If you see Catherine Summers presents ‘Jazz Reimagined’ (Pop Meets 6-piece Jazz Band), you will be in for a suave and sophisticated evening. Set in the beautiful Lamont’s Bishops House under festoon lighting, the audience is treated to an evening of smooth jazz while they wine and dine; it is the perfect FRINGE WORLD date-night show.

Catherine Summers and her band perform pop songs that have been reworked into the style of jazz (think Postmodern Jukebox vibes). The overall performance demonstrates the talent and creativity of the musicians, to be able to rearrange famous songs into another genre.

Catherine Summers, the solo vocalist, looked the part. Dressed to the nines in a ballgown and diamonds, Summers added another layer of elegance to the evening. In between songs, Summers chatted to the audience and introduced the next number. While she didn’t intend to engage in any kind of comedy, she was clearly relaxed and enjoying her time on stage, which made her an enjoyable performer to watch.

Summers’ voice is beautiful to listen to, however, I felt as though she was holding back a little. The performance was entertaining, but I was waiting for something more to really give the show wow factor. As a result, I didn’t feel particularly gripped by the performance and many audience members lapsed into chatting, but at a dinner and drinks show like this one, this was not necessarily a bad thing.

For those looking to get into jazz, this show is a great place to start. Every song played was instantly recognisable, bringing nostalgia and charm to the music. It is a lengthy show (two acts with a 30-minute interval) and it is a slow-paced show, so it may not be suitable for everyone. But if you are wanting to give jazz a try, or are looking for a new date-night idea, check out Catherine Summers presents ‘Jazz Reimagined’ (Pop Meets 6-piece Jazz Band).