One of the most anticipated concerts of the summer took place in Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024. The Tartu Song Festival Grounds hosted 6-time GRAMMY® award-winning multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier and the world-renowned a cappella gospel sextet, 10-time GRAMMY® award-winning Take 6. Together with the Tartu 2024 Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valter Soosalu, they created true magic, transforming the audience into a united choir.
Jacob Collier made a significant impact on the music industry in 2016 with his debut album ‘In My Room’. Not only did he arrange, record, and produce the entire album on his own, but he also played every instrument featured on it. The album became an instant success, topping the music charts for weeks. Collier’s professional recognition came in the form of two GRAMMY® awards for Best Arrangement for his renditions of Stevie Wonder’s ’You and I’ and the theme song of the animated TV series ‘The Flintstones’.
Today, Jacob Collier is a famous multi-instrumentalist who regularly tours and collaborates with artists such as Coldplay, John Legend, John Mayer, Shawn Mendes, Snarky Puppy, Maro, and many others. He has released five studio albums and earned six GRAMMY® awards. For his concert in Tartu, he invited the legendary ensemble Take 6, who have been performing together for over 40 years. This renowned a cappella group has stayed together for so long thanks to their faith, friendship, respect, and love of music. As a legendary ensemble in their own right, it’s impossible not to mention their collaborations with music icons like Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Whitney Houston, to name just a few.
If the collaboration between Jacob Collier and Take 6 sounds amazing, Jazzkaar would tell you there are no limits to perfection! To elevate this concert into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Jacob Collier and Take 6 were accompanied by the Tartu 2024 Symphony Orchestra, which comprises renowned musicians from the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Estonian National Opera, and the Vanemuine Theatre, all conducted by Valter Soosalu. There was no doubt that Soosalu would skillfully guide and unite the artists from around the world.
The concert began with a warm-up act by Estonian musician NOËP. His first song, ‘Young Blood City’, was the perfect start to this fantastic evening, as it’s also the anthem for Tartu 2024, the European Capital of Culture. The audience was cheering, dancing, clapping, and moving to the rhythm of some of his popular songs, including ‘KIDS’, ‘fk this up’, ‘Head Out of the Water’, and ‘Young Boy’. NOËP also delighted the crowd with some of his new hits, such as ‘Naked in the Sun’, released earlier this year. By the end of his set, the audience was fully energized and ready for the day’s headliner – Jacob Collier.
The opening song of Collier’s set that evening was ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’, a globally famous hit recorded by The Police in 1981. The combination of a symphony orchestra, Jacob Collier with his harmonizer—an instrument that allows him to sing multi-voice harmonies—and a stadium full of people singing along created an unforgettable atmosphere. And the cherry on top of this musical feast was, of course, Take 6, with their stunning a cappella performance.
Without a doubt, inviting Take 6 was an excellent choice. Their connection on stage, along with the beautiful performance of their own pieces and some of the greatest hits, made for a truly special experience. Take 6 paid tribute to their collaboration with Ray Charles by performing one of their joint pieces, ‘My Friend’. They also delighted the audience with ‘You Deserve It’ by JJ Hairston and ‘Just In Time’ (1956), a worldwide hit performed by legends like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and many others. Throughout the concert, there were separate performances by Take 6 and Collier, while some pieces were performed together, including ‘Smile’ (1936)—a timeless classic composed by Charlie Chaplin for his film ‘Modern Times’.
For his setlist, Jacob Collier chose not only famous hits but also some of his own compositions. The audience in Tartu danced, clapped, and sang along to ‘All Night Long (All Night)’ by Lionel Richie, ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen, and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, famously performed by Elvis Presley. Collier also delivered a stunning rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Human Nature’, beautifully enhanced by the talented Estonian musicians from the Tartu 2024 Symphony Orchestra and a special guest—Suzie Collier, Jacob’s mother.
Collier is well-known for his inventive covers of popular hits, but also for his unique ability to turn an audience into a unified choir. While this may be a new experience for many, it was second nature to the Estonian crowd! Ask us to sing, and we will respond. For over 150 years, Estonians have honed their choral skills at the Estonian Song Festivals, where up to 80,000 people sing together. When Collier began guiding the audience through different chords, the crowd responded with harmonious, unified singing, much to the surprise and delight of the British star.
The 2.5-hour concert offered more than any typical performance—an unforgettable warm-up, positive energy, timeless hits, and a fusion of pop, electronics, a cappella, and symphony orchestra. And, of course, the chance to join a 6,000-strong choir and sing alongside the star of the evening, Jacob Collier. To top off this magical night, Collier returned for an encore, closing the show with his original song ‘It Don’t Matter’. Indeed, nothing else mattered after such an extraordinary concert!
Jacob Collier & Take 6
18th of July 2024, 7 pm at Tartu Song Festival Grounds
NOËP – supporting act
Jacob Collier
Take 6
Valter Soosalu
Tartu 2024 Symphony Orchestra
Photo: Liis Reiman