NORWICH – Imagine ... the swing and style of The Manhattan Transfer, the hip jazz licks of Take 6, the percussive power of Stomp, the funk and drive of Earth, Wind, & Fire, the moves and soul of Motown, and the brass bite of the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band. All created by the human voice alone! On Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., the acapella singing group m-pact will bring all of that when they perform in the Martin W. Kappel Theater of the Chenango County Council of the Arts in a show called “My Funny Valentine: Heart Songs through the Decades.”

Hailed as “one of the best pop-jazz vocal groups in the world” by the San Francisco Chronicle, m-pact is respected worldwide as a cutting edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Emerging from an age of auto-tune and overproduction, this Los Angeles-based sextet has cultivated a new generation of ears hungry for the fresh, raw power of nature’s “first instrument” - the human voice.

From the beginning, the “pact” of these well-studied masters has been to stay true to Music, regardless of style or genre. Their sophisticated sound and accessible appeal have garnered vast accolades, including “Vocal Group of the Year” from the LA Music Awards, an Indie nomination (the Independent GrammyTM), “Artist of the Year” (Seattle Music Awards), and Grand National Champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes competition.

Touring renowned fine arts halls and jazz festivals across four continents, m-pact has performed with pop superstars Sheryl Crow, Boyz II Men, Kenny G, Liza Minnelli, Babyface, Rick Springfield and Jackson Browne to name a few, as well as with jazz legends from Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Bobby McFerrin, Take 6, and the New York Voices to the Woody Herman Orchestra and the Maynard Ferguson Big Band. Over the last dozen years, their signature sound has been used in both TV themes and animated Disney feature films, and is enjoyed on syndicated radio worldwide.

Around the globe, mesmerized audiences buzz from the thrill of m-pact’s vocal acrobatics, innovative orchestrations, and commanding yet authentic stage presence. Unknowing ears of all ages come expecting entertainment but leave enriched from an indescribable experience: the musical journey across Technicolor soundscapes produced by this “Cirque du Soleil of Song.”

Each of m-pact’s five original studio recordings has received rave reviews and multiple awards, including Best Jazz Album, Best Pop/R&B Song, Best Male Vocalist, and Best Vocal Arrangement (the CARA Awards), Best Seasonal Album (”Indie” nomination), and Best Unsigned Band (Billboard Magazine). Pristine production, creativity, and solid songwriting are among the many strengths showcased on every m-pact recording. With national distribution by City Hall (USA) and int’l distribution by Feel Music (Korea),  m-pact’s music continues to reach the ears of new fans around the world.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, m-pact will be performing a show called “My Funny Valentine” featuring a variety of love songs. Tickets for m-pact range in price from $17.50 to $24.50 with discounts for seniors and members of the Council of the Arts. Tickets for youth 18 and under are $10.

This performance is sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company with additional funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

m-pact is the fourth concert in the Council’s 2010/11 performing arts series. The final performance is The John Henrys, a roots band, scheduled for March 11. The Council’s Chamber Music Series begins on March 20.

For reservations or more information, go to the Council’s website at www.chenangoarts.org or call 336-2787. The Chenango County Council of the Arts is located at 27 West Main St., Norwich.