MAGIC!

If, as Health Fitness Revolution offers, music and specifically attending concerts “is fun and leads to reduced stress levels,” I should be floating on clouds for months. Like dancing on the ceiling!

It began on a warm and dreamy evening earlier in May overlooking the water at Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay venue nearby on Shelter Island where Diana Krall, the enthralling Canadian jazz musician known for her sultry, unforced contralto voice and her elegant piano playing, captured those of us in her adoring audience.

A disciple of Nat King Cole, she and her jaw-dropping talented trio, filled the night air with the velvet tones of Cole’s signature croonings like “Moonglow,” “The Look of Love,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

As she ended with “Dancing in the Dark,” we did just that.

In citing the concert-going benefits, research says that “exercise and calorie burn are often a result as concertgoers are prone to engage in physical activity like dancing and moving around.

How easy is that?

Reducing calories and stress and enjoying romantic music under a star-filled sky at the same time. An "experience" gift from my far-away son.

As if that weren’t enough for our melodic senses, a visit to the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles for another performance sent them over the top just days ago.

The Maestro - the magical, monstrous musician that is Jon Batiste in concert - mesmerized the multitudes! Nobody more than me.

I first knew Oscar-Grammy-winning Batiste on late night television. Then through his inspiring love affair with Suleika Jaouad, who in my world of writing reigns supreme. Then through their American Symphony on Netflix. (Do not miss!) And most recently, his stunning soulful performance at this year's Super Bowl.

Nothing had prepared me for his standout, never-to-be-forgotten, over-the-top performance in LA. Not enough adjectives. I’ll just say if you have an opportunity to see this man live, jump at the chance. The consummate pianist, (multiple other instruments too) vocalist, composer, singer, dancer, and fashion statement had us all in the palm of his hands from the moment of entering the stage left after the lights went down and an audience-teasing dramatic pause.

 “Fur Elise," "Beethoven’s Fifth," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Butterfly,” (his heartfelt lullaby for Suleika), and finally “You Are My Sunshine,” and every piece in between carefully and beautifully abstracted in Batiste’s astonishing, jazzy, New Orleans-flavored styles, turned the venue into a spiritual, soulful, hero-worshipping, community of Jon Batiste, and the Maestro’s world of music super fans.

We sang along. We stood and clapped. We took pictures and videos. We lit up our iPhones. Some cried. Others yelled his praises. At times, we were silent as stones.

All captivated by the one-man blockbuster.

Standing ovation after standing ovation after standing ovation.

The research also states that attending a concert—a live performance—can boost dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter and create a sense of community and belonging by sharing the experience with fellow fans.

It all happened for me.

I’m still feeling good. Like dancin' on the ceiling good!

It’s summertime. Concerts everywhere y’all. Grandstands, ball parks, fair grounds, town squares, arenas.

Country, oldies, rock n' roll, reggae, jazz. Doesn't matter. Just go for it.

You’ll feel good!

I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby