[GIG REVIEW] The Art of Presence: A Night With JERUB at Jazz Cafe

A live experience that felt intimate, powerful, and deeply human

JERUB is one of those rare artists who carries an unmistakable honesty in everything he does. His music blends soulful vocals with heartfelt storytelling, creating songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. Whether he’s delivering something raw and intimate or letting his voice soar with full power, there’s a sincerity to his performance that immediately draws you in. Seeing him live isn’t just hearing the music, it’s stepping into the emotion behind it.

If there’s one thing I took away from this gig, it’s the importance of presence. Before the show began, I told myself I’d take notes throughout, but by the end of the night I returned to find only a single line staring back at me that read “be present.” That honestly sums up the night. From the moment he stepped on stage JERUB had an atmosphere around him that demanded attention, not in a loud way, but in a way that felt deeply intentional. 

JERUB's voice is one that sounds remarkable in any form, but hearing it live made its range and emotion even more striking. With an acoustic guitar his vocals felt soft, tender and emotional in a beautiful way. When he moved to electric something shifted, his voice expanded, becoming powerful, full-bodied and breathtaking. That contrast between gentleness and sheer force is something not many artists can pull off, and JERUB does it effortlessly.

One of the most standout moments of the night for me, was when JERUB asked us all to close our eyes and be fully present for just 30 seconds, and everyone listened. Such a simple instruction with such an unreal effect. Shifting the whole room into an immersive experience, like we were in the music instead of just listening to it. That’s part of what hit me so hard, being present at gigs feels like a lost art. People are distracted, thinking about filming, posting, capturing the moment instead of living it. Were you really there if you didn't get a good video or picture? Jerub didn’t just perform, he pulled us out of our heads and into the moment. I didn’t think about my notes or my phone. I wasn’t watching through a screen. I was there, fully, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else. That’s how you’re meant to feel in those moments. 

All night I kept catching myself thinking, "Yep, that’s my song of the night". Then the next one would start, and I’d be completely blown away all over again. It became this running joke in my head, every new song felt like the one. JERUB has this rare ability to make each track feel like a standout moment, each with its own emotional punch, its own atmosphere, its own reason to claim the top spot. By the end, I realised there wasn’t just one song of the night, there were several, each remarkable in its own way. We were even treated to a stunning ‘You and I’ duet between JERUB and Persia Holder. Their voices blended so beautifully, each unique, yet perfectly complementing the other, weaving in and out with effortless chemistry. It was easily one of my favourite moments of the night, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, I definitely wasn’t the only one. An official release, maybe? Hopefully? Please?

Walking out of the venue, it didn’t feel like I’d just attended a gig. It felt like I’d been part of something, something honest, intimate, and powerful. JERUB reminded me what live music can do when the artist isn’t just performing to an audience, but inviting you into the experience with him. This gig stayed with me long after the last note faded, and that’s the mark of an artist who’s doing something real. JERUB doesn’t just sing, he makes you feel present, and that’s rare.