Montreal Jazz Festival, Day 1: Stevie Wonder

I was overcome with emotion when Stevie opened his set with a speech commemorating Michael Jackson to whom he dedicated the entire concert. He spoke of how every time a rumor, some gossip or scandal would leak out, there was always someone behind the scenes making money from it. To profit from the affliction of another is inhuman, yet it seems to be a natural reflex whenever capital is involved. Stevie went on emphasizing that the bottom line is Michael touched the lives of millions and that we should all remember him and continue to be moved by him through his music, because his music is what matters, his music is what is real. Everything else is just toxic irrelevant hearsay.

The concert itself was worth the all hours of waiting, Enochlophobia, rain and back pains. Stevie Wonder truly is a legend, a wonderful man with a wonderful talent. As it all came to an end the rain started again, but somehow this time it felt cleansing. I have a new found love for dancing in the rain; it had been a long time since my spirit had felt that free.

Two amongst the thousands of onlookers