A Jade Of All Trades
Posted on June 22, 2009
Filed Under CULTURAL MUSINGS, LIVE SHOWS, MUSIC REVIEWS
Place: Santos, NYC | Open Party
Subject: Jade
On an evening that ideally complements a blanket and a movie, there I stood in front of the stage waiting for Jade to perform. The first time I saw her live, I must admit her songs left a spell on me that has yet been broken. In awe by her mighty vocals, I was immediately taken by her aura and for that reason this gloomy night seemed to linger auspiciously. Although the rain and the cold did not inspire much promise, NYC still agreed that something magical would happen. About 10:30pm the TRACE team arrived, ready to record this spectacular evening, but even more expecting, and indeed we experienced the magic. Within minutes the initial group of 30 party-goers became an eclectic crowd of 200 hipster fairies, socially fluttering together. Instantly the venue’s (Santos) vacant decor transformed into a magic castle where Cyclopes and Sorcerers played the role of security and bartenders. Literally a disco ball in the shape of a heart sparkled over us with meaning, and the natural chatter vanished underneath Q-tip’s funky turntables, which instead gave our bodies a reason to converse with the music. Maybe it was the strobing lights or the thick smoke, but as I scanned for my reflection by the bar mirror, amongst it all, I barely identify who I was. A paraelle feeling to OZ, we traded our admission to become apart of this mystical experience, and anxiously, we waited to hear from our special guest…
Jade walked onto the stage, garbed in a sleek black onesie, like a sultry magician and accompanied by the wizard sounds of J. Carmelli on the guitar. She decided to turn up the temperature to meet her level of enchantment and opened with a new tune. Her voice and sway of her arms captivated her listeners and allured them to pay closer attention. Composed yet playful, she diligently tapped her feet as if its rhythm synced with the pulses of our hearts; we were taken. She tossed out notes as gifts for our ears; we received them and anticipated more. With a steady pace she tamed the Wolf, whom echoes illustrated colorful splashes of 3D energy. Then she hypnotized the crowd with Take The Hit, as her voice reigned inside the place. On the incline, we arrived at Up & Out. She challenged the booming bass but never lost vocal restraint. We twinkled from the pixie dust that flickered from her fingertips when she snapped to the beat and we were compelled to do the same. Angelically, she concludes in humble form on her knees, as to articulate that she was grateful and merely a personified instrument of something bigger than her body.
To witness Jade perform is evidently a magical experience. It is a vivacity that coalesces charisma, power, and liberty. The way her voice playfully trickled over her songs and its direct relationship with her movements showed evidence that her music orchestrates from her heart; her breath, her voice, her limbs, and her pulse all play together. Just like magic her presence inspired everyone. Something about her was celestially charming. Her music represented our individual fairy-tale dreams of fairies, wizards, and love. It instilled forgiveness and optimism. It gave us hope that the unexplained do exist. That magic rested inside her faithful connection to music, which somehow created a supernatural sound that pleasantly invaded the audience. We could not label it, but we -in some way- identified with it. Encompassed with the ability to stimulate our own mojos, we became mystical enough to alter our own moods and emotions. Just like when I first saw her on stage. Collectively, as force of creative misfits, no longer did our minds ponder on the gloomy weather. Under her voice, we were Open to the magical possibilities of the night.
Words By: Toni Burke
To hear songs by Jade like, Wolf, Take The Hit, and Up & Out, download a free copy of ‘It’s My Heart, Cookie’ (debut EP). Also for concert and music updates, check out her MySpace Music Page www.myspace.com/jadeismusic.
[…] you don’t have to take my word for it. Visit Trace212 to read “A Jade of All Trades” for their review of Jade’s Santos performance. Maybe then you’ll believe in […]