An evening of transcendent music as Ananda Murari and Jon Torrence weave sonic tapestries at Leon Loft
Ananda Murari and Jon Torrence at Leon Loft
I nearly leapt out of my chair. Browsing the interwebs, I stumbled upon a posting by Ananda Murari inviting folks to Leon Loft for a show. This alone would be enough to block the date on my calendar. The kicker here: Ananda was sharing the stage with Jon Torrence. Having seen Ananda play at North Star Lounge and witnessed Jon at GIG – The Art of Michigan Music 2024 and Manchester Underground, I knew this would be a fantastic show. The thing is, I had no idea how awesome this experience would truly be.
Leon Loft
This was our first experience at Leon Loft. I’d heard of the fabled handcrafted excellence of Leon Speakers. However, we had not experienced a show in this performance space. Leon Loft is intimate and inviting. Cameras and stage mics are deployed to capture the artists in action. You can feel the acoustics of the room drawing in close. This vibe generated by the room heightens the anticipation for the show. We drifted over to a table not far from the stage and prepared to soak in the sounds.
Jon Torrence
Opening with the song “Only Human,” Jon displays his prodigious talent and profuse creativity. Using a looping pedal, he blends his guitar and beat-box vocals into a rhythm track upon which to solo on guitar and trumpet. Setting a tone of soulful joy, Jon invites his wife, Julie, and their friend, Brittney Mong, to join him.
As much as I love Jon’s solo work, this trio is mesmerizing. The vocal harmonies of Jon and Julie, combined with the sonorous cello played by Brittany, add richness and deep textures to the music. Songs such as “David’s Song” scale new heights. Meanwhile, the counterpoint and lush melodies in “Whole” seemed to burst upon us in a sonic wave of jazzy soul. Throughout Jon’s set, he shared notes on his song, giving context that accentuated our appreciation.
Ananda Murari
Ananda Murari took the spotlight, carrying forward the massive emotional momentum we were all feeling this evening. Joining Ananda are Stephen Castiglione (bass) and Bel Holiday (vocals, harmonium, tambourine). Working as one, they pushed the music higher. The bass, soothing and grounding, provided a sturdy foundation for the majestic vocals and guitar. The psychic bond formed by these musicians together on the stage seems to radiate through us.
Playing a variety of old and new songs, the band enriched Ananda’s poetic songs with celestial vibrance and poignancy. From the delicate sweetness of “No Coin Needed” to the jazzy syncopation of “Soil”, this music bubbled with effervescence. I was particularly struck by the brilliance of the vocals of Bel Holiday on “Soil,” which reverberated the implied strength and resilience in this song.
Boundless Artistry
From the very first chord, it was clear that this was more than a concert; it was a beautifully woven narrative of original songwriting and heartfelt storytelling. In a two-act play, Jon Torrence and Ananda Murari revealed to us their hearts and minds with passion, grace, and fire. They embraced the audience in a shared emotional journey using melody and harmony to guide us deep into the inner workings of their creativity. Their boundless artistry filled each of us with hope and inspiration. Many thanks to Leon Loft for hosting this event. The sound was exquisite and the atmosphere phenomenal.
Pictures
We’ve got more photographs from Jon Torrence and Ananda Murari at Leon Loft in our gallery.
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