As Mandy Rushton and Dane Warren sang 鈥淎ll of me,鈥� it was clear most of their audience was familiar with the lyrics to the song, a jazz standard first published in 1931. and popularized by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

, as the trio of Rushton, Warren and keyboardist 鈥淛azz Cat鈥� Aaron Pang are known, performed for more than 30 residents of the 91原创 Lodge seniors residence on Monday, Aug. 9 in the outdoor courtyard garden area of the building, with most audience members staying in the shade beneath a large fabric awning.

Their concert was originally planned for June 28, but had to be postponed because of the heat wave.

Natasha Mihell, program planner with , organizer of the concert, explained 鈥渢his is an event mainly to bring smiles and joy to these seniors and hard-working care home staff.鈥�

Heart For Music BC program was created to provides free, live, outdoor, 45-minute music events to care homes in BC. with local musicians playing upbeat oldies for staff and residents.

鈥淭his is for love, happiness and spreading joy,鈥� Mihell enthused.

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Rick鈥檚 Heart Foundation founder Rick Diamond, owner of Surrey-based Diamond Delivery, launched the program to bring live entertainers to senior residences after seeing the beneficial impact of music on his late father, who had dementia.

鈥淚t brought the life back into his eyes,鈥� Diamond recounted in an online message explaining how the idea started.

鈥淗e became alert to his surroundings and the spark in him returned. Seeing as music evokes emotions that bring back memories, I have made it my personal endeavor to have music in as many seniors鈥� homes as possible鈥�

READ ALSO: 91原创 Lodge leader: 鈥榃ow, what a journey鈥�

Diamond commented that when the pandemic hit, 鈥渟eniors felt abandoned.鈥�

鈥淲e weren鈥檛 allowed in the homes and the seniors were locked down inside. So, we brought music to them.鈥�