Cécile McLorin Salvant at Skopje Jazz Festival

Cécile McLorin Salvant
Skopje Jazz Festival
Skopje, Macedonia
October 17, 2024

Cecile McLorin Salvant, a vocalist celebrated as one of the finest talents in contemporary jazz, brought an air of enchantment to the opening night of the Skopje Jazz Festival. With her effortless blend of jazz, blues and theatrical storytelling, the Grammy-winning artist captivated the audience with a performance that was intimate yet grand in scope. Salvant's powerful voice, razor-sharp wit and impeccable stage presence turned the night into a masterclass in vocal artistry and emotional engagement.

As she took the stage at the MOB venue, Salvant seemed immediately in sync with her surroundings. Accompanied by a trio of musicians who played with seamless cohesion, the night unfolded with a quiet intensity. Without the need for sheet music, her bandmates followed her every move, creating an organic, almost conversational interplay between Salvant's voice and the instruments. From the moment she opened with "Nothing Like You Has Ever Been Seen," her control over her voice and the emotions of the room was evident. Her effortless transitions between playfulness and vulnerability set the tone for an evening of rich, emotional depth.

Salvant's performance of "Ever Since The One I Love Has Been Gone" was especially moving, her interpretation of the song both heart-wrenching and intimate. The depth she brought to the lyrics made the audience feel the weight of loss and longing. She followed this with "Some People," offering a playful contrast, with her expressive facial gestures adding a layer of humor that made the song all the more engaging.

The chemistry between Salvant and her band was palpable throughout the evening. On "Nobody," she had excellent communication with the audience, who joined her by shouting "Nobody," making the experience feel like a shared moment of joy and community. This song, in particular, showcased her ability to connect with her listeners on a personal level. The venue, though grand in size, felt smaller under the spell of her artistry. Salvant's vocal control is extraordinary, moving effortlessly between playful scats, soaring highs, and velvety lows, all while maintaining a sense of spontaneity. Her phrasing was meticulous yet free, allowing her to explore different moods with each song. She is an artist who refuses to be boxed into any one genre, and this performance reflected that beautifully.

Throughout the evening, Salvant played with the concept of intimacy, drawing the audience into her world with a mixture of humor, irony, and vulnerability. She frequently addressed the audience between songs, sharing anecdotes and thoughts that added layers to the music without diminishing its emotional impact. Her facial expressions and body language were as much a part of the performance as her singing, shifting from sly grins to soulful gazes as she interpreted each piece. In "If A Girl Isn't Pretty," Salvant's wit shone through, as she toyed with the lyrics, bringing out the song's irony and social commentary with ease. Her interpretations never felt forced, each song unfolding naturally, carried by her deep understanding of the material. When she moved into the folk-blues classic "John Henry," Salvant's voice took on a powerful, almost raw quality, fitting the weight and history of the song. Her ability to shift between genres and styles so seamlessly was a testament to her versatility as an artist.

Midway through the set, she moved into a series of songs that showcased her range both vocally and emotionally. Salvant often inhabits the characters in her songs, breathing life into them in a way that makes each performance feel deeply personal. She is not afraid to be theatrical, often leaning into the dramatic or the ironic to highlight the story within the song. This theatricality was evident in her playful engagement with the audience, as she introduced certain numbers with a glint of humor, challenging the audience to think differently about the themes she was exploring. As the set drew to a close with "Ghost Song," Salvant seemed to pull the audience deeper into her world, the haunting melodies and atmospheric arrangement casting a spell over the room.

For the encore, Salvant began improvising a cappella on what sounded like a Middle Eastern minor mode, eventually segueing into a stunning rendition of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights." Her voice filled the venue, reaching new heights as she sang, "Heathcliff, it's me, I'm Cathy, I've come home," sending chills through the audience. As she sang the haunting refrain of Bush's "Breathing," delivered with exquisite precision and emotion, the room hanging on her every word. "Breathing in... breathing out," she repeated a cappella, each time quieter than the last, "in... out... in... out," creating a quiet tension in the room that held everyone's attention until the final note.

The second encore, "Somehow I Never Could Believe," performed as a duet with pianist Sullivan Fortner, was a tender and reflective ending to the night, showcasing her incredible range and ability to inhabit the emotional core of every song she sings.

Cécile McLorin Salvant's performance at the Skopje Jazz Festival was nothing short of extraordinary. Her ability to merge musical mastery with storytelling, all while maintaining a deep connection with her audience, made for an unforgettable evening. For those lucky enough to be in the venue that night, it was a performance that will not soon be forgotten.

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