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The Birmingham Sunlights

The Birmingham Sunlights developed their four-part a cappella style within the Church of Christ, where no musical instruments are permitted. Three brothers, James, Barry and Steve Taylor founded the group and are joined by Reginald Speights and Wayne Williams (replaced by current member Bill Graves) in performing well-known hymns as well as original pieces. Upon becoming aware of the rich Jefferson County gospel quartet tradition they sought training from a senior quartet, the Sterling Jubilees, to learn songs traditional to the area.Besides appearing at numerous festivals across the nation, such as the National Folk Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts, the Sunlights toured Africa, performed extensively in the Caribbean, throughout Europe and Australia under the auspices of the U. S.

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Watch Past Performances

The Birmingham Sunlights 12/7/05: The Birmingham Sunlights

An African American gospel quartet formed in 1979 by music director James Alex Taylor, The Birmingham Sunlights performs the preserved art of unaccompanied gospel harmony singing, which has an especially strong heritage in the group’s native Jefferson County, Alabama.

The Birmingham Sunlights

An African American gospel quartet formed in 1979 by music director James Alex Taylor, The Birmingham Sunlights performs the preserved art of unaccompanied gospel harmony singing, which has an especially strong heritage in the group’s native Jefferson County, Alabama.

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