Now, as I think about it more, even if you went to the show NOT LIKING JASON MRAZ MUSIC there seems a strong likelihood that you walked out at the end a new fan of this guy.  Yes, he was that good.

Opening was Christina Perri, who came out with her dark shades on, ready to jump into her third time opening for Mraz on his ‘Tour is a Four Letter Word 2012’ Tour.

She came out excited to perform, saying early on that, as a teenager, she dreamed of opening for Jason Mraz. I’m not sure I believe it but given that my wife thought she was a very sincere young lady, I will give her the benefit of the doubt.

Her very feminine set /backdrop was a nice touch with flowers, candles, and twinkling lights on branches everywhere.  Adding to this nice visual vibe was Ms. Perri’s obvious beauty and similarly, her bass player. It was certainly an ‘easy on the eyes’ opening performance.

The talent she displayed was no real surprise given that she had been chosen to open for Jason Mraz. What was surprising were the multiple tattoos that stretched across her body randomly. I found myself thinking more about the stories behind each tat rather than focusing on her lyrics and music. She did regain my complete attention when she sat down at her pure white stand up piano and told the story about the song that changed her life…Jar of Hearts.

This song, her story, took her from rags to riches in a matter of weeks. She shared the song with one of the choreographers with the TV show ‘So you Think You Can Dance’.  Her song was subsequently used on an episode of the show, and the public’s immediate interest and demand for it convinced her to release the song independently. Over 100,000 people downloaded the single in the first two weeks and the rest is history.

Also surprising this night was the fact that the headliner, Jason Mraz, walked casually, leisurely out on the stage, barefooted, mic in hand to give a testimonial type introduction to his opener. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before at a concert of this magnitude. Wow, it really sounded like a kind of ‘infomercial’ for her, and I’ll bet it helped with the merch sales after her show. AND to help capitalize on the introduction she showed up at the merch tent and signed some autographs on purchased records.

Our headliner, still barefooted, came out for his set ready, willing, and very able to give the near capacity crowd a great night of all things Mraz.  I don’t think he needed much in the way of accompaniment; however, Jason showed up with a nine piece band included a three piece horn section that could hold their own with any other three in this very competitive industry.

I wouldn’t say that I came into this evening a true Jason Mraz fan. I was more someone who had enjoyed a song here and there. He was just vaguely on my radar screen. Well, that changed completely over the course of the next ninety minutes!

This guy, on the surface, appears laid back and casual but there was an undercurrent of energetic enthusiasm at all times. He took what he was doing very seriously, his song choices, sounds, moves were ‘on purpose’, and it showed.  This man can write a cool song about common life experiences and, over and over again, make us feel a special interconnectedness about it.   Often he sang about being caught up in life and/or love and the many facets, good and bad, of each.  At least once it felt to me like he was not singing to us, his audience, but instead inspired by his recent break up with long time girlfriend (assuming we can believe the internet), singer Tristan Prettyman.  He seemed tome to be putting his heart and soul out there for all to see.

Jason Mraz , if you didn’t hear me the first time, is the real deal and a class act. Not just as a singer/songwriter but as a caring human being that puts his money where is mouth is. This thoughtful artist is involved in several charity activities and gives meaningful amounts of money to many organizations, not just  lending his name to them. You can read more about his causes at    www.jasonmraz.com and if you’d like to read about one near and dear to my heart go to www.SpendingTimeEndingRett.com .

Another prominent band member was Mraz’s violinist, Merrit Lear. Besides playing her instrument, she was also a back-up vocalist. She had one big chance to shine, on the love song Lucky where she dueted with Mraz.

Before the evening was over he did a duet with his friend and long-time vioinist, Merrit Lear.  It was obviously a fan favorite hit, Lucky (I’m in love with my best friend) and one of the highlights of the evening for me.  Perri back out to sing the duet, 93 Million Miles (you can always come back home).

Besides this awesome overall musical experience and wonderful lighting; there were video screens full of bright, colorful graphics that fit perfectly the ambience of the night that Mraz created for us.  This classy performer also warned the audience that he was about to drop the F-Bomb in one of his songs, explaining that sometimes just no other word will do.  He said this heads up was for all the parents in the crowd who brought their children saying “might be a good time to take them out and buy them a drink”.

It would be easy to get caught up in showering more praise on Jason Mraz and his show.  However, since a picture is worth a thousand words, please check out the photo gallery.  There lies the rest of the story!

Until next time, please continue to try to keep it between the navigational beacons.

Dwc

PS Can anyone tell me what was painted on the side of Jason Mraz’s face?  And his bandmates’?