Secada And Sergio Mendes Take Van Wezel by Storm

Jon Secada and Sergio Mendes performed at a packed Sunday evening. The Van Wezel was packed with a diverse crowd including many people of Brazilian and Latin background. 

Jon Secada opened for Sergio and came out onto the stage full of energy and fun that got the night off to great start. Jon performed for a little over an hour and had the audience on their feet by the time he had finished his set. He also sang a couple of his songs in Spanish. 

Highlights of his performance were a rendition of his duet with Frank Sinatra, Tree of Life, his hit song, Just Another Day, a cover of Remember by Earth, Wind and Fire and She’s All I Need, a song that he wrote for his friend, Ricky Martin.

Mr. Secada was in excellent voice and wore cool blue jeans, a T-shirt with a grey vest and fedora.  

After intermission, Sergio Mendes came to the stage with his band and two female vocalists.

The stylish Mr. Mendes came to the stage wearing a black and white shirt, white pants, black shoes and a black and white panama hat.  His latin influenced jazz and bossa nova brought a great Brazilian vibe to the hall and people were moving and swaying in their seats.  

There was a mix of songs including a bossa nova cover of I think I’m going out of my head, Sergio’s Academy Award nominated song RIO and Mas Que Nada. 

One spectacular moment, during the set happened when the talented musician playing the bongos came out from behind the drums and jumped around the stage playing cowbells. He was able to pull an incredible dynamic sound out this traditional Latin instrument. 

The audience at the Van Wezel roared with applause when he finished his impromptu cowbell performance.

There were two encores that had the audience on their feet, dancing at their seats and clapping with their arms over their heads. 

The energy in the air was tangible. 

It was like taking a quick trip to Rio and Havana without ever having to leave home.