When tickets for Norah Jones’s November performance at Eastman Theatre went on sale on Sep. 9, fans went wild and the show sold out in less than 38 minutes.
Three years have passed since nine-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Norah Jones last came to Rochester.
However, on Friday, Nov. 6, Jones came back to Kodak Hall to perform for a sold-out show that did not disappoint. Being the multi-faceted and extraordinarily talented songstress that she is, Jones put on a beautiful display of soulfulness and versatility on the stage of Eastman Theatre. The show was definitely worth the wait, for she made it seem like she was singing in a small coffee shop rather than a grand theater hall.
Norah Jones first emerged in the music industry with the release of her album “Come Away with Me” in February 2002. This self-described “moody little record” of hers introduced a singular new voice to the world, eventually growing into a global phenomenon. Not long after, she swept the 2003 Grammy Awards, which triggered a paradigm shift away from the prevailing synthetic pop music of the time. From then on, Jones has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums: “Feels like Home” (2004), “Not Too Late” (2007), “The Fall” (2009) and “Little Broken Hearts” (2012).
Despite her great successes, Jones continues to perform humbly, featuring her raw musical talent in a sincere and almost vulnerable way. She shares the stage and shows off the talents of her fellow musicians and other artists. The concert this past weekend opened with Swedish born singer and songwriter Alberta Cross. Since 2005, Cross has been the songwriting project of Petter Ericson Stakee; he formed the band in London before relocating to its current home of New York City where it dedicates its music to a mix of Indie and Alternative Rock. After its performance, the anxious energy of the crowd could not be ignored. Aware of Jones’ soon-to-be presence on stage, audience members chatted about their favorite songs while waiting for the intermission to end.
Backed by the band The Candles, Jones showed her range as a musician during the show, playing a plethora of different instruments including piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard, while simultaneously singing. The pace of the concert started sultry and slow but then evolved into a rock and roll show as guitarist Jason Roberts ripped into a furious jam, which was one of the highlights of the night. Soon after, the band exited the stage leaving Jones alone on the piano with just a single spotlight from above. It was the quintessential Norah Jones experience that so many came to see. She sang beautifully in such a deep and genuine manner that one can’t help but feel emotionally moved by her songs. With merely her voice and piano, Jones had the power to fill every inch of Kodak Hall with her haunting melodic ability, singing “Miriam,” “Don’t Know Why” and “Turn Me On.” These performances gave devoted audience members more than enough reason to cheer and applaud. Jones closed with one of her most beloved songs “Come Away with Me.”
The crowd clapped along as Jones played a Tom Waits cover and as she finished the song it rose to its feet with a standing ovation. Jones returned for an encore along with her band and finished the night with the song “Sunrise.”
Ortego is a member of the class of 2019.
