On Sunday, July 12, The London Community Gospel Choir performed in front of a crowd that was captivated as the music progressed. The free event gathered a large audience who sang and danced, greatly encouraged by the Reverend and his choir.
1,000 seats were set up in front of the stage. This number seems amusing in hindsight, as more than 3,000 people gathered at the Nice Jazz Festival (NJF) this morning. Attending for the first time with his wife and three children at the NJF, Nicolas Marseilles, in his thirties, takes advantage of the free access to “explore a genre unknown to him. Plus, it’s a great cultural outing for the kids,” he says.
When the group takes the stage, applause greets them, but calm prevails. At least for now. For those who doubt, Reverend Bazil Meade warns, "Are you ready for the party?". The choir enters softly at first, composed of six women and two men: in the first minute, all sing a cappella with soft and melodious voices that soon become very energetic.
"Come on everybody, come on!" exclaims the Reverend to energize the crowd. They clap their hands in response, and the warm atmosphere under the sun pushes them to swing their arms, shake their shoulders, and even sway. Bazil Meade and his choir surely know how to entertain. Their dynamism, smiles, powerful voices, and a lively soundscape create a joyful buzz. The joy of the singers encourages spectators to mimic them, as Michel Tavares, 24, confides. "Look, everyone is dancing! Their music has something special; it brings warmth," he explains while moving his legs to the beat of the striking guitar and bass.
Smiles and Energy to Spare, Keys to Success
The Reverend never forgets the others. Who? His choir, with whom he seems to converse during the songs. He reaches out to them, sets the pace, and pushes his voice with strength. At the microphones, his six companions respond similarly. Bazil Meade also communes with the audience. Against a backdrop of “Everybody,” “Push your hands up,” people sway, and shoulder shuffles bring joyful sequences under the tents at the back. The group’s overflowing energy has reached the now unstoppable crowd, both old and young, locals and tourists from England or Germany. Witness a little girl, pink cap on her head, who has come down from her mother’s shoulders to spin around freely. Even a man in a cast stands up to join in.
The pieces keep coming, and the atmosphere remains lively. The musical genres seem varied: sometimes jazz, sometimes rock, or disco, Bazil and his team delight. The group's founder constantly involves the audience. He starts a song and lets them finish it, singing "Feel all right" in unison with his choir to be echoed by the popular masses. Words of endearment intertwine with music, like "You're fabulous Nice!". Needless to say, applause and cheers echo back unstoppably.
With their impressive vocal power, allowing them to belt out thunderously, the last piece, "Happy Day!", captivates everyone: dance moves, selfies, hands raised in the air, all thrilled by the lively kids on stage. And when the announcer and the crowd call them back for one last performance, they return happily for a finale that's just as lively, just as loud, and most importantly, just as jovial.
Photo credit: Anne-Claire de Nice
