What could be better than a beautiful summer evening and the sounds of live classical and jazz music drifting through the late day atmosphere? That’s what the Rose Quartz Trio brought to Humboldt’s Civic Park on Tuesday evening, June 27. 

The talented combination of husband-and-wife musicians Michele and Kevin Ackerman and clarinetist Dale Avision performed time honoured tunes from the classical world, jazz standards and a nod to more contemporary pop. The trio opened with the apropos “Summertime,” where the living was easy indeed. 

An ethereal opening to the standard, “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” soon picked up to a crisp swing beat. Avision grounded the tune with the woodwind while Michele Ackerman on flute delivered a delightful freeform performance, circling the melody. A nod to Canadiana followed with Neil Young’s beautiful “Harvest Moon” and the Leonard Cohen classic, “Hallelujah.” 

One of Michele’s favourites, an uplifting ditty called “Hang On, Little Tomato” by Portland ensemble Pink Martini, made its way back onto the set list. Kevin took centre stage highlighting his guitar chops on Mason Williams’ pop fusion number, “Classical Gas” and again on the folksy offering by Don McLean, “Vincent.” 

The program took listeners back to the days of Glenn Miller and Woody Herman with “Moonlight Serenade” and a sentimental favourite, “Moon River” by Henry Mancini, immortalized in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” 

The tunes were as diverse as the talent with the three musicians effortlessly taking the audience on a relaxing journey through their music.