By Tanya Batson-Savage, Staff Reporter
Shanique gives a relaxed delivery during the early stages of her performance, which grew in momentum last Wednesday at Red- bones The Blues Café, New Kingston. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THOUGH SHE is quite a far way from reaching the raving popularity of 'Divadom', and her voice has yet some way to go, Shanique Sinclair did a great job of winning the audience at Redbones the Blues Café, Braemar Avenue, New Kingston on Wednesday, with her debut performance.
The Gleaner caught up with her at the end of her performance, when she had treated the audience to a wonderful line-up and a good voice all wrapped up in charming facetiousness.
Shanique only recently celebrated her 16th birthday on August 3. Interestingly, the opportunity to headline at Redbones came via a friend's 16th birthday celebrations. Shanique explained that while attending a dinner party for her friend at Redbones, in June, her friends encouraged her to sing. After the performance the cafe's manager, Melissa Gordon, approached her about performing at Redbones.
Although she said yes to the idea, Shanique says that she did not treat it seriously. She noted that it was not until her mother, Georgia Cobran, took over, that the show became a real possibility.
"I just thought she was so talented that she deserved a little exposure," Gordon said by way of explaining why she invited Shanique to perform. "She is very young mind you, but very talented."
Both of these aspects were in evidence during Shanique's Wednesday night performance. Delving into the classics and mixing them with modern tunes, she performed Floetry's Say Yes; Roberta Flack's Killing Me Softly; Norah Jones' Don't Know Why and Fly Me To The Moon.
Despite its being around for several decades, Shanique discovered jazz only a few months ago. Shanique explains that because of that, she was very worried about her performance. Fortunately, one would not be able to tell that this was so from her performance.
Her ignorance of the genre was not because she had been deafened by the booming, bopping beats of hip hop and dancehall. Although she admits to listening to both genres, Shanique says that she has always had a greater affinity for classical music but she believes that performing jazz is the path she is most likely to follow.
WEIRD
Her mother confirms her love for classical music, which began years ago. "I remember Pavarotti came here and performed," Georgia says "and she (Shanique) said, 'Mommy, I so wanted to see him perform. I love that man.' I thought, this child is so weird."
Whether or not Georgia thought Shanique was strange for loving classical music, she cannot hold back her pride in her daughter as she speaks. "I'm so overwhelmed with joy," she says. Georgia was proud of her daughter's ability to please the crowd as well as perform hosting duties. "I think she kinda has my personality, more to the extreme," Georgia explains. Shanique had displayed quite a bit of personality during the show, especially in her role as the evening's host.
Both her parents were present at the show, and Shanique had made a point of thanking them for their support. As a part of her thanks, she dedicated a song to each. To her father, Dr. Westford Sinclair, she dedicated Fly Me To The Moon, while Georgia was dedicated to her mother.
Impressively, Shanique's performance did not show that she was suffering from a cold, though she sniffled during the interview. As she spoke with The Gleaner, excited friends and family came over to either offer congratulations or merely scream excitedly.
Despite the success of the show, singing is still a secondary dream. Having recently graduated from Campion's fifth form, Shanique at the time of the show was awaiting the results of seven Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations. It has also not wavered her desire to pursue a career in law. However, she notes that she would like to pursue singing part-time.
