Solos and Song: Theo’s show

The quiet stage before the show began

Last night was an evening full of song and emotions. Hearing Theo Bleckmann’s voice always strikes a very specific chord in my heart, but last night was made doubly special because I had a chance to be part of it by designing the environment for the entire show. It was a busy day with a lot to set up and small details to get right, but the minute Theo set foot on the stage and began, I forgot all about that and just became entranced with the music and his voice. I wasn’t alone. As I looked out at the sold out crowd in Roulette, I could see people reacting with joy, understanding and many times laughter (Theo tells some great jokes).

He played a diverse amount of songs from his discography, ranging from his newest record Schumann's Favored Bar Songs  (out today from Winter and Winter) to his first record ever released. For his encore, he even played a German version of the famous Beatles song, I Want to Hold Your Hand, with the audience clapping along.

Lighting was the biggest component for décor of the set. Ira Levy helped me design the lighting for the night. As Theo played from song to song, we coordinated the lights to change colors from purple to green to blue and so on. A major part of this was a large canopy I created out of fiber optic strands that twinkled above the stage.  Theo’s next performance will be in Munich, Germany in January. If you’re interested in attending one of his shows, check out his tour page for more information.

Tonight: Theo Bleckmann’s Solo Show

Today’s a busy day; Theo is performing tonight. (The show is sold out!) I am so fortunate that my partner is a world-renowned jazz performer. I’ve always wanted to create a set for one of his performances and today I finally get the chance.

Theo will be performing an intimate one man show at Roulette in Soho and it’s sure to be an amazing experience (if I do say so myself). All the sets and the entire environment are created by me, and I really hope everyone enjoys them. We’re setting up the stage right now. I’ll try to get some before and after pictures to post for you all to see.

A Little Bit of Jazz

Last night, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Theo Bleckmann play at the Neue Galerie. The performance was sold out and even though he's my partner, I gave up my seat and joined the standing room. I know I may be a little biased, but he is one of the best jazz vocalists around. Even now, when I see him perform, his amazing voice still brings me to tears.

The crowd definitely loved him too. They kept asking for more encores. It was a terrific night, and if you happen to be in New York City, you should check out his solo show coming up. It will be on November 19 at Roulette: 20 Greene Street in Soho. Check out his website for more details.

Photos courtesy of John Spiral and Amanda Stockwell. Thank you.