Candlelight Is Shining Bright On Jazz Greats And Soul Queens

Listen up jazz cats, it's time to R-E-S-P-E-C-T at upcoming tribute concerts to famed jazz musicians, singers and all-time music greats.

Marco Ruiz - Staff Writer • May 7, 2022

stage with heaps of candles and singer with outstretched arms supported by string quartet — Image: Supplied / @fernando_sigma

In Auckland, Candlelight concerts have honoured classical music greats and will soon be paying tribute to rock classics and dance legends. However, one of the surefire favourites of the glowing series will certainly be Candlelight Jazz—a selection of candlelit concerts that just hit different.

Unlike the traditional Candlelight concerts that feature classically-trained musicians wowing audiences with their skilled musical precision, the majority—if not all—of Candlelight Jazz performances feature jazz bands. Very good jazz bands. The musicians are supremely talented and recreate the feel of a jazz club so that you can get swept up in the intimate atmosphere of the illuminated evening.

Take a look at all the Candlelight concerts in Auckland here, or see below for upcoming jazz tributes to musical legends.

string quartet on stage surrounded by hundreds of candles

Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more Jazz Greats

Jazz has had an impressive and lasting effect on all kinds of music over the past 100 years. From Rock to R&B, Hip-Hop and even Pop, they’ve all been influenced by the improvisation of jazz. The genre just hits different and is part of the reason why so many of its greats are revered, sampled and still played on the radio.

At Candlelight Jazz on Friday 13 May and Saturday 4 June, Clo and the Blue Trio will take to the stage to perform renditions of classic songs from the likes of Nina Simone, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf, Amy Winehouse and more. You’ll be singing ‘Fever’, ‘Feelin Good’ and ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing’ with vocalist Clo Chaperon.

Hit up Candlelight Jazz ‘At Last’ in May and June.

Candlelight Jazz: Aretha Franklin

Pay ‘Respect’ to the Queen: the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Franklin’s career spanned six decades that gave rise to 17 top-ten pop singles, 20 number-one R&B singles and 18 Grammy awards among so many other accolades and accomplishments.

Aretha Franklin’s classics, from ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ to ‘Chain Of Fools’ and ‘Midnight Train To Georgia’, will be covered by Becks and the Epiphanies, one of Auckland’s finest jazz bands. You’ll also get to hear ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T’, ‘Don’t Play That Song’ and ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’ reverberate and lift you on up high on Saturday 21 May.

Don’t ‘Think’ about getting tickets to Aretha, just do.

Candlelight Jazz: Best Of Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and More

Michael and the Wayfarers take to the stage at Holy Trinity Cathedral for a glowing night of jazz classics from the likes of Ol’ Blue Eyes and the Genius of Soul plus many others. Songs include “Night And Day”, “What Is This Thing Called Love?”, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, “Georgia On My Mind” and “Hit The Road Jack”.

Get tickets to surround yourself with candles and sing “Too Darn Hot” on Friday 24 June.

close up of candles with people in the background watching concert

Keep an eye on this space for more upcoming concerts celebrating some of the most iconic singer-songwriters and musicians as well as the genre of music that has had an undeniable effect on music this past century.

Snap up your Candlelight Jazz tickets below.

Please note: Images used are not of Candlelight Jazz concerts.