Last Friday, Carnival audiences rocked on the Midway to the music of the Carnegie Mellon band Sa’J 7. The band performed under the Mainstage tent as part of a procession of various local bands. The warm weather brought many people out, and members of the audience ranged from older people from the community to students from the University of Pittsburgh and CMU. The energetic show brought the audience to their feet, clapping and dancing to the band's five original songs as well as an encore.

Sa’J 7 is an eclectic seven-member group whose name represents the seven types of music that influence them: hip hop, R&B, funk, blues, jazz, gospel, and rock.

Band leader Tim Lowe stated, “I would describe our music as ‘Hip-Funk.’ I believe that we are creating a new genre of music.”

The members are influenced by a wide range of musicians, including greats like Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Charlie Parker, Earth, Wind, & Fire, John P. Key, Carter Beauford, and Sean McCurley. The group produces its sound with a five instrument combo and two singer/rappers. The group consists of Christina Acosta, Nikhil Shetty, Diana Henderson, Tim Lowe, Sean McGarill, Michael Casey Rehm, and Ronald White, a diverse mix of people that hold majors in everything from architecture to electrical and computer engineering. All of the members have been playing their respective instruments for years. Although some members are busy seniors, the group manages to rehearse at least four hours per week.

The show opened with an introductory snippet from the song made famous in the Rocky movies, “Gonna Fly Now,” leading into “Rock and Roll with Me.” Next was a grooving version of “Breathe In,” followed by “Let’s Make Love.” Lead singer Christina Acosta entertained the audience with her energetic dancing and singing of the hook of each song, as well as some of the verses. Finally, the band closed their show with a rousing number called “Shake It,” which was influenced by a Latin style and in which Acosta, for a change, not only sang, but rapped as well. The audience’s response to the band was enthusiastic and animated. The songs were all upbeat and had many moments for individual members to shine in a solo or duet.

The members of Sa’J 7 joined forces only earlier this year and went on to achieve many objectives in a relatively short time. In addition to winning first place in Battle of the Bands at the Underground last semester, Sa’J 7 also competed on PCTV 21’s “Make the Cut,” a Pittsburgh takeoff of American Idol, and secured a third place standing. Sa’J 7 earned second place in the WAMO Talent Showcase. Future performances include the "Free Mumia” Concert on May 1. The band’s major plans at the moment involve finishing the recording of a demo to send out to record labels.

Editor’s Note: Sa’J 7 member Diana M. Henderson is a contributor to The Carnegie Pulse.

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