Candlelight: Tribute to Jazz Legends by Fever Up

It is so amazing to see more opportunities to get out slowly opening up. I have no idea how I stumbled across this event, but I am so glad I did. Fever Up produces events in cities around the world and Candlelight: Tribute to Jazz Legends was one of several candlelight musical concerts they are offering in Vancouver - the others focused on classical music. As much as I do enjoy a classical concert, jazz is my preference.

This was an easy, relaxed and just the right length event.  COVID protocols were in place to make sure everyone could enjoy their evening safely.  The day was beautiful so our short stand in line allowed us to soak in a few rays.  The doors opened at 7 p.m. sharp. Everyone entering had to wear a mask, have their temperature taken and sign a waiver.  Then we were all offered something to drink from a wide selection of cider, wine, beer and a few cocktails.  

Next we entered the performance room. The ambiance was stunning. The room was darkened. They left an open space for the jazz quartet to perform in and placed chairs in twos around the outside of the room.  In between the performers and the audience was a sea of battery operated candles, with some flickering realistically.  A single candle was placed by each set of chairs as well. The effect was so real, I was nervous for a moment about the one beside my chair.  

What a transformation!

When I finally accepted these were truly battery operated flameless candles, my next thought was how long it would take to turn all those candles on at the start of the night and off at the end of the night. It really transformed a fairly ordinary room into an enchanted venue to listen to jazz. Well done. A labor that I deeply appreciated. 

Just check out this sea of flickering lights. Beautiful!

Before the show began they let us know we needed to keep our masks on except when taking a sip of our drink, to not take any flash photography in the darkened room and, of course, to turn our phones on silent. For the first time in forever, everyone listened and cooperated. Not one person's phone made a sound. Not a single flash lit up the room. 

Left to right - Aiken, Zipersky, Minckler and Poole

The program for the evening was available for viewing by scanning a QR code. The featured artists this evening were the Malcolm Aiken Quartet - Malcolm Aiken (trumpet), Max Zipursky (piano), Wynston Minckler and Joe Poole (drums). The song list ended up different from the one shown online when I booked our tickets, so here is what we were given. If they varied from this as well, I was honestly to caught up in just listening to remember - 

• Summertime (George Gershwin)
• Round Midnight (Thelonious Monk)
• The Nearness of You (Hoagy Carmichael)
• Mood Indigo (Duke Ellington)
• Take Five (Paul Desmond)
• Body and Soul (Johnny Green)
• My Baby Just Cares for ME (Walter Donaldson
• What a Wonderful World (Bob Theil/George Weiss)
• L.O.V.E (Bert Kaemfert and Milt Gabler)

This is how you create a stunning stage with candles.

There were so many things I loved about this evening.  The music was wonderful.  Aiken not only played, but acted as host, taking the time to talk between each song. He shared their joy being back in one room playing together, how great it was to perform in front of a live audience, and a bit about the history of the jazz at the time and the artist behind each of the songs they shared. And I loved each musician had a song on the playlist that gave them a featured moment to shine. In the end, the evening had the feel of a personal experience shared between the musicians and the audience.  And that's exactly what I love best about small venue performances.

Last but not least is a personal note from me.  I so appreciated the musicians recognizing the size of the venue and how close the audience was. They adjusted their volume to perfectly fit the setting. I never once felt overpowered by the sound of their performance, yet I never once missed a single note palyed.  That is not easy to achieve and in my mind a mark of true professionals.  It takes knowledge and practice and a respect for the audience. Kudos!

To check out other upcoming events by Fever Up, go to their website at www.feverup.com and find your city in the drop down menu.