Michael Reckord, Contributor

Pianist Harold Butler performs at 'Three Nights of Music at its Best', at the School of Music, Edna Manley College, last Friday. - Photos by Colin Hamilton

Dubbed 'Three Nights of Music at its Best' a weekend festival of jazz, pop and classical music started, inauspiciously, at the School of Music, Edna Manley College, on Friday.

The start was unpromising because: it was half-an-hour late, the National Anthem was sung without musical accompaniment, despite the presence of numerous musicians and instruments, and only the first verse was sung. (Protocol demands that when the anthem is sung at public events both verses should be sung; however, if instruments only play it, one verse is sufficient.)

Happily, things got better, and a satisfied audience filed out of the music school's auditorium when the concert ended more than three hours later.

They had been entertained by many promising students of the school and three well-known professionals. The latter were guitarist and band leader Maurice Gordon and singer Michael Harris, both lecturers at the school, and a special guest, pianist Harold Butler.

Good music

Butler was part of the Maurice Gordon and Friends band which played two fine jazz numbers early in the show, thus giving a promise of good music to come and wiping out any annoyance the disappointingly small audience might have had over the delayed opening.

The band was followed by student Everton Williams (piano), being very self-indulgent in his playing of His Eye is on the Sparrow and Linstead Market. So embellished was practically every phrase of the tunes, that the melodies were almost unrecognisable. Kenroy Mullings (guitar) and Friends did a similar exercise with Amazing Grace some minutes later.

The first vocalist for the evening was student Romona Lawla who was confident and in good voice singing Moon Dance and Lullaby of Birdland.

Also good was student Adrian Hemans (piano) as he and a student drummer performed their two numbers, one a version of the jazz standard Take the A Train.

Next up was the humorous Leonardo McFarlane who informed the audience that Voice was his "second instrument," Percussion being his first, and proceeded to demonstrate that he had a fine voice as he sang Georgia and Newness.

Robert showed himself competent but not outstanding on the saxophone, and Makela Young (vocalist) did a too-gimmicky Fly Me to the Moon, and a spirited Route 66.

Gordon, who was initially on bass, returned on guitar and with his students, again raised the quality of the music with Softly, in the Evening Sunset and a foot-tapping folk tune.

Delighted audience

Kenroy Mullings on guitar at 'Three Nights of Music at its Best'.

With Gordon backing him on guitar, Harris gave his Voice students something to aspire to as he delighted the audience with superb versions of Stardust and Summertime.

The latter, done in up-tempo jazz style, was full of vocal and instrumental flourishes and the interpretation earned enthusiastic applause.

An attractive Abby-Gaye Dallas (vocalist), with three back-up singers, was dramatic with Call Tyrone and sexy with Fever.

Butler and Gordon and his 'Friends' then returned for a scintillating session of jazz and reggae. The infectious music had most of the audience swaying, tapping and nodding in their seats.

Singer Adora Bennett ended the concert on a good note. She seemed nervous and stiff for her first two songs, Satin Doll and Boy From Ipanema but, voice warmed up and clearly feeling more relaxed, she delivered her third and final song, Fine an' Mellow, with confidence.

The three-day music festival was part of the school's fundraising efforts. Day 2 featured pop music and on Day 3, Sunday, the focus was on classical music.