Ensemble revives an a cappella tradition

Mention a cappella vocal groups, and the first thing that probably comes to mind is the doo-wop ensembles of the ‘50s and beyond. But jazz has a long tradition of vocalized harmonies as well. Sometimes with, sometimes without instrumental accompaniment, it reaches from the Boswell Sisters and the Mills Brothers through Mel Torme’s Mel-Tones; Lambert, Hendricks & Ross; and the Manhattan Transfer.

Unfortunately, it’s not a tradition that gets aired in public with much frequency these days, so it’s always a pleasure when the holiday season rolls around and Inner Voices presents its annual Christmas a cappella show at the Jazz Bakery. On Sunday afternoon, the superb five-voice ensemble -- Morgan Ames, Shelby Flint, Melissa Mackay, Julie Delgado and Michael Mishaw -- offered a lengthy program of unusual holiday material, climaxed by a sing-along segment of caroling with the near-capacity audience.

With resumes that encompass virtually every area of the music business, the members of Inner Voices are capable of singing almost anything placed in front them, and the program took the quintet through a colorfully eclectic array of music.

Among the many high points: the lovely harmonies on “Jinglette Bells” and Oliver Nelson’s “A Child Is Born,” Mackay’s sweetly poignant rendering of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” the soulful singing of Flint and guest Jim Gilstrap on Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home for Christmas” and the witty sendup (complete with Don Ho impression by Mishaw) of “A Hawaiian Christmas Song.”

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Inner Voices

Where: The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City

When: Sunday, 4 p.m.

Price: $18 adults, $10 children

Contact: (310) 271-9039