The Last Waltz - Standout Performances - Fitzgerald Theatre

When Great Becomes Unforgettable

Having spent over 20 years on stage myself as a bassist—not anywhere near the level of success of the musicians who performed this night—I don’t throw around praise lightly. I may not consider myself in the same league as the artists on that stage, but I know what great musicianship looks and feels like. And while every performer that night was the real deal, there were a few moments where something deeper happened—where the music made you stop and take notice.

Three performances stood above the rest.

First was Nicholas David, known to many from The Voice. From the moment he sat at the keys, there was a shift in the room. His playing carried a soulful weight, and his vocals hit with a kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured. It wasn’t just technically strong—it was felt. There was a depth and honesty in his performance that resonated on another level, the kind that pulls you in and holds you there.

Then came Sonny Earl on harmonica—and this was a moment I won’t forget. I happened to be standing next to the sound engineer when he stepped on stage, right next to a floor monitor. What came out of that speaker was unreal—raw, powerful, and incredibly detailed. It stopped me in my tracks. For a moment, I completely forgot I was there to shoot photos. I was just listening, taking it in. Eventually I snapped back and grabbed a few frames, but that brief pause says everything about the impact of his performance. I can’t even speak to what it sounded like out in the house—but from the wings, it was something special.

And then there was Maurice Jacox. A true bluesman in every sense of the word. The second he took the stage, you could feel the respect in the room—from both the audience and the musicians around him. His vocals carried authority, history, and soul, and it didn’t take long before the crowd was on its feet, dancing in the aisles. It was more than just a performance—it was a reminder of what the blues is at its core. Watching the way the other performers responded to him, both during and after the set, made it clear: this is someone who has put in the work, earned his place, and commands that respect without saying a word.

Moments like these are why live music matters. And why nights like this one stick with you long after the final note.