WASHINGTON (Aug. 16) – Afro Blue, Howard University’s award-winning vocal ensemble, will be one of 16 groups competing for the grand prize on the third season of NBC’s hit a cappella talent show series The Sing-Off.  The series, hosted by Nick Lachey, will premiere on Sept. 19 with returning judges Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman alongside singer Sara Bareilles, who is replacing Nicole Scherzinger.

The winning act will score $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music.
Afro Blue, which was formed in 2002 by Professor Connaitre Miller, has performed around the world and received six Downbeat music magazine awards, including Best College Jazz Group, Outstanding College Jazz Choir, Best College Jazz Arrangement and Outstanding College Jazz Soloist.

The group has recorded two CDs, “It’s a Matter of Pride” and “Freedom in Song.”

Also competing on The Sing-Off will be:

The Cat’s Pajamas -- An all-male group based in Branson, Mo.
The Collective -- A Nashville troupe formed by season-two contestant Jeremy Lister of Street Corner Symphony.
Dartmouth Aires -- 15 guys from the New Hampshire Ivy League school.
Delilah – A Los Angeles-based all-female group, including members from the first two Sing-Off seasons.
The Deltones -- Co-ed ensemble from the University of Delaware.
Fannin Family -- An octet of relatives from the Midwest.
Kinfolk 9 -- A professional group out of Los Angeles with members who all have the ability to share lead vocals.
Messiah’s Men -- Liberian refugees on a mission to serve God through music.
North Shore -- A Boston-based street corner ensemble tackling music from the 1940s to today.
Pentatonix – A five-member group from Arlington, Tex., with eclectic musical tastes.
Sonos – A well-known professional a cappella group that has collaborated in the past with Bareilles.
Soul’d Out – A co-ed high school club from Wilsonville, Ore.
Urban Method – A Newly-formed act from Denver that includes a rapper.
Vocal Point – An all-male ensemble from Brigham Young University.
The YellowJackets – A contemporary crew from the University of Rochester that is known for wearing yellow blazers

To see more, visit these links:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/16/the-sing-off-season-3-contestants/

http://www.tvline.com/2011/08/nbc-sing-off-reveals-season-3-groups/#240849-17-The-Sing-Off