Jaz Karis' Sky High Performance in Islington for Her Debut Album 'Safe Flight' [Show Review]

Taking to Islington Assembly Hall’s stage to perform her first debut album ‘Safe Flight’, Jaz Karis went above and beyond the clouds for her headline show.

The artist has come a long way from the beginning of her career and represents South London’s talent most impressively. From working with RnB stars and living between LA & London, the international star has proven her talent travels further than South of the river. This is the pinnacle subject of Jaz’s album and the stage set for her show in North London presented nothing less. 

Photography Mapesho Kyakilika

The stage was covered in clouds with a set design featuring a screen behind the band which played home videos of Jaz with family and friends. A beautiful opening for the star to open up to her fans in the audience with performances of each new song from the album. The intimate setting was structured similarly to a Tiny Desk Concert with a band and backup singers accompanying the singer. All dressed in white shirts, it gave a uniform feel of cabin crew adding to the ‘Safe Flight’ memo. Jaz poised with elegance and grace as she entered the stage after a stunning warm-up from support act Ayanna. Almost eight years since Jaz’s EP ‘Into the Wilderness’ was released, Karis has proved her talent and maturity with the direction she has taken since her first singles and now she has truly come full circle with last week’s show. 

Taking the crowd back to underground jazz venues, old school rhythm and blues, the performances felt like a whirl back in time to live music venues minus backing tracks and digitalised instrumentation. Jaz combined her written tracks with covers and blessed fans with her earlier songs including hit 'Petty Lover'. Witnessing interactions with adoring fans in the front rows, Jaz created a space that felt like a safe haven. Her wispy notes and riffs were mesmerising as her saxophone player followed her league performing impressive scalic melodies and freestyles. Everything down to the lighting of the show helped to form a harmonious atmosphere with the sounds of the band. Lights beamed like vessels of sunlight peering towards Jaz on stage as she went through the tracks from ‘SUNSET BLVD’  to ‘TEQUILA’ before an interlude began into ‘SUNRISE’. 

Photography Mapesho Kyakilika

The popular track ‘NICE GIRLS’ welcomed a surprise appearance from the track’s guest feature, Mahalia. The chemistry between both RnB singers was something fans felt lucky to see. Two of London’s great talents joined on stage to bring the soft yet vulnerable lyrics to life among a crowd infatuated with the pair. Mahalia was one of three surprise guests, Tiny Man and Reekado Banks also joined Jaz at her Friday night show. No doubt these acts brought live energy to the show and mixed up the RnB show into something with variety in rap, hip hop and soul. Hi-hats, symbols and bassists moved the audience as Jaz injected passion and heartfelt lyrics from her songs into the performance. 

Her stage presence, control and charisma were a testament to the Brit School alumni’s undeniable star quality but also a reputable mention for anyone who craves the real soul and a powerful RnB show experience.