43 Acts, 24 Duets: Jazz In July Streams Live All Month From The Esplanade

Jazz In July 2020 features class acts such as (from left to right) Nicole Duffell, Christy Smith, Rani Singam and Chok Kerong (Credit: The Esplanade)

A lull continues to linger over the music scene as the city plods through Phase Two, with events remaining at a standstill and performance venues caught in a chokehold. The Esplanade, arguably the most iconic of the latter in Singapore, has also been a victim in all of this with many of its events cancelled in the past few months. Fortunately, this July has seen a mild reawakening of the durian-shaped institution, with its ongoing Jazz In July series that will appease connoisseurs of the age-old genre.

The full lineup of the series this year (Credit: The Esplanade)

The Esplanade has unveiled the return of its annual jazz series that brings together virtuosos and wizards of the free-form art, a staggering number of 43 of them in total. Happening every day at 8pm (from 8 to 31 July) at The Esplanade Concourse – it’s the first time the venue has allowed live performances, without audiences, since its closure – these performances are streamed live on the Esplanade Offstage and Esplanade Facebook pages so you tune into them from the comfort of your living room. The lineup is a talented mix of jazz savants familiar to the scene, including the likes of Chok Kerong, Aya Sekine, Aaron James Lee, Christy Smith, Audrey Tengkey, Rani Singam, Mei Sheum and dozens of others.

Other veteran performers include (from left to right) Euntaek Kim, Audrey Tengkey, Anne Weerapass and Samuel Cheah (Credit: The Esplanade)

One engaging tenet about jazz is that it’s organic. It’s a flexible genre that listens and adapts, and you can witness this as its performers effortlessly communicate with each other through music, making magic as they explore each piece. Jazz In July highlights this key interaction by sorting these 43 participants in 24 innovative pairings, laid out in duets that feature both vocal accompaniments and instrumental journeys. For viewers, that means the formula is always changing – you might spot a pianist paired with a drummer, or a saxophonist in sync with a double bassist – making for a thrilling, tag-team performance that changes daily. Expect a masterclass from these maestros.

The Esplanade presents: Jazz In July 2020, 8-31 July 2020, 8pm. For full information on the lineup, visit the official website. Each video will be available for 24 hours after streaming.