Avi Kaplan
Introduction
Avriel Benjamin "Avi" Kaplan is an American singer and songwriter, most well known as a member of the a cappella group Pentatonix. He is known for his bass voice, and often acts as the vocal bass of Pentatonix. In May 2017, Kaplan announced that he was leaving Pentatonix following their upcoming tour.
In 2017, Kaplan debuted his solo folk music project, Avriel & the Sequoias, in which he also plays guitar. His debut EP, Sage and Stone, will be released in June 9, 2017; the first song, "Fields and Pier", premiered on April 29. He is a three-time Grammy Award winner, as a part of Pentatonix.
Biography
Avriel Benjamin Kaplan was born on April 17, 1989 in Visalia, California, where he was also raised. He has a brother and a sister, the latter now being Pentatonix' tour manager.
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.
Career
Before joining Pentatonix, Kaplan was already an accomplished a capella artist, while also performing in operas and jazz.
He joined Pentatonix in 2011, when original members Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying were searching for a bass singer and a beatboxer. The group met the day before the auditions for the third season of The Sing-Off began. The group successfully auditioned for the show and eventually went on to win the title for 2011 (season three). Kaplan acts as the group's vocal bass, but frequently sings lead parts as well.
As a member of Pentatonix, Kaplan has won 3 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.On February 15, 2016, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the same category, this time for “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from their “That’s Christmas to Me” album.On February 12, 2017, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the "Best Country duo/group performance" category for "Jolene" which featured Dolly Parton.
On April 29, 2017, Kaplan premiered "Fields and Pier", his first song as a solo artist, under the name "Avriel & the Sequoias". His debut EP, Sage and Stone, will be released in June 9, 2017. In May 2017, Kaplan announced that he will be leaving Pentatonix following their upcoming tour.
Discography
Avriel & the Sequoias
- Sage and Stone (EP, 2017)
Pentatonix
As a guest
- Home Free - "Ring of Fire"
- Peter Hollens - "Black Is the Color Of My True Love's Hair"