01/15/14 The vocal group Naturally 7 returns to the Eppley Auditorium stage on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. The New York City based group is touring Europe with Michael Bublé. The group has released nine albums and two live performance DVDs. The group’s unusual style was even featured in a TED Talk event in 2009.
The men of Naturally 7 perform a capella, but what you might not expect from this vocal group is what else they do — their voices contain multitudes of instruments, from a glorious trumpet to a full drum kit (with a side of turntables). They call it “vocal play” — the art of creating instrumental music with the human voice. It’s an evolutionary step beyond beatboxing, which is a solo pursuit — these seven musicians are a tight orchestra.
Naturally 7’s sonic range is clear even by reading the member lineup: Roger “N’glish” Thomas is a baritone and rapper; Rod Eldridge handles tenor, trumpet and scratching; Warren Thomas brings percussion, guitar and a third tenor. Baritone Dwight Stewart; tenors Jamal Reed and Garfield Buckley (who also plays harmonica); and bass Armand “Hops” Hutton round out the group.
Naturally 7 wows audiences with a full-band sound created entirely with their own voices. The group sold out its last Huffington Concert Series performance at Culver Academies in 2005.
Tickets for the performance are available through the Culver Academies Theatre Department. People interested in purchasing tickets may do so by calling (574) 842-7058 or emailing Marsha Coven (Marsha.Coven@culver.org). Tickets are also available at the Steinbrenner Performing Arts Center Box Office from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the Eppley Auditorium Box Office one hour before the performance.
