NATURALLY7 & „PLAY“:
Roger "N..glish" Thomas 1st Baritone, Rap
Dwight Stewart 2nd Baritone
Rod Eldridge 1st Tenor, Scratching, Trumpet
Garfield Buckley 2nd Tenor, Harmonica
Jamal Reed 4th Tenor
Warren Thomas Percussion, Guitar, 3rd Tenor
"Hops" Bass
Influences
The Jacksons New Edition Earth Wind & Fire, Commissioned,Doug E. Fresh, Take 6, The Real Group, The Winans, The Swingle Singers, Bobby McFerrin, The Fugees, Sly and the Family Stone, The Roots....
Sounds Like
A FULL VOCAL PLAY BAND!!!
BANNER: NATURALLY7
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NATURALLY7:
Who is Naturally 7?For Naturally 7, the turning point came in the fall of 2007. From quiet success in Europe they have been propelled onto the world stage, performing before over a quarter of a million people.
As the opening act for internationally acclaimed singer Michael Bublé, Naturally 7 were met with standing ovations nightly in Europe, the U.K., Canada, Australia and the U.S!
2008 has been nothing short of remarkable and the highlight reel, one to take note of. In May they made their national U.S. Television debut on Ellen and joined Bublé for a guest appearance on The Today Show. More recently, they opened for Jay Leno in Las Vegas, were guests on Tavis Smiley, performed at NARM and helped celebrate Quincy Jones’ 75th Birthday in Montreux.
With their rich harmonies, an unbelievable ability to replicate instruments and a stage presence that can be felt in every seat of the house, Naturally 7, the first vocal play group ever, are amazing, charming fans where ever they perform.
Today Naturally 7 are Roger Thomas (musical director, arranger, 1st Baritone, Rap ), Warren Thomas (percussion, guitar, clarinet, 3rd tenor) Rod Eldridge (1st tenor, scratching, trumpet), Jamal Reed (4th Tenor, electric guitar), Dwight Stewart (2nd baritone) , Garfield Buckley (2nd Tenor, Harmonica) and “Hops” Hutton (Bass).
The origins of the group date back to New York City in 1999 when Roger Thomas started the group with his brother, Warren, and five other talented singers they had come to know over the years from singing around the city. Having been in and out of several traditional male groups over the years, Roger developed an affinity for a cappella sounds and a unique ability to create distinct harmony arrangements. When invited to sing at a major a cappella competition in New York, they won the competition, moved onto the nationals and took away two more wins.
Riding the wave of this newfound success and still unable to decide if Naturally 7 were going to be an a cappella group or a traditional band, Roger had a novel idea: they could be both.
He remembered as a child, his brother Warren always wanted a drum set but their mother always told him no because it was just too noisy. So Warren learned to make true drum sounds, with different ways of making the kick, toms, snare, cymbals, and other drum sounds, to compensate for not having real drums to play. Roger approached Warren with the idea from their childhood, and asked if he could become the band’s drummer, so to speak, to accompany Naturally 7 on up-tempo songs.
The idea evolved, and the other band members found unique aspects of their own voices to determine which members would BE which instrument. After all, Roger thought, if the human voice truly was an instrument, it should not matter which instrument it needed to be. And for Naturally 7, it really didn’t matter; “Vocal Play” was born. What is the difference between Vocal Play and a cappella? A cappella is defined as singing without instruments. Vocal Play is singing AS instruments, and BECOMING an instrument with the voice.
What makes Naturally 7 special is that every instrument sound that they sing is created from the human voice. There are no actual drums, guitars, horns, flutes, or any other instrument that is heard when listening to them perform; it’s the band members playing each of their vocal instruments.
The band has now recorded four albums – “Non Fiction” the aptly titled “What Is It” which spawned the 1 German hit “Music is the Key”, a duet with German superstar Sarah Connor, “Christmas …It’s A Love Story” and “Ready II Fly”. The latter contains the radio and You Tube hit “Feel It (In the Air Tonight”). Naturally 7’s now famous Paris subway performance of the song, has received over two and a half million hits on You Tube and the number of people discovering the group, adds to that figure daily.
The group is currently working on new material set for release in 2009. Their phenomenal talent coupled with a live show that many consider to be one of the best in the world, has Naturally 7 poised for a brilliant future.
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Naturally Seven (Official)'s Friend Space (Top 24)
Just finished watching the new "Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration" Live in Montreux 2008 DVD - what a night that must have been.
You guys sure looked like you were having lots of fun up there, especially during "Stuff Like That" and when Quincy Jones came up on stage to thank the artists. The smiles on your faces couldn't have been any wider!
To be part of the birthday celebrations must have been quite something in itself but it looked like you guys were the *only* act who also got to perform their own original song that night (Wall of Sound)? - at least it was the only original song that made it onto the DVD edit. In my books, that's a pretty big accolade given the artists with whom you shared the stage that night!
As for performing my favourite Naturally 7 song, "Another You" backstage, just minutes before you were due to go on stage (which can be seen in the bonus "Thank Q" feature) that's just a testament to how hard you guys obviously work offstage, as well and onstage, and the selfless joy you bring to everyone's lives you touch.
I loved the expression of the other artists who were watching backstage when you were performing "Wall of Sound" in the auditorium. It's obvious how much love and respect the great Quincy Jones has for Naturally 7 and deservedly so!
Have a great show at the Montreux Jazz Festival on Saturday guys - one day I hope to make it there. It looks fabulous!
Oh, and have a great time singing with Michael Bublé on "The Late Late Show" too - I am truly grateful to Michael for introducing Naturally 7 into my life as I'm sure are so many others!
Hey guys, Been catching up with your recent videos on youtube. Cant wait to see you guys in November. Oh & would love it if you would check out my blog on Michael Jackson. J xx
I got my MB DVD at Madison Square Garden and I must say..U Guys did a wonderful job with Stardust! I watched it over and over and over LOL LOL Great Job-as always-!!! Many blessings to you all.
Heyy guys! I miss you guys. You should come to michigan in september so i can see you for my birthday. My family would love to see you again. Keep it up. Comment my back please(:
Thank you for your friendship. I think you guys are fabulous!!! I hope you will come to OHIO and do a show.. I would love to see you live... I wish you much successes...
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