Penza, 21 October 2016. PenzaNews. Joint performance of the “Express-Band” pop-jazz ensemble directed by Yuri Belonogov and the American singer Tavis Minner took place in the Penza regional Philharmonic Hall on Thursday, October 20.

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The singer’s performance was simultaneously interpreted, as the American almost does not speak Russia, however,  Tavis Minner managed to learn the Russian word “spasibo” and often used it, along with “thank you.”

The language barrier did not prevent him from resonating with the audience. The singer actively interacted with the viewers. Almost every song throughout the whole performance, which lasted for almost an hour, was accompanied by a brief life story, reflections or some other introduction.

“I travel across the country! I have seen so many beautiful people! And we are all the same. We all feel grief, we all feel joy, love, we all have broken hearts. Sometimes we want to dance, sometimes we want to sleep – you see, we are all the same! What a wonderful world!” he said before the Louis Armstrong’s song “It’s a wonderful world!”

Tavis Minner also tried to vocalize with the audience. He sang short tunes, and the spectators tried to copy him. At the peak of the Penza residents’ excitement, the singer offered them such a complicated tune that they did not dare to repeat it and laughed.

Throughout the concert the singer danced on the stage, involved musicians, viewers and even the interpreter in the action. Along with jazz Tavis Minner performed a rock composition with the orchestra. He included in the program not only dynamic and lively melodies, but also lyrical slow songs, one of which the singer performed accompanied by a synthesizer only, and another – without any music.

The singer also presented all the orchestra members calling the musicians on the American manner. For instance, one of the band members, named Mikhail, was introduced as Michael.

At the end of the performance, he made a selfie with the audience from the stage.