Chandler Center for the Arts staff sent a Q & A to Naturally 7, a music group that transforms their voices into actual human instruments - a distinct a cappella style they call "Vocal Play." Their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the musical maestro himself, Quincy Jones, to declare them, "The best a cappella group in the world!" For twenty years "Ricky" Lee Ricardo Cort, Rod Eldridge, Kelvin "Kelz" Mitchell, Sean Simmonds, Dwight Stewart, Roger Thomas and Warren Thomas have created music together and we can't wait to have them on the CCA mainstage. Naturally 7 is opening this double-billed performance for Hiroshima on Sunday, November 13, at 7:00 PM. You don't want to miss this performance!

Q. What or who is inspiring your work right now? And, why?

A. That’s a good question with the operative words being “right now”.  I think we are completely in our own lane so it not really any other musicians out there.  I think it’s life, the times we are in and what we’ve all recently been through that inspires.  Listening carefully to what people like, love and cherish in art, song, entertainment and what they can take with them for a lifetime. 

How did you get started with music?

Who knows when? From the womb! Lol.  Ok, I assume you mean professionally: I would say from the Church to an a cappella contest (1999 Harmony Sweepstakes) to the college market to the Global Market. We started singing in church – just what everyone understands as basic, traditional a cappella singing. 

How has your church background impacted your music throughout your career?

We didn’t really meet in any gospel choirs, but we sang in different a cappella groups in the same church circles (SDA denomination has a huge a cappella heritage). This religious upbringing and infinity for gospel music has kept our music lyrically inspirational and our journey spiritual.  Although we have never categorized ourselves as religious or Christian, that aspect is present in all our music and presentation. 

What made you choose a cappella?

As mentioned above, a cappella chose us.  We have never left it because we recognize it is our forte.  We have only dived deeper in to find our brand of it which we call “Vocal Play." It's the idea of mimicking (instruments) so that someone can hear it and recognize, ‘oh, that must be a guitar.’ It’s very, very specific.

What is your favorite thing to sing together?

We probably don’t have any song or style that is our favorite. We love Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, reggae, classical, doo wop and anything in between.  If we do too much of anything, we feel it’s time to move on!

What surprises you the most about music today?

How much talent is out in the world right now via so many platforms and yet popular music still lacks so much exploration!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I like where I am living right now just outside of Atlanta and close to a hub international airport. That’s important when you travel as much as we do.  But it would be nice to have a second home in Switzerland or Austria (incredible sights and scenery).  But I have also found that type of beauty in the States such as Colorado!  I am a New Yorker at heart so wouldn’t mind a 3rd spot there. 

If you weren’t a musician, what other profession would you want to have?

Teacher most likely or motivational speaker.  Something as a public speaker sharing knowledge. 

What have you been listening to lately? Do you have any recommendations for us?

• R&B.  – Silk Sonic
• Hip Hop. – Childish Gambino
• Rock. – Cold Play
• Gospel. – Jonny & Mali and Tye Tribbett
• Christian. – For King and Country
• Classical. – Soundtrack of Crimsontide
• Throwback. – Jacksons “Triumph”
• Roger Thomas (Musical Director)

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