A Candlelit Fusion: Jazz Meets Hip-Hop with Lavender Town’s Take on MF DOOM and More at The Balcony

Under the soft amber glow of candlelight at The Balcony, Toronto-based collective Lavender Town delivered a soulful night that blurred the lines between jazz and hip-hop. 

Their performance, consisting of jazz renditions of MF DOOM classics and hip-hop tunes, transported the audience into an intimate, musical atmosphere that felt both familiar and freshly reimagined.

Opening with “All Caps” and “Doomsday” the band set the tone with mellow notes and complex rhythms. The saxophonist, Lazar Miric, took a moment to speak directly to the crowd, jokingly delivering a thank you message in French. Despite his flawless accent, he quipped that it would be the extent of his French for the night, a playful interaction that perfectly matched the lighthearted, cosy atmosphere.

The warmth of the setting, paired with the crisp fall night outside, created an ideal backdrop for the meshing of jazz and hip-hop. The venue's intimate candle lighting amplified the richness of the music, letting every note linger in the air. It was the kind of night that made you realise how naturally jazz and hip-hop intertwine. MF DOOM’s beloved production style and clever wordplay were replaced by the soulful improvisation of jazz, but the essence of his music remained intact.

Lavender Town wasn’t confined to just DOOM's catalogue. As the set progressed, they introduced jazz interpretations of hip-hop tracks such as Kendrick Lamar’s “Untitled 05” and Anderson .Paak’s “Come Down”. Their take on “American Boy” by Estelle was a standout moment, as the audience was seen mouthing the words while the band effortlessly blended jazz with the popular hip-hop track. 

The band was a dynamic and engaging unit, with each member having their time to shine. Miric’s saxophone often led the way, with melodic exchanges between him and Kae Murphy’s trumpet. Solos from each instrument also flowed naturally throughout the set. A highlight of the night was during their cover of “One Beer”, where drummer Ambrose Veno’s tight, punchy rhythms stole the show, highlighting his skill and control.  At one point, when Jen Lo on keyboard took over, the bandmates even crouched down to let her shine, a visual cue that underscored the collaborative spirit and balance within the group.

Lavender Town also surprised the crowd with original compositions, adding a personal touch to the night while staying true to the show’s theme. “The Blame Game”, an original from Miric, fit right into the vibe, blending the rhythms of hip-hop with the soulful expressiveness of jazz.

The live orchestra setting brought something special to the hip-hop tracks. It added a layer of emotion that you don’t get from just listening to the studio version. Jazz, in its improvisational nature, thrives in live performances, and hip-hop, usually built from samples and loops, took on a fresh energy with the band’s touch. The musicians’ spontaneity kept things exciting, reminding the audience how versatile and adaptable hip-hop can be in different formats. 

By the time the night wrapped up with “Rhymes Like Dimes”, the crowd was fully immersed in Lavender Town’s captivating jazzy renditions of the hip-hop classics we know and love. 

This show was more than just an homage to MF DOOM - it was a testament to the timelessness of both jazz and hip-hop, and how beautifully they can come together in the right hands.