Anthea McGibbon

DAY 7: Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival retitled Art of Music
Saturday was the night to remember

Some of the patrons new to the Art of Music attraction might have wondered why Hall and Oates were billed, but when they took the stage perhaps the world’s most popular pop duo soon got everyone connected. They transformed patrons who had till then stood still in anticipation, after some made them welcome with wild applaud, as the third to last act closing the week of jazzy activities at the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium.
Crossing age barriers and converting jazz purists, they fiddled with their guitars, and belted favourite tunes, all of which kept the audience in a mesmerising sing along.
Saturday night was made the night to remember as the simple elegance of the blooming roses Gladys Knight, Marion “Lady Saw” and Marion Hall, against the hard edges of the men who were sharp in their performances were a perfect tribute.

DEXTER GRANDISON PHOTO: Chairman of the West Indian section of the Commonwealth Press Union and president of the Inter-American Press Association, and managing director of the Gleaner Company Oliver F Clarke and wife, Monica, greets Anthea McGibbon on the final day of Art of Music, formerly Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.

The night was one of distinguished performances. The glamours for the night were Seretse Small, Gladys Knight, Lady Saw, then Jon Secada, Hall and Oates, Gladys Knight returned, and the main stage signature performances ended with Third World.

Jazz sensation Gladys Knight stirred more than emotions when she smoothly delivered favourites like her 1961 hit Life Story, and performed unselfishly in both appearances on stage. The grammy award winner in her own way was convenient in her first appearance. Graceful, she willingly shared the spotlights with the local dancehall talent Marion Hall, known as Jamaica dancehall’s “Lady Saw” who opened the night.

All shimmery herself, Hall, who before impressed with “Brown Eyes Blue”, revealed the classy ‘Lady’ within, again in singing “No Less Than A Woman”. Only a hint of the dancehall “Saw” emerged to withdraw acknowledgements of her dual role in the music world, when as Lady Saw she offered “Sycamore” and “Healing.”
The unique signature performances rising adrenelin, from the main stage, were pop duo Hall and Oates, to Latin-heart beat Cuban-born Jon Secada and Third World who warmed the otherwise cold night to the highs of “96 Degrees in the Shade.”
A moment of climax came during the night, with Hall and Oates inviting the support of Billy Ocean and Maxi Priest for renditions of a few favourites before the group together did Manhattan’s Soul Train.

Before that Hall and Oates played on the finer strings of their human receivers rendering hits like Family Man and of course, and exceptional guitar performances equally matching Cuban Jon Secada’s vocals and flawless dance movements.
When Gladys Knight returned on stage, she again shared spotlight, but this time it was in her rendering Teddy Prendergast’s “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” tightening love knots. This of course was strategically placed among a few of her favourites such as “Stop in the Name of Love” “My Guy”, “Let’s Shout”, “Let’s Dance” in her flow of messages. The crowd at her second appearance chanted for more of the Knight to the requests of emcee Paula Ann Porter, who very well knew what the answers would have been. So more she delivered Gladys-style – “Goodbye” and “I Will Survive”.
After a welcomed over 2-hour intake of Gladys, patrons exhaled during a 15-minute break, but crowded again for Third World, who some who claimed to be of another generation got a chance to take in. By the end of the act which closed the week, even these “younger generation members” were intoxicated on culture by the Third World group, now focused on bringing about adept recognition and respect for culture and culture icons starting with their newest album ‘Patriots’.
Of course, “Now that we’ve found love” with the playful Bunny directing segments of musical interludes, patrons knew exactly what to do afterwards — wait in anticipation for next year all over again for a new orgasmic week of Jazzing with Elmore and a few good musicians.
This year though Saturday night continued with more ‘younger’ artistes emerging on the talent stage, while at the Smirnoff tent deejays pumped dancehall tunes to temper insatiable appetites for “Spirits of Jazz”. They fully quenched the thirst of younger patrons and those who were young at heart, as few patrons seized last minute opportunities to grab a souvenir ware.
Tunes included “Put yuh money where you mouth deh”, Tek Dih Bwoy outta mih life” and there was a lively calypso train going around the room. Then for yet another night in the Smirnoff tent, even sceptic onlookers went wild with Vegas “I’m Blessed”, and Ding Dong’s “Holiday.”
During the week top buzzes were of performances by Baby face, Trinidadian Machel Montano, Monty Alexander, Maxi Priest, Billy Ocean.

SPONSORS:
Ibostar, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamrock, Air Jamaica, Flow, Fame, CVM, Gleaner, Half Moon, Riu, Holiday Inn, Miladium, Sunset Beach, Jamaica Pegasus, Courts, Jablum, Hype, RE, 106, Heineken, Klas, RJR, Hype TV.

READ MORE:
Jazzing Walter Elmore Style
Third world celebrates 37 years
Arts in harmony in Jamaica
Hanging with Billy Ocean
Questions for Jon Secada
[En espanol] Una Charla con Jon Secada
Saturday night was the night to remember
What loyal patrons say
Art of music now a timeless event

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art of music, gladys knight, jazz and blues, monty alexander, Third World, trelawny multi purpose stadium