Fever, Friends, and Finals Season: Mariana Hernandez Reimagines Jazz Standards for Her Pre-Thesis Show

Pictures and article by Val Hernández

Bogotá, Colombia — What began as a slightly delayed, nerve-filled soundcheck turned into an emotional, musically rich night at Mr Bum Audiobar in Bogotá’s Usaquén district on 27 May. Vocal jazz took centre stage as Mariana Hernández — supported by a full band and a stunning nine-woman vocal ensemble — delivered a pre-thesis concert that was equal parts workshop, showcase, and celebration.

Mariana Hernández, main vocalist

Billed to begin at 7:30pm, the performance didn’t officially start until 8:15, following a frazzled soundcheck during which Mariana, clearly under pressure, was nebulising throughout. Given that this show was a trial run for her upcoming university thesis presentation on 22 June, the nerves were understandable. The evening’s concept? To present original vocal arrangements of jazz standards in choral form—a rare and technically demanding feat within the genre.

​​Mr Bum Audiobar, with its dark wood accents, dim lighting, and smoky warmth, is a haven for music lovers. The venue’s in the cultural bit of Usaquén and it’s really cosy — probably a bit too small for Mariana’s whole group, to be honest. The sound was spot on though (the choir didn’t even need mics), but moving around was a bit of a pain ’cause it’s so cramped. The narrow doors and tight walkways don’t really help if you’ve got access needs either. It also felt like they weren’t ready for that many people — there wasn’t enough food for everyone and you could tell they were on a tight budget. 

​The entry cover was $35,000 COP (around £7 or €8), which felt a bit steep considering the venue’s constraints. Still, Mr Bum has its charms. Outside the main restaurant area, they sell vinyl records, cassettes, turntables, and tobacco— lending the place a creative, analogue spirit that pairs well with its jazzy atmosphere.

Isabella Ruiz (L) and Diana Valentina Quinones (R), two of Mariana's friends and singers

Everyone on stage wore black, underscoring the serious, academic tone of the project. The backing band — just guys on piano, guitar, bass and drums — kept things nice and subtle, never overdoing it. But the real stars were the singers: nine women, including Mariana herself, whose harmonies just drifted through the room so effortlessly.

They opened with a showstopper: ‘Everybody Wants to Be a Cat’, originally written by Floyd Huddleston and Al Rinker for The Aristocats (1970), famously performed by Scatman Crothers. Mariana’s arrangement began as a silky a cappella number before bursting into full-band swing. The interpretation was elegant, playful, and vocally tight — an instant mood-setter. Next up was ‘Fever’, that sultry tune written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (who went by John Davenport at the time). Little Willie John made it a hit first, then Peggy Lee turned it into a classic — it’s basically a must-have in any vocal jazz set. Mariana called her version “sexier” and “a bit simpler”, allowing room for instrumental solos and proving that restraint can be just as expressive as complexity.

‘East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)’ composed by Brooks Bowman in 1934, is a beloved jazz standard covered by artists from Frank Sinatra to Diana Krall. Mariana introduced it as the song that inspired her to study music — part of the notoriously challenging “Tillman list” at her university — and dedicated it to the friends who’ve been with her since the beginning. One of them, Natalia, took the solo. Mariana also mentioned that her 18-year-old sister, Manuela, helped her put together the vocalise, which made it feel even more personal.

Paola Molano, one of Mariana's friends and singers

After that, the group tackled ‘Four’ by Miles Davis — a proper bebop classic with quick changes and plenty of space to improvise. Two of the singers stepped up for solos, weaving their lines in and out of the group so naturally. It was easily one of the night’s most impressive moments. 

The big emotional peak came with ‘You Must Believe in Spring’, written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Originally recorded by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, it’s a melancholic ballad with a quiet, lingering power. Performed by Mariana and the pianist alone, the piece served as a personal “comeback” -- a re-do of her final college vocal exam, where she felt it hadn’t gone to plan. This time, it came across so soft and beautiful — you could really feel it in the room.

All through the night, the singers shared little stories about working with Mariana, which made the whole thing feel even more personal and close-knit. They held back a few songs for Mariana’s official thesis show, but the crowd was so into it that they ended up doing a fun encore of ‘Everybody Wants to Be a Cat’.

Mariana's friends backstage

Cheers and applause rang out as the show wrapped at 9pm. One especially moving moment followed: the father of one ensemble member stepped forward to hug Mariana, visibly touched by the performance. Instead of just heading backstage, Mariana did something you don’t see every day — she went round every table, chatting to people and genuinely listening to what they had to say. It was such a lovely, heartfelt thing to do, and it summed up the whole night perfectly: thoughtful, open, and full of warmth. Fun fact: every vocal arrangement performed — including the scatting solos — was written by Mariana herself over the course of just five to six months. That alone is impressive. And she did it all while fighting off a cold.

About the artist
Mariana Hernández is a 24-year-old Colombian vocalist specialising in jazz. With over a decade of musical training, she is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in music at Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. Her career highlights include performing for Pope Francis during his 2017 visit to Colombia, representing the country at the Festival Canta al Mar in Spain, and appearing twice at Teatro Colón de Bogotá with lyrical choirs —once as a featured soloist. Her work has drawn praise from international artists such as Sofia Ribeiro, Lizzy McAlpine, and Juan Luis Guerra. She is set to graduate this autumn.

Update: After presenting her official thesis on June 22nd, Mariana successfully completed her studies with an outstanding GPA of 4.3 over 5, with her final thesis grade being a 4.8.

View the full gallery here: Mariana Hernández - 27.05.25