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Knowing that the concert was being recorded started the performance with a hesitant crowd-performer dynamic. The audience didn't really know how to respond, and Jason was trying too hard to make the setting natural. From the start, he kept repeating how it wasn't a big deal that he was recording and that everyone should "act normal." The fact that he kept bringing it up though, made the performance initially less "normal." The audience was certainly aware that all of their cheers and clapping were being picked up on the recording. At the same time, Jason knew that he didn't have a lot of room to mess up.
Although everyone had a hard time relaxing at the beginning, the charismatic musician from North Carolina eventually broke the ice by playing a Christina Aguilera cover song, "I Am Beautiful." Everyone there would agree that hearing a male guitarist play this song was both a unique and comical experience. Thrown in with the Aguilera cover was a brief medley that also included, "My milkshake" and "Baby got back," also atypical songs for a John Mayer-like performer. The performance elicited a great crowd response, and the second half of the concert achieved the naturalness that the musician hoped for.
Jason LeVasseur was born in the U.S. and is currently based out of North Carolina. He spent most of his childhood in Mexico and Belgium, only returning to the states for college. Jason has a broad perspective on the world having studied multiple languages and traveled extensively. He claims that his playing style and life philosophy is influenced by his international experiences.
Jason's sound was very reminiscent of John Mayer with a "gritty, soulful quality." His style has been described by critics as having a "charismatic propulsive acoustic pop sound." His success is derived from an ability to combine creative and amusing lyrics with memorable and catchy melodies. The musician is currently touring as a solo artist and plays at venues around the country, even in elementary schools, as he explained to us. In 2004 he was awarded Campus Activities Magazine 2004 Reader's Choice Award for Best Musical Performer and 2003 Best Small Venue Performer. His reputation is certainly growing as a talented musician and performer!