This year, Christmas Jazz had a special treat for its fans by combining a concert with a dance party, dedicated to one of the greatest figures in music history – Prince! The concert was headlined by the GRAMMY® award-winning trumpeter and arranger, Philip Lassiter, supported by Janno Trump and his band JT Conception, along with Uku Suviste and Alika Milova.
Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) is a legendary figure who requires no introduction. Undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of his generation, he was a singer, songwriter, producer, actor, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, and a true rockstar. Active on the stage for four decades, Prince was not only skilled in creating timeless hits but also in presenting himself as an artist. He released numerous hit singles, winning seven GRAMMY® Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film ‘’Purple Rain’’. With an impressive 150 million records sold worldwide, Prince is rightfully recognized as one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
Philip Lassiter is an accomplished horn/string arranger with eleven GRAMMY® Awards to his name. Renowned as the former section leader and string arranger for Prince in 2010, he has also made a mark as a trumpet player and arranger for artists like Ariana Grande, Timbaland, Kelly Rowland, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, and others. Influenced by the rhythms of jazz, salsa, funk, gospel, and soul, Lassiter is known for his readiness to experiment, drawing inspiration from the legendary Prince.
The show was set to begin! On that night, Philip Lassiter had an exceptional team supporting him – the JT Conception, led by the bassist and composer Janno Trump (Jazz Musician of the Year 2023), along with Estonian musicians Uku Suviste and Alika Milova. Dagmar Oja and Rolf Roosalu were in charge of the backing vocals. Despite the cold Thursday evening, the Noblessneri valukoda was filled with people eager to warm up on the dancefloor!
The concert featured some of Prince’s greatest hits, including “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore,” “Cream,” “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and “Gold” – a song Prince was especially proud of, considering it as the next “Purple Rain.” Philip Lassiter, with his captivating stage presence, knew how to make the audience move on the dance floor. Not only did he sing and play the piano simultaneously, but also set an example with his moves, showcasing an impressive display of stage presence and musicality! With each successive song, people became increasingly engaged, swaying to the rhythms of Prince’s music. As the band began to play “Sexy M.F.,” the entire room became a lively dance floor, with people enthusiastically moving and grooving to the music.
Throughout the show, the stage witnessed a true synergy — a passionate duet between Uku and Alika, complemented by the remarkable performance of JT Conception and the funky energy brought by Philip Lassiter. The musicians treated the audience to renditions of iconic songs like “I Feel For You,” “Diamonds and Pearls,” “I Hate You,” and the legendary “Kiss” from Prince’s 1985 album ‘’Parade’’. It’s quite astonishing, but at the time, Warner Bros. Records Inc. wasn’t keen on releasing “Kiss” as a single! The concert also featured the beautiful “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” which marked Prince’s first hit in the USA.
To conclude the night, the band ended with the timeless classic, “Purple Rain.” The audience, including myself and those around me, was warm enough to sing along with this beautiful song from beginning to end.
A big thank you to Uku and Alika for showcasing the diverse ways Prince’s songs can be performed. Gratitude to JT Conception for bringing Prince’s songs back to life. Special thanks to Philip Lassiter for warming up the cold evening and getting our hips moving! And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to Christmas Jazz for once again bringing us joy!
Philip Lassiter & JT Conception, Alika, Uku Suviste „Tribute to Prince“
6th of December 2023, 8 pm at Noblessneri valukoda
Philip Lassiter – trumpet, vocal and arrangements
Janno Trump – band leader, bass guitar, arrangements
Alika Milova – vocal
Uku Suviste – vocal
Dagmar Oja – backing vocal
Rolf Roosalu – backing vocal
JT Conception