The Birmingham Seven - Just Passing Through (CD)

Release Date: 07/15/22

A straight-ahead jazz septet patterned after the small groups of the hard-bop era that plays with an intensity and chemistry that is hard to find!

GENRE: Jazz/Jazz Septet

COMPOSERS: Daniel Western, Gary Wheat, Rob Alley, Jon Noffsinger

Rob Alley - Trumpet

Jon Noffsinger - Alto Saxophone

Gary Wheat - Tenor Saxophone

Daniel Western - Baritone Saxophone

Tom Wolfe - Acoustic & Electric Guitars

Chris Kozak - Double & Electric Basses

Michael Glaser - Drum Set

The Birmingham Seven (B7) is a straight-ahead jazz septet patterned after the small groups of the hard-bop era. Initially, the group's repertoire consisted of transcriptions and adaptations from historic recordings by jazz icons such as Duke Ellington, Oliver Nelson, Lee Morgan, and Sun Ra. It has since expanded to include original arrangements of jazz standards as well as new compositions. Although rooted in tradition, a typical B7 set will include a wide variety of jazz styles ranging from gospel- and blues-inspired soul jazz to bebop burners, from lush ballads to odd-metered funk, from hard swinging to straight, and even some free jazz sprinkled in from time to time. Their music features virtuosic solo improvisations along with clever arrangements. This is their first recording!

The members of the Birmingham Seven are veteran performers who have worked together in various local, regional, and national ensembles for over 25 years. They began performing together as the Birmingham Seven in 2006 and started recording together in 2012. Not only are they professional colleagues but they are also good friends. This creates a unique familial rapport in their music.

Equally at home on club, festival, auditorium, and/or concert hall stages, the Birmingham Seven has performed for wide and diverse audiences across Alabama, just now 'taking it out'!