February is month of romance and love was in the air at the “Jazz Café: Let’s Fall in Love” presented by the Southwestern College Jazz Vocal Ensemble. A spark of romantic energy electrified Mayan Hall with some of the best love songs ever composed.
Director Tracy Burklund-Becker’s black dress was silky and elegant, and so was her group. She opened the show delicately singing a mash up of “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love,” accompanied by a wonderful rhythm section. Performers seated two or three per table conjured an amorous atmosphere. Lovers in Paris, sat in view of the Eiffel Tower, with a single rose in a vase. The band was magnifique, highlighted by bassist Kyle Bayquen, who provided thunder down under.
Jon-Anthoni Nieves went looking for love in the audience and handed a pretty lady a red rose. He guided her to the stage, singing “Fever,” Peggy Lee’s 1956 classic.
Victoria Ortiz, impressed the audience with her soothing “A Ghost of a Chance,” and Mitchell Horne connected with “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Erick Jimenez and Alex Lira dueted on “Strangers in the Night” as dancers swayed in the background, washing the audience in nostalgia.
“My Funny Valentine” was a rousing finale by the group that truly had hearts pumping. On this night, for lovers it was easy to love the singers of the Jazz Vocal Ensemble. They poured out their hearts.