By Michael Reckord, Contributor 
Judy Emmanuel delivering an outstanding performance at Professionals In Cabaret concert, held at Hilton Kingston Hotel on Sunday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
CHRISTINE HEWITT loves to chat. She not only declared this, several times, but demonstrated it at Sunday night's 'Professionals In Cabaret' concert at Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston.
Hewitt, the MC for the occasion, talked so much between items that what should have been a three-and-a-half hour show lasted from 6:30 p.m. until 11:25 p.m.
Her chatter was amusing however and because of her wit and ebullient personality, she had the nearly full ballroom laughing continually.
And even when the audience members weren't laughing - when Hewitt was delivering a serious message - they were entertained. The serious included comments on the island's crime situation; the comic included incidents from Hewitt's childhood and the entertainment tours she and other performers had made abroad. But although she was fun to listen to, she went on too long.
There were in all more than 20 performers, other than Hewitt - she deserves the title, for she 'emceed', gave jokes and danced. This figure included members of the bands, Fab 5, which accompanied most of the singers and 50/50.
The latter aggregation, which comprises professionals who play music as a hobby, consists of musical director Jimmy Moss-Solomon, Aggrey Irons, Peter Couch, Karen Marr-Bruce and Robbie Robinson. On Sunday, songwriter and guitar player Wayne Armond was 50/50's special guest.
Fab 5 also had a special guest guitarist, Rupert Bent Sr., a well known, experienced musician. His two jazzy, Spanish-flavoured pieces, played on two different guitars, showed off his dazzling finger work.
A FIFTH APPEARANCE
Arguably the most enjoyable act, among the many other fine ones, was that of INSPORTS Executive Director, Ian Andrews. The fact that he was making his fifth appearance at the annual event indicates how well he performs.
One of his strengths is his versatility. Andrews not only delivered a number of songs in his own excellent, natural baritone, but he also impersonated - with much humour - a number of famous singers (living and dead) and a radio announcer introducing them. The announcer in question was Neville Willoughby and the impersonated singers were Billy Eckstine, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Louis Armstrong, Roy Shirley, Gregory Isaacs and Count Prince Miller.
Other singers who performed well were Emerson Henry, Judy Emmanuel, Marsha Smith, Michael Godfrey, Heather Cummings, Hugo Barrington and Maria Myrie.
Not all those who entertained were singers. Dr. Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart was his usual energetic, amusing self with his deejay numbers, including one which chronicled his life from street boy to university graduate. On show, too, were dancers: the 'Legs Man' Silvera Castro who, with his partner, demonstrated some old-time dance moves; and Althea Brown and her partner, Dexter, who displayed their salsa steps and twists.
FASHION SHOW
A fashion show for tall and full-figured women added to the evening's visual component. It featured six good-looking models - whose names, the MC stated repeatedly, were not to be called wearing gorgeous tie-dye outfits designed by Dean Chung.
A superbly professional, highly enjoyable job was done by Fab 5 under the combined leadership of Frankie Campbell and Grub Cooper. The band not only showed its musical breadth and depth in accompanying the singers with their several styles, but it paid tribute to reggae immortal Bob Marley with the performance of a number of his songs.
Generally speaking, music and laughter overflowed at the concert and a good time was had by all, even those who had to leave because the end was so long in coming.
