Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis promised an evening of soul-stirring performances from R&B icons Phil Perry, Jeffrey Osborne, and Patrice Rushen. However, in my opinion and maybe of the audience as well, what ensued, revealed an unintended imbalance in the lineup. Confused? Keep reading…

Kicking off the show was Phil Perry, whose heartfelt ballads set a mellow atmosphere. He performed slows cuts such as “People Make The World Go Round” “Sadie” and “If Only You Knew”. His performance was an ultra-smooth warm-up for the evening.

Following Perry was Jeffrey Osborne, whose set electrified the audience. Hits like “On the Wings of Love” and “Stay with Me Tonight” “Only Human” and the fan favorite he interacts with on “You Should Be Mine” you know…the Woo Woo song.😊 Jeffrey had the crowd on their feet, dancing and singing along to every song…he even appeared in the audience more than once! Osborne’s charisma and stage presence were undeniable, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement!

However, it was after this high peak that the lineup took an unexpected turn. Patrice Rushen, a virtuoso pianist and vocalist, was up next after Osborne. Coming off his high-energy performance into Rushen’s more chill, laid-back, jazzy groove set proved to be jarring for some attendees. Unfortunately this shift led to an unintended consequence as fans, still riding the wave of excitement from Osborne’s performance, began to leave during Rushen’s set. 😢 I was not about to step out on Ms Rushen, after all, she was the reason I attended, the first time ever for me! She took the audience on a musical journey that spanned her career across genres. With her band backing her every step of the way, Rushen delivered a performance that was both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. She performed a balance of her instrumental songs and played her vocal hits such as “Settle for my Love” “Remind Me” “Feels So Real” and she closed out with my favorite “Forget Me Nots”! I hate that so many missed her full perfromance! But, I believe she deserved a more fitting placement in the lineup, perhaps sandwiched between Perry and Osborne, to allow for a smoother transition between the performances.

Despite the misplaced lineup, the individual talents of Perry, Osborne, and Rushen shone brightly throughout the evening. Each artist brought their unique style and flair to the stage, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of fans. Moving forward, it’s essential for event organizers to consider the flow and energy of performances when planning lineups, ensuring a more cohesive and enjoyable experience for all attendees.