Jessie Ware performs at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Photo By: Anthony Washington
It is not often that one encounters a new artist that blows you away the first time you hear them perform live. A new artist that is humble, charming, and vastly talented. On Tuesday, January 15, I had the fortune to see such an artist perform when Jessie Ware made her debut in the nations capital.
The young British singer-songwriter brought her crisp soulful voice and solid band to a packed house at the 9:30 Club. Ms. Ware is currently touring the states in support of her debut album Devotion which was released in the UK in August of 2012. According to Ms. Ware, the US debut of her album was pulled and will be re-released this spring with the possibility of additional songs being added to the album.
For an artist who is on her first major tour, without an album released in the US, she sure has a dedicated following. Throughout the night the audience showed their appreciation for what they were hearing and seeing with cheers, shouts of “I love you”, and erupting as Ms. Ware announced each song she was about to play. In return, Ms. Ware showed the crowd at the 9:30 Club the same appreciation by performing her entire debut album as well as some covers and graciously thanking the audience for their generosity and support.
The performance highlight of the night had to be Ms. Ware’s performance of “No To Love”. The song started off like it normally does, but then Ms. Ware and her band smoothly mixed in elements of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You”. Amazing.
Another nice highlight of the night was when Ms. Ware talked about a request that she received via her record company from a fan who asked if she could play a song and dedicate it to his girlfriend. She did so without question.
In addition to being humble, charming, and vastly talented, Ms. Ware ia very comfortable on stage. She converses with the audience in between songs, she lets her hair down and starts dancing if she is feeling the moment, and she is very open about what she is thinking at the moment. When an artist makes you feel like you are just hanging out in their living room with them while they perform, they have something special. That is what it felt like during the entirety of Jessie Ware’s performance at the 9:30 Club. I now understand why she is a MTV Emerging Artist for 2013.
Ms. Ware continues her tour in the states until January 24 then she heads to Australia, Europe and back to the UK. If she is coming to your city, make a point to get to her show. You will not be disappointed.
Lastly, catch Jessie Ware on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon tonight being backed by the legendary Roots crew.
Enjoy the photos!
More Photos:
Jessie Ware at the 9:30 Club – Images by Anthony Washington
