Jim Byrnes – Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – August 30, 2013
The 20th Anniversary Enchanted Evenings Concert Series at Dr Sun Yat-Sen Gardens came to a close last week with a performance by blues great Jim Byrnes. The award winning musician/actor played a 75 minute set, of covers and original material before an intimate audience in the Hall Of One Hundred Rivers. Accompanied by guitarist Lindsay Mitchell of the band Prism, Byrnes’ natural storytelling ability shone through as he regaled the audience with stories of the origins of the songs and how he first came to hear, like and record them. Over the course of his illustrious career he has covered a wide range of artists and genres, from R&B, Country, Pop and Jazz Standards and the Blues. Artists like Curtis Mayfield, Waylong Jennings, Irving Berlin, Major Lance and Ray Charles have all influenced and contributed to his repertoire.
A regular performer over the years at the Enchanted Evenings Concerts, Mr Byrnes extolled the virtues of Dr Sun Yat-Sen Garden as a 
‘hidden gem’ in the city that we must treasure and patronise to ensure its survival. The Gardens are indeed a treasure and after experiencing great music in a great setting I’m sorry I waited so long before taking in an Enchanted Evenings Concert. I look forward to seeing next year’s line-up.