Updated: 08/21/2009 9:58 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Vineeta Sawkar

SAWKAR: Mraz at Ginkgo Coffeehouse

We weren't allowed to take pictures although a publicist did send me an approved picture. We weren't allowed to take video. 

Instead, about 50 Jason Mraz fans got to hear him play an acoustic set at Gingko Coffeehouse in St. Paul on Thursday afternoon. I was one of those lucky people. I raced over there right after the midday show.

My good friend Maggie O'Reilly invited me. The owner of the coffee shop Kathy Sundberg  was gracious enough to let us come. Mraz chose her coffeehouse on a recommendation and it was the perfect venue for the laid back half hour session. He took requests from the crowd. His set included I'm Yours and Lucky but I also really enjoyed the song The Longest Day.

There is something so simple about seeing an artist this way. He didn't even use a microphone. He did have some of his band members sing with him which was a nice touch as we watched him strum on his guitar.

He was funny and quite personable and the entire afternoon was really memorable. It's nice to see musicians reach back to their roots and do smaller venues so they don't lose sight of why they entered the business to begin with.