ | title =Welcome to the a Capella Revolution | date =February 11, 2014 | accessdate =April 30, 2017 | work =Forward | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170808073318/http://forward.com/schmooze/192525/welcome-to-the-a-capella-revolution/ | archive-date =2017-08-08 | url-status =live }}</ref> He is [[Judaism|Jewish]], which was the cause of repeated bullying as a child.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stljewishlight.com/special_sections/ohr_chadash/article_bd8e04e0-71f2-11e1-bf21-001871e3ce6c.html|access-date=August 8, 2017|title=‘The Sing-Off’ winner shares his story|publisher=St. Louis Jewish Light|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610053226/http://www.stljewishlight.com/special_sections/ohr_chadash/article_bd8e04e0-71f2-11e1-bf21-001871e3ce6c.html|archive-date=2017-06-10}}</ref>

He loved [[folk music]], and frequently went to the nearby [[Sequoia National Park]], which became an inspiration for his music. He considers his earliest musical inspirations to be [[Simon & Garfunkel]], [[John Denver]], [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]], and [[Bill Withers]]. Later inspirations include [[Iron & Wine]], [[Bon Iver]], [[Ben Harper]], and [[José González (singer)|José González]].<ref name=SequoiasBio/>

==Career==
Before joining Pentatonix, Kaplan was already an accomplished a cappella artist, performing in the styles of [[Jazz music|jazz]] and [[opera]] among others.<ref name=ForwardInterview/>

He joined Pentatonix in 2011, when original members [[Kirstin Maldonado]], [[Mitch Grassi]] and [[Scott Hoying]] were searching for a bass singer and a [[Beatboxing|beatboxer]]. The group met the day before the auditions for the third season of ''[[The Sing-Off]]'' began.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bentley |first=Jean |title='The Sing Off' winners Pentatonix on YouTube, Nick Lachey and recording an album |work=zap2it.com |date=November 29, 2011 |url= http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/11/the-sing-off-winners-pentatonix-on-youtube-nick-lachey-and-recording-an-album.html |accessdate=August 25, 2012}}</ref> The group successfully auditioned for the show and eventually went on to win the title for 2011 (season three).<ref>{{cite web |last=Gallo |first=Phil |title='The Sing-Off' Finale: Pentatonix Takes The Trophy |work=Billboard.com |date=November 29, 2011 |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/464941/the-sing-off-finale-pentatonix-takes-the-trophy |accessdate=August 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230013845/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/464941/the-sing-off-finale-pentatonix-takes-the-trophy |archive-date=2013-12-30 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kaplan acted as the group's [[scat singing#Vocal bass|vocal bass]], but frequently sang lead parts as well.

As a member of Pentatonix, Kaplan won three Grammy awards. On February 8, 2015, Pentatonix won a [[Grammy]] in the "Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A cappella" category for their song "Daft Punk," a medley of songs by [[Daft Punk]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Christopher|last=Rosen|date=2015-02-08|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/08/grammy-winners-list-2015_n_6600948.html|work=Huffington Post|title=Grammy Winners List For 2015 Includes Sam Smith, Pharrell, Beyoncé & More|access-date=2017-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209033006/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/08/grammy-winners-list-2015_n_6600948.html|archive-date=2015-02-09|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 15, 2016, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the same category, this time for their rendition of “[[Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy]]” from their ''[[That's Christmas to Me]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://whatstrending.com/creators/21405-pentatonix-wins-second-grammy | title=Pentatonix Just Scored Their Second Grammy In a Row! | access-date=2017-05-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808075156/http://whatstrending.com/creators/21405-pentatonix-wins-second-grammy | archive-date=2017-08-08 | url-status=live }}</ref> On February 12, 2017, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the "Best Country duo/group performance" category for their cover of "[[Jolene (song)|Jolene]]," which featured [[Dolly Parton]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-grammys-live-updates-dolly-parton-and-pentatonix-win-country-1486939222-htmlstory.html | title=Dolly Parton and Pentatonix win country duo/roup performance award for 'Jolene' | access-date=2017-05-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705171417/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-grammys-live-updates-dolly-parton-and-pentatonix-win-country-1486939222-htmlstory.html | archive-date=2017-07-05 | url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 29, 2017, Kaplan premiered "Fields and Pier," his first song as a solo artist, under the name "Avriel & the Sequoias."<ref name=SequoiasDiscography>{{cite web| url =http://avrielandthesequoias.com/media| title =Media| accessdate =April 30, 2017| work =Avriel & the Sequoias' official website| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170424054246/http://avrielandthesequoias.com/media| archive-date =2017-04-24| url-status =live}}</ref> In May 2017, Kaplan announced that he would be leaving Pentatonix to spend more time with friends and family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/avi-kaplan-leaves-pentatonix-video-1202425063/ |title=Avi Kaplan Exits Pentatonix in Tearful Goodbye Video |last=Nyren |first=Erin |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=May 12, 2017 |accessdate=May 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515082048/http://variety.com/2017/music/news/avi-kaplan-leaves-pentatonix-video-1202425063/ |archive-date=2017-05-15 |url-status=live }}</ref> His debut [[Extended play|EP]], ''Sage and Stone'', was released on June 9, 2017.<ref name=SequoiasDiscography/>

In October 2019, he announced an European tour, his first since leaving Pentatonix.<ref>{{YouTube|cQOp2KYCZdo|title="European Tour Announcement"}}</ref>

On November 5, 2019, he announced an upcoming EP, "I'll Get By", set to be released January 24, 2020, along with an accompanying tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Avi_Kaplan/status/1191741048462204934|title=Today’s the day! Beyond excited to share a new song, new TOUR, and an EP coming in January! Truly can’t wait for you all to hear the new EP and play it for you live. Thank you all so much for all the love and support. It’s fuel to my soul pic.twitter.com/hahrmNd3KI|last=Kaplan|first=Avi|date=2019-11-05|website=@Avi_Kaplan|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Avi_Kaplan/status/1191764482688798721|title=I'll Get By EP out January 24. Pre-order bundles available now - <nowiki>http://smarturl.it/AKIGBpo pic.twitter.com/pJZgjZFIEN</nowiki>|last=Kaplan|first=Avi|date=2019-11-05|website=@Avi_Kaplan|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> On January 21, 2020, the release was postponed to February 28 as a result of being signed to [[Fantasy Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Avi_Kaplan/status/1219635995408322560|title=A message from Avi.pic.twitter.com/dhH2uNIjcn|last=Kaplan|first=Avi|date=2020-01-21|website=@Avi_Kaplan|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref>

== Discography ==
=== Solo ===
;EPs
* ''Sage and Stone'' (2017; released as Avriel & the Sequoias)
* ''I'll Get By'' (2020)
* '' Lean on me '' (2020)

;Singles
* "Change on the Rise" (2019)
* "Otherside" (2019)
* "The Summit" (2019)
* "Aberdeen" (2019)
* "Get Down" (2019)
* "I'll Get By" (2019)
* "It Knows Me" (2020)
* "Sweet Adeline Pt.2" (2020)
* "Born in California" (2020)

=== Pentatonix ===
{{Main|Pentatonix discography}}

=== Featured ===
* [[Home Free (group)|Home Free]] – "[[Ring of Fire (song)|Ring of Fire]]"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://popcrush.com/home-free-johnny-cash-ring-of-fire-pentatonix-avi-kaplan-video/ | title=Home Free Cover Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’ A Capella With Pentatonix’s Avi Kaplan [VIDEO] | date=July 24, 2014 | accessdate=April 30, 2017 | work=Pop Crush | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602041920/http://popcrush.com/home-free-johnny-cash-ring-of-fire-pentatonix-avi-kaplan-video/ | archive-date=2017-06-02 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Peter Hollens]] – "[[Black Is the Colour (Of My True Love's Hair)|Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair]]"

=== Cameo ===
* [[Home Free (group)|Home Free]] – "Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget"

== Tours ==
Avi Kaplan embarked on his first solo live shows with 'Nashville Residency' at The Basement in Nashville, TN. It was a series of 5 shows over the course of 3 weeks in April 2019. All 5 shows were sold out.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thebasementnashville.com/calendar/?cal-month=4&cal-year=2019 | title=Avi Kaplan's "Nashville Residency" at The Basement in Nashville, TN | date=March 2, 2019 | accessdate=July 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714210549/https://www.thebasementnashville.com/calendar/?cal-month=4&cal-year=2019 | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref> He was accompanied by [[Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes|Daniel Ellsworth]] (piano/vocals), Jeremy Lister (guitar/vocals), Jonathan Lister (drums/vocals) and Kaleb Thomas Jones (bass guitar/vocals). The Lister brothers and Jones are also members of [[Street Corner Symphony (group)|Street Corner Symphony]].

In July 2019, Kaplan began the Otherside Tour which took him to California, Washington State, Oregon. The tour continued in August 2019 going to New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 | title=Avi Kaplan's "Otherside Tour" | date=April 22, 2019 | accessdate=July 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507090826/https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 | archive-date=May 7, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref>
Daniel Ellsworth played an opening set at the Troubour, LA on July 10, 2019<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.troubadour.com/event/1852707-avi-kaplan-otherside-tour-los-angeles/ | title=Avi Kaplan at the Troubadour, LA | date=June 21, 2019 | accessdate=July 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714211845/https://www.troubadour.com/event/1852707-avi-kaplan-otherside-tour-los-angeles/ | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref> and at the Aladdin Theater, OR on July 15, 2019.

In October 2019, tickets went on sale for Kaplan's I’ll Get By Tour in Europe<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 | title=Avi Kaplan's "European Tour" | date=October 4, 2019 | accessdate=October 4, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009003115/https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 |archive-date=2019-10-09| url-status=live }}</ref> and in November 2019, the tickets for North America went on sale. Tour dates have been announced for the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the UK, the USA and Canada.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 | title=Avi Kaplan's "I'll Get By Tour" | date=November 5, 2019 | accessdate=November 5, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009003115/https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/tour-1 |archive-date=2019-10-09| url-status=live }}</ref> In January, 2020, it was publicized that the Indie-Folk duo [https://www.paperwingsmusic.com/ Paper Wings] would be joining Kaplan for the U.S. dates of the tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Avi_Kaplan/status/1215319201826660354|title=So excited to announce @PaperWingsduo will be joining the I'll Get By Tour as support! Their music is truly beautiful. I can't wait for you all to hear them!pic.twitter.com/yri2WGHdxO|last=Kaplan|first=Avi|date=2020-01-09|website=@Avi_Kaplan|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Paperwingsduo/status/1216054796299358209|title=We are pleased to announce that we will be supporting @avi_kaplan on his upcoming U.S. tour! We hope to see you on the road. More details and dates coming soon Photograph by: sarahkathrynw @ Nashville, Tennessee <nowiki>https://www.instagram.com/p/B7MDjkjBfc0/</nowiki> …|last=Wings|first=Paper|date=2020-01-11|website=@Paperwingsduo|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> During the I'll Get By Tour in Europe & North America Kaplan was accompanied on stage by Kaleb Thomas Jones (bass guitar/vocals) and Noah Denney (drums/vocals).

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://www.avikaplanofficial.com/}}
*[http://avrielandthesequoias.com/ Avriel and the Sequoias]
*{{YouTube|u=AviKaplanMusic|{{PAGENAMEBASE}}}}

{{Pentatonix}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaplan, Avi}}
[[Category:Pentatonix members]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Visalia, California]]
[[Category:American basses]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American folk-pop singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:Jewish American musicians]]

Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Avi Kaplan