The third performance of Tainan City Government’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve Festivities this year is a jazz concert which took place on December 18 at the west plaza of Tainan City Government Yonghua Civic Center. The audience was deeply moved by the performances given by foreign singers Martin Hurkens and Mary-Jess, Taiwanese artist Joanna, and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che also attended the event and enjoyed the beautiful music with the public under the stars.
The Mayor pointed out that thanks to the effective pandemic controlling measures in Taiwan, Tainan can still organize and host these concerts. He also mentioned that he just recorded a video clip backstage for the Mayor of Martin Hurkens’ hometown. In the video, he explained that the Taiwanese public is able to lead a relatively normal life due to three simple epidemic prevention tips: wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain social distance. He also hoped that the public can carry on the good habits and keep everyone safe and healthy.
The concert programme included famous jazz classics such as Miles Davis’ “Four” and Duke Ellington’s “It Don't Mean A Thing”. Joanna also covered popular love songs between the 60s and 80s that were originally sung by Teresa Teng, Misora Hibari, and Judy Ongg in Chinese, Japanese, and Cantonese. The marvelous voices combined with the live performance of NSO led the audience on a musical journey through space and time.
Singer Mary-Jess, nicknamed “Super Mary” by the British press, presented popular Chinese songs such as “Jasmine Flower” and “Tian Hei Hei”; and Martin Hurkens sang Teresa Teng’s classic “The Moon Represents My Heart”, prompting the audience to sing along.