Hamilton jazz singer phenom Avery Raquelhandout
Ah, to be 14. On her album Life Lessons, young singer Avery Raquel does sophisticated versions of pop classics, with a song list that reflects an appreciation for affirmation and optimism on one hand, blitheness on the other. So, from the Brantford, Ont., jazz ingenue we hear Over the Rainbow and the Beatles' Blackbird, and then comes the carefree: "Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be."
On July 24 (7:30 p.m.), Avery performs at North York's Mel Lastman Square, followed by appearances at Hamilton's Waterfront Pier 8 (July 28) and Niagara Jazz Fest (July 29). And then? The future is not ours to see – Doris Day taught Avery that life lesson.
Brad Wheeler