HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS CD LAUNCH

Slick launch of debut CD by accomplished performer Jaziel "Jaz" Vaugh'hann. (Review by Maurice Kort)

Popular singer and actor Jaziel "Jaz" Vaugh'hann, has taken the next step in his performing career by launching his first CD, Heaven Only Knows, which is also the title of one of two songs on the CD he composed himself, the other being Gotta See Me. Theatregoers will have seen him as Prince Charming in the recent adult pantomimes Sleeping Beauty and Sinderella as well as in various music compilations at the Rhumbelow Theatre including the hits Elvis has Left the Building, Duets to Die For and Oh Boy! Bassey! as well as the Children's Theatre hit Jonah and the Whale at that same venue.

I was fortunate to have been invited to the launch of his CD at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on July 20 and it was a most enjoyable event showcasing the endearing personality and very pleasant singing of Jaz. The evening opened with a video of snapshots of Jaziel from his babyhood and "cute" just doesn't do him justice. The audience is won over to him immediately and he received a huge welcome when he stepped onto the stage from the front row.

The evening continued with his giving a taste of what one can expect from the CD to excellent backing tracks starting with I Left My Heart in San Francisco (Douglas Cross/George Cory). This was followed by Cry Me a River (Arthur Hamilton). He introduced several of the songs by explaining how and why he chose them. His strong ties to, and love of, his family, particularly his mother and his two sisters - one older and one younger than him - are very apparent, as his gratitude to his friends. Some of the songs with which he delighted the audience were Let Me Let Go, Music of the Heart, On the Side of Angels and Close the Door. His renditions of the Robbie Williams/Guy Chambers Angels, Amy Winehouse Wake Up Alone and John D Loudermilk Turn Me On hits were hugely popular.

Two of the songs were preceded by videos of Jaziel Vaugh'hann singing them at auditions with no backing music, warts and all. This was most endearing, very entertaining and not without much humour. Of course the performances of the songs that followed with the music backing brought out the contrast and professionalism.

Further delights in the very entertaining launch were the presence of backing dancers in the form of Kirsty Randall, Graeme Harpham, Kerry Freshwater and Leigh Irwin, in various combinations, accompanying some of the songs. In addition, illustrating his gratitude to his friends and fellow singers in several of his shows, he brought onto the stage two guests. The first was Anthony Stonier, his partner in Oh Boy! Bassey!, to enchant with Impossible, ostensibly from his next CD, and later Belinda Dolphin, with whom he often performs, in another duet.

I hope Jaziel's debut CD will do exceptionally well, it certainly deserves to. I note from the artSMart website that there will be a further launch at Rythmic Beat in Hillcrest at 11h00 on July 24. – Maurice Kort