Guitar to Elevate the Soul

On a clear Autumn night in Fairhope, in that pretty downtown where so many like to walk, you might just see a crowd spilling into a street. If you walk closer, you'll hear the gorgeous sound of flamenco/jazz fusion style guitar floating across the air. If you step into that crowd, and make your way to the front, you'll see two guitar players, brothers, jamming with a professional caliber that leaves you standing in awe. Flamenco is some of the most difficult guitar one can play, and it generally takes years to master. How about a fusion with jazz? Even more difficult…right? Should take years to accomplish. But there are no grey hairs on Noah and Josh, the two guitarists of the group called Roman Street. In fact, Noah greatly anticipates Josh graduating from Auburn University so that Roman Street can tour. And Josh and Noah will have some tour. 

For Roman Street is in great demand. If you hit their website calendar you'll see a slew of events, ranging from private to larger. 

And what's more, they've got an unbelievable opportunity coming up in January...”Playing with Jesse Cook is a dream for me,” says Noah when asked about his upcoming event. He's the older brother who effortlessly sports a Jeff Buckley look. Noah is ecstatic about playing with Cook at the Saenger on the 21st. Jesse Cook is a brilliant flamenco guitarist, having just won two Juno awards last year (Canadian Grammies).  He has also performed with Charlotte Church on the Tonight Show, and has even opened for Ray Charles and B.B. King, among others. One wonders, after hearing Noah and Josh play, how long it will be before Noah and Josh are touring and winning awards like Cook. 

Then there is Josh, who rocks a j.crew look. He'll greet you with a lot of energy, and a quick handshake, full of warmth and sincere kindness. Equally excited about playing with Cook, Josh has the responsibility of finishing school while balancing Roman Street's growing popularity. While it might not always be easy to gig and do school, Josh has a talent for balancing things, for when he and Noah play, they've got that something that syncs in a way that is rare. Perhaps it's that they are brothers. Maybe it's something more. 

Maybe that something more is their faith, a clear and important component to their values, and to their playing. With all of the challenges and pitfalls in the music scene, it could be this strength that keeps them moving up and in the right direction. While many, unfortunately, fall upon harder times with success, Roman Street is moving to the top with their faith.

It’s best put in Josh’s own words:

It is difficult to adequately express how central our faith is to not only our playing, but everything we do. God saw fit to bless us with musical ability, and it is our responsibility to use these gifts to honor him and further His kingdom. We want our music to serve as a reflection of the love and joy God has bestowed on our lives.

And we cannot wait for Roman Street to seize the sanctuary stage at vivace. 

Get ready for it.