LEFT: Anuschka Wright on mic with Adrian D'Aguilar and Ralph Munnings; MIDDLE TOP: Naomi Taylor; MIDDLE RIGHT: Angel Reckley; and audience.

Nassau, Bahamas - The second annual Jazz In Bloom Concert with the theme “Ignited” attracted a great audience in spite of the rainfall on the evening of June 15th. Organizers were shocked to see people arriving as early as 6pm, a full hour before the cocktail hour, in anticipation of the night's event. When one attendee was asked why he came so early, his reply was “I made the mistake of coming late last year so I wanted to make sure to get the first seat of the first row after the Reserved seating... I don’t want to miss anything!"

The Jazz in Bloom team and supporters alike were fired up from the very start and excited about what was to come! As guests were welcomed and ushered into the reception area they partook in a lovely spread of hors d’ouvres and complementary beverage including a special sampling of the night's featured wine, KWV. While attendees enjoyed the food, wine and other drinks; they also had the pleasure of viewing the displays of this year's artisans while the recording of last year's Jazz in Bloom concert played throughout the hall.

When the time came for the main event, with everyone seated in anticipation, the show was hot from start! Simply put... Ignited! Jazz in Bloom's group of musicians kicked things off with a grooving rendition of "Samba de Orpheus." Ms. Jazz In Bloom herself, Anuschka Wright, was then introduced and welcomed to the stage by a warm round of applause. She pulled the audience in immediately with a swinging standard, "Teach Me Tonight" and after the applause settled she then happily introduced the first guest vocalist, Naomi Taylor. Naomi dedicated her performance of "These Foolish Things" to all the parents playing double roles of both mother and father. The crowd was wrapped in her heartfelt rendition of the timeless tune.

Anuschka Wright

Just before the short intermission Jazz in Bloom’s MC, JD Stuart, presented the audience with a chance to win some fabulous door prizes. One special prize went to the oldest father in attendance, receiving a signature LuCairi watch donated by Bahamian watch designer himself, Giorgio Knowles.

For the next set, Anuschka returned in a new gown, new hair style and ready to bring the house down. She started this time with a tune she'd worked on during her private study in University with vocal coach, Madeleine Thériault. A cover of Sarah Vaughn's version of a Horace Silver tune, ”Doodlin”. The crowd was more than impressed and showered her with a rousing round of applause. After her next song, which was a tasteful ballad of Jazz Standard, "Easy Living", she welcomed the next vocal guest, Angel Reckley. Turning the energy back up to 10, Angel delighted the audience with her performance of "On the Sunnyside of the Street". Riding the wave Angel stirred up; Anuschka came back...first with a creative arrangement of "Sway" then ended the show with a super swinging version of "What Is This Thing Called Love".

At this point, it is fair to say that young Anuschka Wright is coming into her own and being embraced by the more seasoned jazz professionals both here in the Bahamas and abroad. In addition, her fans who have had the opportunity to watch her development from the start, together marveled on the night as to how much she has grown in such a short time. Anuschka displayed a presence and command of the music and her audience that they never would have imagined from the stage shy girl they grew to know and love.

And now with another successful concert behind her, Anuschka’s attention returns to fine tuning her craft and preparing for her next year at Concordia University in Montreal. Anuschka is grateful for all the support that she is receiving from sponsors such KWV Wines, The British Colonial Hilton Hotel and CBS Bahamas. She is also appreciative off all the media houses that are helping to spread the vision and message of Jazz In Bloom.

She also invites all Jazz In Bloom supporters to also support The Accordion Project and Bahamas Jazz Project, two impactful youth and music programs here in the Bahamas. And until next Father’s Day you are invited to look out for other Jazz In Bloom developments throughout the year. So keep in touch and “Stay Jazzed”!

More Info: www.jazzinbloom.com