【天橋?阿卡貝拉音樂節】Naturally7北京演唱會
當人們每天都吃快餐,他們說,我需要一些不同的東西
天橋 ? 阿卡貝拉音樂節 Naturally7北京演唱會
Naturally 7是美國極具知名度的人聲樂團,他們擅長“玩人聲”(Vocal Play),結合節奏,R&B,人聲樂器等風格,可以在一首曲子里融入架子鼓、長號、小號、貝斯、吉他、口琴、笛子等各種你想得到、想不到的音效,將和聲與樂器模仿、人聲打擊等元素玩到了爐火純青的境界。 “Naturally 7”1999年成立于紐約,他們的音樂集結R&B與強力重拍的人聲打擊,在歐美知名程度甚高,連邁可布雷(Michael Bublé)都邀請一起參與全球巡演,并合作《Silver Bells》圣誕專輯。另外包括Coldpaly,杰克森家族等都與其有過合作。他們至今出過十張專輯以及一張演唱會DVD,每張專輯均受全球樂迷追捧。除了與各明星合作,演出足跡也是遍及全球。他們的專場巡演遍及五大洲,每場演出都熱力十足。作為業界極具地位的團體,獲得有阿卡貝拉界格萊美獎之稱的CARA獎更是不足為奇。
天橋 ? 阿卡貝拉音樂節 Naturally7北京演唱會
在如今音樂的世界充斥著形形色色的技術和竅門,
這使得一種重要的元素正在慢慢流失:人聲之美。
讓我們共同認識一下Naturally 7
他們不僅僅是一個7人組成的演唱團隊。其成員更研究出了一個耐人尋味的無伴奏合唱風格,他們稱之為“玩聲”- 猶如樂器般的演唱。在追求聲樂的路上, Naturally 7不僅唱歌,還確保歌曲中每一種樂器都得到完美的展現。比如鼓,貝司,吉他,喇叭,長笛......甚至包括轉盤。
“John Legend的歌曲‘All of Me’的成功,取決于他和鋼琴,”Naturally 7代表者Roger Thomas說, “人們想聽到的是歌曲真諦和其演唱者的聲音。重點在于讓人們聽到它。當人們每天都吃快餐,在某個時候,他們會說,'我需要一些不同的東西。’ 而我們就是那些不同的東西。”
約800萬人已經聯署簽名Thomas的想法。讓這句話廣為流傳:在世界三次巡回演唱會上與Michael Bublé的現場表演在歐洲,英國,加拿大,澳大利亞,亞洲和美國引起轟動。Naturally 7驚人的簡歷還包括為天團酷玩樂隊開場, Sarah Connor在德國排名第一的單曲“Music Is the Key”,2006年在澳大利亞排行前15名的專輯的Ready II Fly和超過2千萬次在YouTube上的點擊率。
他們還與通用磨坊公司在蜂蜜堅果麥片的兩個廣告中合作。于2014年十一月先用15秒順口溜再現經典的 “Honey of an O”。第二個廣告在NBC的今日秀上首播并包括了 Hidden In Plain Sight中的單曲 “Keep The Customer Satisfied”。
然而正如Thomas所承認的,“很多人仍然不知道我們在做什么。”所以現在的R&B,靈魂樂和流行樂團隊正帶其美國的專輯重新登場,恰當地命名為“Hidden in Plain Sight”(Hidden Beach Experiences,二月十號)。副標題Vox Maximus 專輯1,一個包括14首賞心悅目的歌單。
慢慢的超越R&B和流行樂,Naturally 7嘗試各種曲風從傳統的福音到以17世紀的巴洛克風格,這些表面上似乎并不是很融洽的各種流派。但在音樂總監/第一男中音/說唱歌手Thomas和他的六個同伴 - 兄弟Warren Thomas(鼓,三男高音),Rod Eldridge(第一男高音,轉盤,小號),Napoleon “Polo” Cummings(第四男高音,吉他手),Dwight Stewart(第二男中音,長號),Garfield Buckley(第二男高音,口琴)和Armand “Hops” Hutton(低音)- 讓一切不可能變為可能。
首當其沖的是單曲“Fix You”, 酷玩樂隊的代表作已經成為了觀眾最喜愛的Naturally 7的現場表演。該團隊的重新演繹給這首歌帶來了新的力度,這首歌的副歌:“燈將引導你回家/點燃你的骨/我會嘗試修復你的。”相關的音樂視頻次在雅虎音樂上播出,被形容為“一個美麗迷人的版本...和原作可以相媲美”,并接到來自音樂愛好者的好評如潮。
該團隊從Mahalia Jackson’s的福音經典“Trouble of the World”中尋找靈感和那美麗又赤裸的“Mahalia。”為了達到音樂的政變,Naturally 7借用了Queen的“Bohemian Rhapsody”和“Galileo”結合。Thomas說,“我們是世界第一許可采樣搖滾樂隊,我們很榮幸能夠做到這一點。”
Naturally 7的音樂魅力來自于Thomas所說的“混雜”:以某知名歌曲的精髓,并把自己的旋律和歌詞賦予其之上。Wham的感染之作“Everything She Wants”為“Life Goes On”提供了動力,而Art of Noise的“Moments In Love”使得模仿的所有歌曲的樂器并演唱了自己的歌曲的混雜而成的“Moments(I’ve Been Loved)”。其中八首原創音樂包括“Keep the Customer Satisfied” 和“Rhapsody of the Queen。”
Thomas把專輯Hidden In Plain Sight比作在廚房里嘗試各種配料的廚師。“他使用人們品嘗過的食物,但他決定把兩種或三種東西混在一起。對于Hidden專輯來說,我們開始建設一個歌劇又古典的氛圍,再把它包裝進了一個現代城市的背景里。”
這是符合的Naturally 7的音樂影響,其范圍從清唱前輩Take Six與Bobby McFerrin,到嘻哈Doug E. Fresh,胖男孩和流浪者合唱團的深度。在這寫前輩之間是40年代 R&B四重奏Ink Spots, Carpenters, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bee Gees 和 Beatles。
“我們希望把團體模式帶回來,”Thomas說。 “長久以來,再也沒有出現過像O’Jays, Four Tops, Jodeci和 Boyz II Men的組合。我們要擔起這個責任。”
Naturally 7在2007年成名,一炮而紅:該團隊在巴黎地鐵列車上演唱Phil Collins的“In the Air Tonight”的視頻在YouTube上引起轟動。經過Bublé邀請其作為國際巡演的合作伙伴, Naturally 7最近還參加了花花公子的爵士音樂節,在倫敦的皇家阿爾伯特音樂廳表演,在BET Honors的Herbie Hancock進行表演,在瑞士蒙特勒Quincy Jones的75歲生日派對上演唱。
現在Naturally 7帶著它們的最近專輯Hidden In Plain Sight和大家見面。 “大多數無伴奏合唱團只專注于清唱部分,” Thomas說。“這很好, 但我們盡力確保它們都是好歌。永遠流行的歌。”
Dwight Stewart is a singer/songwriter and a current member of the group "NATURALLY SEVEN." He has been a member since the beginning (1999). Since then they went on and recorded six studio albums and two live projects. In 2003 the group landed a number one on hit song "Music Is The Key" with German princess Sara Connor. That song also went on to be successful In other countries. In 2006 the group was blessed to chart again in several countries with a cover of Phil Collins "Feel It ( In The Air Tonight). They have went on to record with Quincy Jones, Ludacris, Michael Buble and many others.
In 2014, Naturally Seven landed a National commercial with "Honey Nut Cheerios."
Naturally Seven toured three world tours with the one and only Micheal Buble as his opening act. These tours have topped the box offices and landed #1 on the BillBoard charts. As a Brooklyn NewYork born native he also supports such organizations such as "LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA" and "STOMP OUT BULLYING."
Warren Thomas is the singer/vocal drummer/songwriter of the award-winning group Naturally 7. As a founding member of the group, he has toured extensively throughout the world (six continents) many times over. Born in Manchester, UK, he took an interest in music at a very young age, learning to play the guitar by the age of 9. Warren and his family relocated to New York City where he continued to grow musically by studying the rhythms and beats on the streets of the city. While in school, he played the trumpet and sang in choirs. Warren is a dedicated husband and father of three daughters. As a member of Naturally 7, he has performed on a plethora of TV shows, Radio shows and live shows, alongside top entertainers and politicians. He has also performed for royalty around the world, including the British royal family. Warren has performed for millions of fans at various stadiums, arenas and theatres around the world. He has lent his vocal talents to many corporations, including McDonalds, Wal-Mart, IBM and Apple. Most recently, Warren starred in a couple of General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios commercials currently being aired throughout North America. Warren performed on the soundtrack of the featured animated film ‘Animals United’ where his voice was also featured as the singing voice of the main character. In addition, Warren has also composed songs for other recording artists.
Warren has toured the world with multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning, Canadian crooner Michael Bublé from 2007 to present, by providing vocal background and vocal rhythms. He is a member of the Recording Academy and the Screen Actors Guild. Warren has served as a celebrity judge and vocal advisor for various TV shows around the world. He also donates his time and his musical talents to a wide-range of educational and social organizations, especially lending his talents to young people and serving as a mentor to them by sharing his knowledge of the music industry with them.
Kelvin Mitchell was born forth of six children in Queens, New York where his parents migrated to from Jamaica, West Indies. Because his mother directed the children’s choir and his father directed the adult Sanctuary Choir at their local church, Kelvin was surrounded by music and developed deep a love for it. As a result, music quickly became a huge part of his life.
Kelvin is the founding member and bass vocalist of his former Contemporary Gospel group 3AM where he developed his vocal styling, skills for arranging, and ear for A capella music. Although Kelvin is one of the newest members of Naturally 7, he feels right at home sharing his talent in front of large audiences. His past experiences include performing the National Anthem at both profession American Football and Major League Baseball sporting events. He’s also shared the stage with several International Recording Artist such as Take 6, Martha Munizzi, Faith Hill, Rick Braun, and Tamela Mann.
Kelvin is a former Music Education Major and is also a drummer and train French Horn instrumentalist. Some of his musical influences include Aaron Copeland, Doobie Powell, Wynton Marsalis, Take 6, The King’s Heralds, The Hi-Lo’s, Singers Unlimited and The Breath of Life Quartet.
Currently he resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife Crystal and their 2 daughters Jazmine and Juliana.
Lee R. Cort (PKA Ricky Cort)
Ricky Cort is a singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He has performed al over the U.S. With various artists such as Kirk Franklin, Patty LaBelle, and Pharell Williams. And has toured in Europe and Asia with Naturally 7. He has been featured on television performing on The Voice, The Grammys, and The Today Show. He has also performed in Movies like Universal Remote and High School Musical 2. Ricky currently tours as a member of Naturally 7.
Roger Thomas is the singer/songwriter/arranger/director for Naturally 7. He has arranged and produced seven studio albums for the cutting edge a cappella band. Born in Manchester, England, he has spent the majority of his life living in New York City.
With Naturally 7 he has toured the world several times over (including three world tours with Michael Bublé) performing as many as 200 shows per year. His arrangement of the famed Honey Nut Cheerios cereal jingle was recently featured in Naturally 7's television commercial which aired internationally. His musical arrangements have also been featured in media outlets such as the movie "Animals United" (released in 2010 in Germany), National Public Radio (NPR---USA), StarKing (South Korea), The Today Show (USA), The Ellen Show (USA), The View (USA), TED Talks, The Royal Variety Show (for the Royal Family of England), Wembley Stadium (UK), Madison Square Garden (New York City) and the Night of the Proms European Tour.
Songs he has written and/or arranged and produced have topped charts in countries in Europe, Asia and Africa; and he has arranged music to honor jazz greats Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock. Roger is the only artist (with Naturally 7) to be given permission to sample elements of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by legendary rock group, Queen (creating a new composition called "Galileo" featured on the latest album by Naturally 7, "Hidden in Plain Sight"). He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with his wife, Lynette and their children: Jordan, Quincy and Kennedy.
Roderick Eldridge was born in New York. Before the band he worked as an IT Technician. He is the vocal DJ in the part of vocal play specialty. To him, the best thing is being able to travel around the world and touch people by making music. His music was influences by EW&F, Fugees, Michael Jackson, Commissioned, Take 6, the swingle singles, Smokey Robinson
Garfield Buckley was born in London, England. His family is from Jamaica. He has been travelling all his life. He was raised in England, moved to Jamaica for a few years and then decided to live the American dream. He used to work as a COMPUTER TECHNICIAN in an architectural firm in New York. He is the 2nd Tenor the band, and specialty is the Harmonica. To him, the best thing being with N7 is that he get to travel the world –experiencing different cultures, food, architectural structures & singing for hundreds to thousands of people each night.
His music was influences by Hands down without a doubt, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Winans.