Symphony Nova Scotia is back in its Rebecca Cohn venue, teaming up with band Jeans ‘n Classics, helmed by singer Jean Meilleur. Branded “Symphonic Fusion,” the event is a contemporary celebration of the late glam rock legend David Bowie, that shines a light on the musical complexities of his diverse, prolific, and influential career. Although I found the symphony’s sound being drowned out by their rock n’ roller counterparts at the onset of the evening’s performance, the two forces soon found themselves in sync, performing a night chock-full of iconic songs perfectly.
The charismatic Jean Meilleur is a great vessel to bring Bowie’s work to the stage. A self-acknowledged fan, his baritone easily matches his muse’s vocal range with a unique-enough-sounding timbre that lets his own renditions speak for themselves. Equally appreciated was Meilleur’s ability to give backstories for songs and educate the audience in the reasons as to why Bowie wrote it. As such, many of the classics are given ample justice. Starman transcends onstage, aptly mirroring Bowie’s unprecedented height of popularity. A stripped down, cello- and piano-centric Life on Mars? is beautiful. Under the guidance of symphony conductor Greg Burton, the classical chops of his accompanying musicians coalesce wonderfully with the talented team of Jeans n’ Classics, projecting beloved dance numbers like Fame, Suffragette City, and Changes into truly memorable experiences. Perhaps most compelling for me was the inclusion of the haunting dystopian Five Years and the epic, uplifting classic Under Pressure, to provide a sense of timelessness to the night’s performance; the messages we can take from these songs are just as relevant in today’s uncertain world as they were decades ago.
With a short run that ends January 21st, The Music of David Bowie is an experience that will appeal to all Bowie fans, from the older dudes to the young ones.
