Dancehall Vibes - The night when CeCile 'bust' Tamba

Tamba and Cecile at the Little Pub, Ocho Rios. - Dennis Coke

DANCER Tamba, born Christopher Newman, was always known in the Ocho Rios area because he has been dancing there for years. He is also known by the people involved in festival because he has entered the Popular Dance competition several times. All of these moments he has cherished.

However, when deejay CeCile called Tamba on stage the night of the JFM (Jamaica Federation of Musicians Awards), it was different.

"I had a different feeling because it came sudden and I felt that nothing is impossible...CeCile gave me a new bust," Tamba said.

Tamba also recalled that he was standing there at the Little Pub in Ocho Rios, when he felt like being on the show. Unfortunately , he was neither a guest artiste nor one of the awardees.

One thing he does not lack though, and that's courage "I just took a brave heart, went up to her (CeCile) and asked her to call me on stage," he said.

Cecile kept her promise.

Tamba said he had the crowd moving as he did one of his popular dances which resembles the limbo. "This is bending backways while moving my feet in a crab-like manner," he explained.

Tamba has been dancing all his life. "I grew up doing the 'break dance' the 'disco dance' and tried everything else," he recalled.

As he got older he took his craft seriously and began entering the Popular Dance Competitions in festival as a member of the Crazy Boys. The group won awards as Best Senior Group and Best Popular Dance Group over the years. Tamba has also performed at the Tastee Talent Contest, placing second and fourth.

He left the Crazy Boys earlier this year and is now on his own and has been trying new things. Besides dancing, he has become an emcee for stage shows and concerts in Ochio Rios.

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