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Without a doubt the best live shows are the ones that both entertain and uplift you and leave you with a satisfied grin planted conspicuously between your cheeks. Nobody can pull this off quite like Jack Diaz.

For the last four years, Los-Angeles-born Diaz has called Sydney home whilst studying music at C3 College. In 2007 she released her debut EP (available on iTunes) and since then has serenaded many with her enchanting solo gigs across Sydney, including a recent appearance at The Basement.

But as amazing as her solo performances are, we've all been left wondering just what a performance from Jack would be like with support from an ensemble.

On Sunday night Jack Diaz launched her new album Jasmine Rice to a full-house of fans and, to the delight of the crowd, was supported by a mixed-bag of equally as talented musicians, including a percussionist, a string quartet and an accordionist.

Opening the set with the lovesick lullaby Pitter Patter, Jack and her band set the tone for a warm and highly caffeinated evening. Other highlights from the set were the leg-smackingly good Pause & Reflect (where Matt the percussionist swapped all his fancy-shmancy equipment for all but his hands and thighs) and the title track from the album Jasmine Rice captivated all with soft strings and sugary sweet vocals. Jack's cover of Diana Ross' If We Hold On Together plucked from The Land Before Time soundtrack also had many an "eighties kid" whisked back to their childhood for a good ol' reminisce.

If the extent of her creativity wasn't already evident by the last song of the evening, then it was certainly made clear when Jack took to a specially-crafted prop in the shape of a hot air balloon, saluted her audience and (through the use of some clever, on-stage trickery) "floated off" into the cardboard clouds. By the end of the set, even though the seats were made of rigid plastic and floor of hard timber, I couldn't help but feel I had sunken into a big marshmallow bean bag and had been gently carried away by the breeze.

Jack Diaz is adorably eccentric. Her melodies are clever and catchy and her lyrics are deeply honest. In a few short years she has blossomed from a cute, coffee-shop acoustic folk singer into to a unique and well-polished songwriter and multifaceted artist. Jack and her live show is now certainly a major contender for larger stage space and venues.

Youngie d - _ - b
SMP

(Images courtesy of James Dear)