Jazz, No Chasers lights up Portland

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

DRAPERS, Portland:

It was a favourable turnout of patrons who were neatly seated at the outdoor candle-lit lounge at the Jamaica Palace Hotel in Portland to celebrate the Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival, a full moon hovering.

Held Saturday night, less than four hours before the start of Father's Day, a steel band set the place on fire.

Candles lit in bamboo holders glowed in the centre of carefully arranged tables, while lush vegetation created the perfect ambience at the event called Jazz Straight, No Chasers.

A fashion show, which followed shortly after, also brought about screams and appreciation from the gathering as men and women clad in carefully designed African outfits paraded.

Small fire

But with the night floating away, an electrical short circuit, which resulted in a small fire, halted proceedings for the better part of 15 minutes, delaying the performance of Earl Davis and Friends.

The show, however, restarted after the fire was extinguished.

Even then, patrons eagerly awaited the band's delivery. The performance was awesome!

Playing several renditions including the popular Mona Lisa, Bob Marley's I shot the sheriff, pieces from international songwriter and singer, George Benson, the band kept the place alive for more than an hour and a half.

Another of the high points of the festival were the specially prepared meals, which included jerked chicken, escoveiched fish, barbecued chicken, roasted breadfruit, and goat head soup. Not to be outdone, the refreshment area, strategically located near the centre of the venue, provided a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Sponsors of the event included CVM TV, Air Jamaica, Sunset Resorts, Stewarts Auto, Kool FM Radio, Best FM Radio, and The Gleaner.