Newcomers, veterans share props at tribute concert

Saturday, November 21, 2009 9:39 AM

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Entertainment

By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Both newcomers and veterans gave excellent performances at last Sunday's Jazz in the Gardens at the Pegasus Hotel dubbed Tribute to Our Musical Heroes.

The show didn't sizzle, but neither did it disappoint. With a modest attendance, the event had three fresh acts in Tracey-Ann Brown, Cleveland 'OJ Deru' Cathnott and Kiznet 'Kizzy' Cooper whose performances that while they may have been newcomers to the stage Jazz in the Gardens, they were by no means newcomers to music.

Tony Greene serenading the audience with the strains of Jambalaya ably assisted by Harold Davis around the keyboard along with the rest of his Friends in the background.

They all performed well enough to complement some fine performances from such seasoned artistes like Pam Hall, Tony Greene and Melvin Williams' The Rhythm Construction Band.

Suave, smooth-talking emcee Michael Anthony Cuffe put the audience at ease with his pleasantries in between the satisfying performances from all the acts.
Keyboardist/vocalist Harold Davis along with friends, keyboardist O'Zone, Dale Brown on bass and Dillion Whyte on drums, not only set the tone for what was an entertaining evening but ably provided backing for acts appearing during the first half of the gig.

Although there were signs of nervousness, Tracey-Ann Brown nevertheless showed lots of promise. She started the ball rolling with Human Nature in a voice that grew stronger with each rendition.

Ably assisted by sideman Rudolph 'Rudy' Tomlinson, the repertoire of O J Deru was greatly influenced by John Legend's hit album Get Lifted. The response to O J Deru's short stint, which also included Must Be Nice, suggested that patrons wanted more of him as his vocal delivery was remarkable.

Closing the fresh acts segment in fine style, Kizzy, perhaps the youngest of the famous Coopers (in local music), represented the family name well with pleasing interpretations of Misty, God Bless the Child That Got His Own and Take All of Me.

After a short verbal explanation, saxophonist Tony Greene proved with his horn that he is not an admirer of Wynton Gaynair and the late Sonny Bradshaw for nothing. And his performance of the instrumental classic Jambalaya in tribute to Bradshaw made the point more than any of the other pieces that he performed.

From the very first note of Lately, it was clear that Pam Hall was in her usual impeccable form, gliding effortlessly from song to conversation to song. Hers was an extraordinary performance that was graciously slow and soulful.

One of sweetest reconstructions of the old standard Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White was heard from Melvin Williams and The Rhythm Construction's saxophonist David Cunningham. In between other delightful numbers like Louie Armstrong's Wonderful World and Spyro Gyra's Morning Dance, the Negril-based musical outfit, led by bandleader vibraphonist Williams (on vocals sometimes), Rick Blackwood on keyboard along with Cunningham on sax, also 'reconstructed' a most haunting rendition of Etta James' At Last.

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