Musical Director Jomo Slusher.
Faith Callendar.
Kellie Cadogan.
A thrilling rendition of “All that Jazz” sung by Nikita featuring the Riddim Dancers opened the Gala concert of the First Citizens Honey Jazz Barbados Festival. Choreographed by Aisha Commissiong, dancers were flying in the air while doing the splits.
The Honey Jazz band infused the Broadway hit with a little reggae flavour to the delight of the audience. With the Central Bank Governor Dr. Delisle Worrell, US Ambassador Linda Taglialetela, and talent scouts for Disney looking on, the artistes wowed the crowd.
In a sentimental moment, producer Ebonnie Rowe introduced 18-year-old Jessica Rose, who years ago attended Honey Jazz through the “sponsor a student” promotion. After watching the show she wrote to Rowe telling her how impacted she was by watching the concert and that “one day it will be me up there”. Years later Rowe was contacted by BCC and asked to mentor Jessica, making her dream come true by offering her a spot in this year’s show where she sang “Besame Mucho”.
The audience was treated to ten artistes singing jazz standards such as “Summertime”, “Round Midnight”, “Sinnerman” and “All of me” made popular by legends Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonius Monk and Lena Horne. The Honey Jazz band, led by Musical Director Jomo Slusher and bandleader Kevyn Lynch, featured instrumentals including John Coltrane’s “In a Sentimental Mood”, Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island and “Cuss Cuss” by local musician Kevin Moore.
Following the concert, the NJ30+ band had the crowd in the palm of their hands for the after-party on the Terrace.
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