Jazzing up the weekend

If it is jazz you are after, Nicosia has a dedicated spot in the old town. Sarah’s Jazz Club is now well-known and every week it welcomes jazz lovers and musicians to wine, dine and enjoy live performances. This weekend will be no different as the venue will host another round of local artists who will jazz up September evenings in the capital.

Stopping by next at Sarah’s for a performance is vocalist Vanessa Megalemou on Friday 9 to perform her signature French repertoire accompanied by Vasilis Vourvopoulos. The two musicians will return to Sarah’s Jazz club to present a show of two parts. The first is a homage to Charles Aznavour, a Franco-Armenian singer, lyricist and actor, while the second part reunites all kinds of French singers including Barbara Pravi, Lara Fabian and of course Edith Piaf.

On Saturday, more local musicians will fill old Nicosia with tunes. Sarah’s will welcome a quartet of the islands’ most seasoned musicians, led by Charis Ioannou, who together make up The Working Quartet. With Ioannou on saxophone, Christos Yerolatsitis on piano, Kyriakos Kesta on bass and Marios Spyrou on drums, the quartet will bring lively jazz to life.

The four musicians will return to the jazz club’s stage in the following days as they prepare an All-Star Jam Session on Wednesday 14. These sessions are a frequent happening at the Nicosia bar, usually led by Ioannou and welcoming some of the very best jazz players of the island to experiment together in front of a live audience. Yet the night will not be just about these musicians as the second part of the evening welcomes up-and-coming musicians to join them on the stage. Audience members turn into jazz performers.

“The esteemed collective will open the evening and then play along with some of the island’s most exciting emerging talents,” says Sarah’s Jazz Club. “If you’re looking to expand on your musical ability by learning from veteran players this is your chance. Meanwhile, if you don’t play but are keen to witness superb musicianship in the making, then you won’t want to miss this!”

Vanessa Megalemou

Live music by Vanessa Megalemou and Vasilis Vourvopoulos. September 9. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

The Working Quartet

Live jazz. September 10. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9.30pm. €12. Tel: 95-147711

All-Star Jam Session

By the Working Quartet and more. September 14. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711