‘One love’: Harvi Millar and Zamani bring jazz standards, R&B originals and Bob Marley to Sullivan’s Pond
They don’t really make them like Harvi Millar anymore. The jazz guitarist’s smile comes easy and often. It matches his energy and makes you believe all the world’s discord can be solved with just the right harmony.
“My music brings people together,” Millar said. “I think these events are important because music speaks to everyone. Music is the unifying language.”
Millar, and his daughter Zamani, performed Sunday as part of the Downtown Dartmouth Sullivan’s Pond Concert Series. The free concerts are held every week and feature local artists in front of the pond’s big fountain.
Millar set the vibe early, playing several songs written by Bob Marley and calling on the crowd to join in singing and sharing the reggae legend’s message.
“Bob Marley’s music spoke to me,” he said. “His music is resistance music. Music about struggle, music about equality, about justice. So, I always do a tribute to Bob Marley.”
Millar was joined on stage by his daughter, Zamani, whose voice has made her a star in the local R&B scene.
“I think this atmosphere calls for some jazz,” Zamani said before demonstrating her considerable range performing Lush Life, written by Billy Strayhorn between 1933 and 1936. For the crowd, it was a rare opportunity to hear what a Disney Princess would sound like if she were charming the late crowd by channeling heartbreak in a smoky saloon.
Zamani’s first original of the afternoon, Sunflower Seed, brought more pop energy to the park. She said it’s a song about becoming what you are truly capable of.
“Watch it grow to the flower you want to be,” she said.
Millar’s pride was apparent when he talked about sharing the stage with his daughter.
“She’s doing very well,” he said. “She’s gone way past her mom and I. We did music as fun, but I think she has the potential to do music as a career. So we’re looking forward to seeing where she goes.”
David Thompson and Kate Foster live in the neighbourhood. Thompson said he and his wife come to a lot of the free concerts but they were excited to hear Zamani.
“She’s a really lovely singer, so we came down to check her out,” Thompson said. “She’s been amazing. She is amazing.”
“It’s awesome,” Foster said. “They’re both great. They put on a great show.”
Thompson, who grew up in and raised his family in the neighbourhood, said the concert series has a great community feel.
“It brings people out and it brings people together,” he said. “It’s showcasing local artists which I think is great.”
“It makes it a great place to live,” Foster said.
Millar brought the jazz giants to the second half of his set, peppering classics like So What, and A Night in Tunisia with funk and Caribbean seasoning. Zamani sang her way off the stage with her new single, Cycles.
The Sullivan’s Pond Concert Series is put on by the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission. The free concerts take place Sunday afternoons through the summer at the Bandshell Stage.
Upcoming shows include:
- Good Dear Good: Sunday, August 23, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Esdaile: Sunday, August 30, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Isabelle Foster: Sunday, September 6, 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- The Mellotones: Sunday, September 6, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
“It’s not just about artists getting to feel good doing something they love,” said Nicholas D’Amato, who teaches music at Acadia University. He joined Millar on stage as his bassist for the afternoon. “It’s about what the music does for the people listening.”
D’Amato said it’s a difficult time for the arts following funding cuts.
“I think it’s hugely important,” D’Amato said. “The cuts show at least some sector believes that it’s not that important. I think they’re wrong. History shows they’re wrong.”
Millar said he knows a lot of good musicians don’t make it, but they work very hard and supporting them is essential to the community.
“Support the arts as much as possible,” he said. “Support musicians and show them we appreciate them, because a city without art is a city without life."
Before the final song, Millar left the crowd with one more request.
“This is where we have to love you and leave you,” he said. “Stick around. Talk to some people. Make some friends.”