The TD Toronto Jazz Festival is full under way and last night’s opening concert with Roman GianArthur and headliner Janelle Monáe was definitely a great night out.
Roman GianArthur, a collaborator on Monáe’s album ArchAndroid, set the stage for what was to come. His music is still new to me but I was pleasantly surprised. For those of you who still have to hear of him or his music, here’s a video for you.
As far as Janelle Monáe, what is there to say really? She channels Prince,Michael Jackson and even James Brown in her performances. Her set list included “I want you back” (Jackson 5cover) as well as “Take me with you” (Prince cover) to the delight of young and the not-so-young in the audience. And that was in the first half of the concert. She had our full attention.
Her ArchOrchestra certainly added a whole other dimension to the concert. The orchestra includes percussion, a string quartet, bass, guitar, keyboard and back up vocals. All dressed in black & white, they surely complimented Monáe in style and talent.
Monáe had us dancing to R&B, funk, jazz, soul and everything in between! After nine songs, we were not ready for her and the ArchOrchestra to end. We didn’t get any new material in the encore either but wow, that was the best encore I’ve seen live in a long time! They covered “Goldfinger” (Shirley Basey cover) and had us on the floor with “Come Alive (War of the Roses).” Amazing? Yes, that and a whole lot of GREAT! If you ever get to hear Monáe live, don’t pass up the chance. It will certainly be a memorable night out.
For more information on other concerts at the festival, visit torontojazz.com.
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