Wind down to the wondrous sounds of Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin at these smooth jazz nights.
Ever wondered what it’s like to immerse yourself in the sounds of jazz legends? Well… Now’s your chance, because Jazz by Candlelight is coming to Birmingham with some incredible tributes in-store to some of the best musicians in history.
Kicking off the series is a wonderful tribute to the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, with some of the UK’s finest musicians set to team up for an evening of beautiful music with stunning candlelit surrounds, performing some of her historical tracks which made her the queen we know and love today. Guests can enjoy a spectacular tribute concert to the Queen Aretha Franklin, featuring top talent who’ll be performing some of the beloved artist and civil rights activist’s back catalogue in a very special, intimate setting. Expect to hear covers of ‘Natural Woman’, ‘Respect’, ‘I Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Think’ and ‘Rock Steady’, plus more of Franklin’s greatest hits which you may struggle to resist swaying in your seat to. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a history lesson on one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the world of jazz.
Not only that, but there’ll also be shows dedicated to the fantastic Nina Simone- giving fans the opportunity to hear her incredible compositions brought back to life right here in Birmingham. Initially aspiring to be a concert pianist, Simone went on to record more than 40 albums between 1958 and 1974 with a musical style that fused gospel and pop with classical music. Guests can enjoy some of Nina Simone’s best selling songs such as ‘I Put a Spell on You’, ‘Four Women’, ‘Mississippi Goddam’, ‘Young, Gifted and Black’, and of course, ‘Feeling Good’, which has been used in multiple movie soundtracks and adverts. Plus, each tribute concert will be dripping in candlelight, at one of Birmingham’s breathtaking venues, so jazz fans old and new alike can expect the concert to be a real treat for the senses.
If you’re more of a blues fan, then you’re in luck as you can listen to some of the hits from jazz legends Ray Charles and Nat King Cole. Often referred to as “The Genius”, Ray Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel styles, and became one of the first black musicians to be granted artistic control by a mainstream record company.
Nat King Cole was equally as influential; he recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts, acted in films and on television, performed on Broadway, and even became the first African-American man to host an American television series. Plus, his trio, which included bassist Wesley Prince and guitarist Oscar Moore, became the model for small jazz ensembles that followed.
After its success in Manchester, these bestselling tribute concerts from the Jazz by Candlelight series will be coming to Birmingham in Spring 2021. Grand Central Hall will be decorated to the nines with candles, providing an unbeatable ambience where you’ll be treated to gorgeous jazz compositions, prosecco, and an all round relaxing evening.