THE JAMAICA/OCHO RIOS Jazz Festival inducted five print journalists into its Hall of Fame, for outstanding contribution to music and in particular the propagation of the jazz idiom. Those receiving awards included Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor at The Gleaner, Basil Walters of the Jamaica Observer, Ossie Clarke, freelance writer, G. Fitz Bartley (posthumously) and Hartley Neita, Gleaner contributor.
The ceremony was held at the Awards and Concert Night, in the Windsor Ballroom, Renaissance Jamaica Grand Hotel on Saturday night.
The night's presentation included some of the world's finest jazz and blues artistes. The high-powered team included exponents of traditional, contemporary jazz and blues - Dave Frank, piano; Irene Reid, blues singer; and the Charles Earland Band with headliner James Moody. This impressive line-up of high calibre artistes marks the continued significant evolution in conventional music productions.
The night's offerings spanned the soul and emotions of Irene Reid, to the consciousness-raising realism of James Moody.
It was remarkable that after many decades Irene Reid is still selling-out concert venues and is popular, even among the young. Irene who hails from the Savannahs, Georgia, began her Jazz career as a church singer in New York.
"My gift is one from the good Lord," she told The Gleaner in an interview. This gem of a woman had no formal training in music. She appeared at the Apollo theatre in Harlem on five times for auditions and eventually was accepted.
Since her debut appearance, she has never looked back. Irene is making some of the nicest music in the "autumn" of her career. She performed nearly all old favourites and demonstrated her obsession with beautiful memories, especially of those who were very close to her. She pulled on the energy of the "Burner", her late brother.
As the elegant 60-something women stood bedecked in a lovely floral appliquéd-yellowish, greenish outfit with matching slipper and with a resplendent yellow cap and a style which compelled immediate attention.
She graphically told of her encounter with life tragedies, especially with her rendition Mama You Treat Your Daughter Mean" and The One-eyed Man. She has an outstanding and contagious sense of humour.
Then, it was time for the James Moody and his trio with Rene Rosnes, piano; Ruffus Reid, bass; and Billy Drummond, drummer.
The set presented was varied and entertaining. James gave a good mix of jazz rhythms and also shared his comedic experiences with the audience. James is known as the maestro of improvisation worldwide.
The 75-year-old James showed his versatility and demonstrated agility (dressed in outrageous orange-coloured slacks outfit), imaginative skills, coupled with an astute flair for interpretation. He made lovers of jazz music sit up and take note. He was ably assisted by professional backing from his ensemble, especially the piano artistry of Rosnes. Her tetra-chords and sweeping chromatic scales thrilled the audience.
The chemistry between James and his ensemble has everything to do with his ability to trust his inner strength as an artistic resource. A very crucial ingredient of James' longevity is the use of lyrics and expertise at playing the saxophone and flute.
Dave Frank too was quite entertaining. He performed with some amount of freshness and vibrancy.
The evening's Awards and Concert show was ably guided by emcee Don Topping.
Congratulations to the organisers of the festival for affording lovers of jazz the opportunity to witness yet another great jazz exposition.
