The vocal group 7th Ave, which combines elements of pop, swing, rockabilly, country and a little theater, will bring its innovative arrangements to Cortez for a concert on March 28.
Brought together in 2016 by Chris Rupp, the founder of the a cappella group Home Free, 7th Ave is a new vocal quartet that is ready to forge a new identity in the music world. Each member has a unique musical and performance background, allowing for exciting possibilities.
The concert is part of the SouthWest Colorado Concerts series. It begins at 7 p.m.
Members of 7th Ave include the founder and director Chris Rupp, who was born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota, where he spent his life surrounded by music with his mother as a professional musician. After graduating from Mankato State University, he spent the next 10 years teaching privately and working to build Home Free into the vocal sensation that won NBC’s “Sing-Off” competition in 2013. Home Free’s arrangement of Hunter Hayes’ “I Want Crazy” helped earn the group $100,000 and a recording contract with Sony.
Rupp also has collaborated with artists such as Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys and others and has released his own solo album.
Triston Rupp comes from the same musical Rupp family. Her degree from Mankato State is in musical theater, and she now pursues singing, acting and dancing in Los Angeles. She has been seen on the television series “Criminal Minds” and “Shark Tank” as well as the film “About Last Night,” which starred Kevin Hart.
Adam Bastien, from a small town in Michigan, began singing at the age of 12, mostly in the form of duets with Celine Dion CDs. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has traveled the world as a singer on cruise ships and has sung with several a cappella vocal groups including The Alleycats, Blue Jupiter and Home Free.
At this writing, the fourth member of the is yet to be decided.
For further information about 7th Ave and the performance they will present, please visit swcoloradoconcerts.org or contact Julie Ayers at 970-882-1284 or Eric Wilson at 970-739-8508.
