The Fresh Beat Band

The Fresh Beat Band (originally known as The JumpArounds) is an American live-action musical children's television series created by Scott Kraft and Nadine van der Velde for Nickelodeon. The show stars the "Fresh Beats" (Kiki, Shout, Marina, and Twist), described as four best friends in a band who are determined to follow their dreams. The series aired from August 24, 2009 to December 7, 2013.

The Fresh Beat Band
The Fresh Beats' logo
Also known asThe JumpArounds
GenreMusical fiction
Children's television series
Comedy
Created by
Developed by
  • Alice Prodanou
  • Scott Kraft
  • Nadine van der Velde
Written by
  • Scott Kraft
  • Nadine van der Velde
  • Heather MacGillvray
  • Kim Duran
  • Linda Mathious
  • Carla Waddles Banks
  • Calvin Leung
  • Tom Saunders
  • Alice Prodanou
  • Dan Danko
  • Tom Mason
  • Kerri Grant
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme"The Fresh Beat Band!"
Ending theme"The Fresh Beat Band!" (instrumental)
ComposerMatter Music
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes60 + 1 stand-alone special[1] (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Scott Kraft
  • Nadine van der Velde
Producers
  • Jim Kukucka
  • Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg
  • Chris Robinson
Production locationsParamount Studios, Hollywood
Cinematography
  • Tim Gonuos
  • Carlos Gonzalez
Editors
  • Mitch Sinoway
  • Cindy Parisotto
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time23 minutes
Production companyNickelodeon Productions
Release
Original network
Original releaseAugust 24, 2009 (2009-08-24) –
December 7, 2013 (2013-12-07)
Related
Fresh Beat Band of Spies

In 2015, an animated television series, Fresh Beat Band of Spies, premiered on Nickelodeon. All four members of the band lend their voices to their respective characters in the spin-off.

Premise

All episodes follow the same basic structure:

  • Each episode begins with a song that foreshadows a problem that the band will solve.
  • The band works together to solve the problem.
  • When the problem is solved they perform a song with the problem and solution incorporated into the lyrics.
  • Each episode concludes with a version of The Fresh Beat Band's closing song, "Great Day".
  • The main characters dance to choreography by Mandy Moore;[2] Sean Cheesman; Chuck Maldonado; Scotty Nguyen; Dreya Weber; Mary Ann Kellogg; Nakul Mahajan; Mihran Kirakosian; Susan Austin, and Fred Tallaksen.

Also, they appeared in the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest.

Episodes
Main article: List of the Fresh Beat Band episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
120August 24, 2009 (2009-08-24)May 28, 2010 (2010-05-28)
220August 30, 2010 (2010-08-30)July 24, 2011 (2011-07-24)
320June 24, 2011 (2011-06-24)December 7, 2013 (2013-12-07)
SpecialApril 21, 2013 (2013-04-21)

During the buildup to the show's debut, the band was initially advertised as The JumpArounds. Commercials promoting the band under that name were in heavy rotation on Nickelodeon prior to the series debut. The change occurred approximately in mid July 2009. The name was revealed on the Nick Jr. website, then made its debut on television.[3]

Characters

Main
The show's main characters are:[4]
Kiki of "The Fresh Beat Band"
Kiki (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer) – guitar, violin, vocals
Shout of "The Fresh Beat Band"
Shout (Thomas Hobson) – keyboards, vocals
Marina of "The Fresh Beat Band"
Marina (Tara Perry - who replaced Shayna Rose) – drums, vocals
Twist of "The Fresh Beat Band"
Twist (Jon Beavers) – turntables, beatbox, vocals

Recurring
  • Harper the Pizza Maker – owner of the Pizza Café, played by Shane Blades
  • Melody the Smoothie Maker – owner of the Groovy Smoothie Shop, played by Dioni Michelle Collins
  • Ms. Piccolo the Teacher – music school teacher, played by Monica Lee Gradischek
  • Reed the Guitar Player – occasional guitar player and supplier of the Fresh Beats' instruments, played by Hadley Fraser (season 1) and Patrick Levis (seasons 2–3)

There are also four children known as "The Junior Beats" who are essentially the child equivalent of their grown-up counterparts. They sing, dance, and dress as a corresponding character.

Music

The Fresh Beat Band: Music From the Hit TV Show was released on January 31, 2012.[5] The album sold 189,000 copies in the US in 2012.[6] A second collection, Vol 2.0: More Music From The Hit TV Show was released on October 9, 2012.[7]

Singles

Four singles were released to iTunes; "Great Day" was released on February 2, 2010, "Here We Go" was released on June 28, 2011, "A Friend Like You" was released on September 13, 2011, and "Just Like a Rockstar" was released on November 29, 2011.[8][9][10][11]

Music from the Hit TV Show
The Fresh Beats (from left: Shout, Marina, Kiki, Twist), pictured at an angle holding their respective instruments in front of a background of sun rays, colored pink, light blue, light green, yellow and orange, in that order, each separated by a white sunray
The Fresh Beats’ album cover
Studio album by
The Fresh Beat Band
ReleasedJanuary 31, 2012
Recorded2009–2011
Genre
Length40:13
LanguageEnglish
LabelViacom International Inc., Legacy Recordings, KRU Music, Varèse Sarabande
DirectorThomas Hobson
Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer
Zendaya
ProducerNorman, Yusry, Edry
CompilerArena Wan
The Fresh Beat Band chronology
The JumpArounds
(2007)		 ''Music from the Hit TV Show''
(January 31, 2012)		 Let’s Get Loud - EP
(2012)
Singles from The Fresh Beat Band
  1. "Great Day"
    Released: February 2, 2010
  2. "Here We Go"
    Released: June 28, 2011
  3. "A Friend Like You"
    Released: September 13, 2011
  4. "Just Like a Rockstar"
    Released: November 29, 2011

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Fresh Beat Band Theme Song"0:49
2."Here We Go"1:53
3."A Friend Like You"2:19
4."Just Like a Rockstar"2:02
5."Reach for the Sky"1:55
6."I Can Do Anything"2:01
7."Bananas"1:47
8."Music (Keeps Me Movin')"2:09
9."Good Times"2:00
10."Loco Legs"2:37
11."Get Up and Go Go"2:08
12."Another Perfect Day"2:12
13."Shine"2:19
14."Stomp the House"2:15
15."Surprise Yourself"2:10
16."We're Unstoppable"2:06
17."Friends Give Friends a Hand"1:20
18."Freeze Dance"1:53
19."Great Day"2:08
20."Sun Beautiful Sun" (Bonus track by the Bubble Guppies)2:10

Home media

Retail releases
Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
The Wizard of Song August 14, 2012 3
  • "The Wizard of Song"
  • "Ghost Band"
  • "Chimps in Charge"

Manufacture on-demand releases
Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
Season 1 March 6, 2012[12] 5 (Disc 1)
5 (Disc 2)
5 (Disc 3)
5 (Disc 4)

Disc 1:

  • "Loco Legs"
  • "Stick Together"
  • "Stomp the House"
  • "Let's Boogie"
  • "Hippity Hop"

Disc 2:

  • "Quack Shoes"
  • "Bounce the House"
  • "Band Together"
  • "Freeze Dance"
  • "Sing with Me"

Disc 3:

  • "Rock to Sleep"
  • "Glow for It"
  • "Hip Hop Hoedown"
  • "Smoothies to Go Go"
  • "March Our Way"

Disc 4:

  • "Rhyme Time"
  • "Doggone It"
  • "Rock the Luau"
  • "Hocus Pocus"
  • "Bubble Blast"
Season 2 March 6, 2012[13] 5 (Disc 1)
5 (Disc 2)
5 (Disc 3)
4 (Disc 4)

Disc 1:

  • "Jungle Jazz"
  • "Balloon Buddy"
  • "Honk Honk"
  • "Camping with the Stars"
  • "Circus Mojo"

Disc 2:

  • "Singin' in the Rain"
  • "Presto Pants"
  • "Giant Pumpkin"
  • "Back to School"
  • "The Case of the Missing Violin"

Disc 3:

  • "Fresh Beats in Toyland"
  • "Zydeco Music Parade"
  • "Car Wash Dance"
  • "Follow the Leader"
  • "Kiki's Kickin' Chorus"

Disc 4:

  • "Drum Party"
  • "Mixed Up Musical"
  • "Band in a Jam"
  • "Step It Up"
Season 3 April 10, 2014[14] 5 (Disc 1)
5 (Disc 2)
5 (Disc 3)
4 (Disc 4)

Disc 1:

  • "Graduation Day"
  • "Giant Pizza"
  • "Dance Floor Superhero"
  • "Cool Pool Party"
  • "Snow Day"

Disc 2:

  • "Rock Star"
  • "The Fresh Bots"
  • "Chimps in Charge"
  • "Pink Swan"
  • "Hoop Dreams"

Disc 3:

  • "Bollywood Beats"
  • "Yo Fresh Beats Go Gabba Gabba"
  • "Ghost Band"
  • "Veloci-Rap-Star"
  • "Laughing Dance Master"

Disc 4:

  • "Royal Wedding"
  • "Keeping It Green"
  • "Dance-A-Thon"
  • "The Wizard of Song"

Episodes on Nick Jr. compilation DVDs
Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
Nickelodeon: Rootin' Tootin' Wild West January 29, 2013 (Walmart)
August 6, 2013 (retail)		 1
  • "Hip Hop Hoedown"
Nickelodeon: Once Upon a Rhyme April 30, 2013
  • "Royal Wedding"
Nickelodeon: Celebrate Fall! August 18, 2015
  • "Giant Pumpkin"

Episodes on Nick Jr. iTunes compilations
Name Release Date Number of Episodes Episode Titles
To School We Go! August 16, 2010 1
  • "March Our Way"
Haunted Halloween Vol. 3 October 25, 2010
  • "Glow for It"
Bundle of Love Vol. 2 January 31, 2011
  • "Freeze Dance"
Move to the Music June 6, 2011
  • "Band Together"
Let's Learn Music November 12, 2012
  • "Rock Star"
Let's Learn Science November 12, 2012
  • "Keepin' it Green"
Let's Learn Weather November 12, 2012
  • "Singin' in the Rain"
Circus March 4, 2013
  • "Circus Mojo"
Let's Drive! April 15, 2013
  • "Car Wash Dance"
Royal Playdates Vol. 1 July 8, 2013
  • "Royal Wedding"
Let's Go to the Rainforest! July 29, 2013
  • "Jungle Jazz"
Back to School August 13, 2013
  • "Back to School"
Happy Halloween October 23, 2013
  • "Ghost Band"
Treasure Hunt Vol. 2 March 31, 2014
  • "The Case of the Missing Violin"
Bedtime Stories September 29, 2014
  • "Rock to Sleep"

Reception

Critical response

Drew Magary of Deadspin describes the show as "pure evil, as much as an innocent and friendly show about good friends can be pure evil".[15]

Nominations and awards
  • 26th Annual Imagen Awards Nomination for Best Young Actress/Television : Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer in The Fresh Beat Band[16]
  • Parents Choice 2011 Award: The Fresh Beat Band – Fun Stuff (Ages: 2 – 5 years) [17]

References
  1. "The Fresh Beat Band's First-Ever Concert Special Premieres in Primetime Sunday, April 21". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016.
  2. "Summit County dancer turned pro returns". SummitDaily.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  3. "Nickelodeon's "The JumpArounds" Aims At Kids' Musical Sensibilities – Channel Guide Magazine". Channelguidemagblog.com. May 1, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  4. "Meet the Characters | Fresh Beat Band | Nick Jr". Nick Jr. August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  5. "iTunes – Music – The Fresh Beat Band (Music from the Hit TV Show) by The Fresh Beat Band". Itunes.apple.com. January 31, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  6. Paul Grein (January 3, 2013). "Chart Watch Extra: Top Albums of 2012". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  7. "The Fresh Beat Band Vol 2.0: More Music From The Hit TV Show: The Fresh Beat Band: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. October 9, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  8. "iTunes – Music – Great Day – Single by The Fresh Beat Band". Itunes.apple.com. February 2, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  9. "iTunes – Music – Here We Go – Single by The Fresh Beat Band". Itunes.apple.com. June 28, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  10. "iTunes – Music – A Friend Like You – Single by The Fresh Beat Band". Itunes.apple.com. September 13, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  11. "iTunes – Music – Just Like a Rockstar – Single by The Fresh Beat Band". Itunes.apple.com. November 29, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  12. "The Fresh Beat Band: Season 1: Movies & TV". Amazon. March 6, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  13. "The Fresh Beat Band: Season 2: Movies & TV". Amazon. March 6, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  14. "The Fresh Beat Band Season 3: Movies & TV". Amazon. April 10, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  15. "Why Your Children's Television Program Sucks: The Fresh Beat Band". Deadspin. April 12, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  16. "Nominees for 26th Annual Imagen Awards Announced | The Imagen Foundation". Imagen.org. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  17. "The Fresh Beat Band". Parents-choice.org. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
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