A joyful night at ‘the Bass’
Published:Saturday | December 21, 2019 | 12:00 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Hosted at a venue that is acknowledged as the bedrock of Jamaican popular music, ‘Christmas Joy In The Bass’ continued the enduring tradition of the execution of excellent musical productions at the Ambassador Theatre. The ‘Bass’ is the diminutive which respectfully refers to the Trench Town-based institution, where the now legendary Wailers played many a tune and the venue that once hosted the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, a signature Jamaican talent show which gave several artistes ‘a buss’.
On Thursday evening, it was a cadre of young and established acts who joined forces with the organisers, Joy Town Community Development Foundation, in collaboration with Glory Music, to perform for free at this holy grail of Jamaican entertainment venues, and they were as refreshingly enthusiastic as any young blood breathlessly waiting for a chance to show their mettle.
Goodness in the Ghetto
Hosted by hometown boy, Ity Ellis, who was strident in his assertions that “good things come from the ghetto”, the opening act, Mikayla, gave life to his words, with astounding renditions of O Holy Night and Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Other early acts included Marq Johnson, and a young lady named Chevelle Peck, a backup singer who wasn’t billed for the event but who got an opportunity to shine and, in the spirit of Vere Johns, she seized the moment.
Carlene Davis, a woman of God, was one of the headliners of the concert staged by a community of like-minded persons who are keen on communicating a message of hope to the residents of Trench Town and surrounding communities. Carlene’s set was a teaching moment onstage, as she professionally delivered a mix of her gospel repertoire, along with a ‘skanking’ Christmas medley. To the tune of Jingle Bells, Carlene comically flashed her locks and skanked along King Street, on her CB400, and was even joined by her husband and MC, Tommy Cowan. She was naturally delightful and clearly enjoyed herself onstage.
Various levels of energy came from gospel act Lubert Levy, a ball of action, whose signature Puuppa God, resounded through the theatre at intervals. If one closed their eyes briefly and listened, it would have been all too easy to think that it was Toots and the Maytals onstage, because Lubert’s gospel songs are flavoured with the sounds of ska and Toots.
Show closers Kevin Downswell and Jabez had the now full theatre out of their seats, with cell phones in hand capturing the moment.
It was a night on which prayer and a sermonette fully supported the ministry of music, and Pastor Bobby Wilmot gave the charge.
Apologies were offered for entertainers Alaine and Ziggy Soul, who were absent due to illness.