Romance is taking on a Louisana flare at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue on Valentine’s Day as Kauai Island Singers Showcase presents the annual KISS Love Concert.
Pairing eight KISS vocalists with New Orleans jazz professor Matt Lemmler, the show will feature well-known love songs in the unique style of New Orleans jazz.
“There’s a certain cadence and rhythm to it,” said KISS performer Melissa Mojo. “Jazz has a lot of different types of rhythms to it, and the New Orleans style is unique.”
Singing those trademark love songs with a twist will be KISS vocalists Barbara Pendragon, Melissa Mojo, Christine Melamed, Dhyana Dunville, Steve Backinoff, Trishana Star, Diana Leone and Mary Ellen Kopitzke.
They’ll be accompanied by Lemmler on the piano and vocals.
Many of the KISS performers have been studying jazz for years with Lemmler and other jazz teachers, and look forward to the time when these teachers come to Kauai for performances and a few lessons.
“Last year we worked directly with Matt to produce the concert,” Mojo said.
The same is happening this year, and it’s not just the songs that get a little bit of a tweak for the Valentine’s Day concert. The vocalists have to adjust practices, too.
“Matt’s not on-island right now, so we’re kind of waiting, narrowing down our songs and practicing songs we know,” Mojo said. “Once he gets here, we’ll start putting it together.”
That makes for a string of dynamic rehearsals close to the date of the show.
The KISS Love Concert starts at 7 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Church on Friday, Feb. 14. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Buy tickets at www.KISSKauai.org.
