Eva Via Releases Joyful Jazz Single “If You Hand Me a Hat While I’m Dancing (Jazz Version)”

Eva Via, the adventurous musician who spends her time surfing, mountain biking, and travelling the world, has released her latest single, If You Hand Me a Hat While I’m Dancing (Jazz Version). A trained psychologist, Via’s music is shaped not only by her life of exploration but also by her understanding of human behaviour. Her sound moves effortlessly between progressive rock, Latin grooves, and jazz, yet every track carries the same sense of joy and wit that makes listeners return again and again.

This new single is no exception. If You Hand Me a Hat While I’m Dancing has been described as “more than unbridled joy. It is New Orleans jazz, straight out of the Stanford Psychology Department.” The song is a unique combination of Via’s research on playfulness and leisure in adulthood and her eclectic musical background.

Her influences are wide-ranging. She draws from classic rock artists such as The Beatles, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and The Eagles, progressive rock bands like Yes and Supertramp, and musical theatre writers, particularly Stephen Sondheim and Jason Robert Brown. She is also fortunate to work with Brazilian percussionist and vibraphone virtuoso João Paulo Drumond, who contributes to her distinctive sound.

While much of Via’s music blends genres, this single is pure New Orleans jazz. The choice reflects her deep connection to the city, where her journey as an artist began. The release is also shaped by a dramatic event in her life. In March 2024, while visiting New Orleans, Via suffered a severe hand injury when it was crushed under a 9,000-pound trailer. She said, “They sewed it back together, and now I am 98% fine. I could have died. Before this, I was a mountain biker and surfer who sometimes performed live and sometimes wrote songs. This experience sparked a passion in me like nothing else before.”

Musically, the single is lively and complex. Trumpet, clarinet, and trombone play together around the joyful melody, supported by a rhythm section including guitar, piano, bass, drums, spoons, and other percussion. The result is a joyful sound that draws on ragtime, blues, gospel, and brass band traditions.

Beneath the energy, the lyrics carry a deeper message about imaginative play in adult life. Many adults struggle to think of ways to play or use their imagination. Via demonstrates that imagination is one of the best ways to feel free and engaged. It can turn a simple basketball game into a championship, spark curiosity about strangers on public transport, or make ordinary routines feel like an adventure.

If You Hand Me a Hat While I’m Dancing is more than a single. It is a celebration of joy, resilience, and the power of imagination. Eva Via’s music shows that life is best enjoyed with creativity, curiosity, and a sense of fun.