Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Rupert Bent Snr. and Cindy Breakspeare, performed at the opening day of the 15th staging of the Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival as one of the couples who were romantically and musically linked. Other performers included Susan and Peter Couch, Rosina Moder and Peter Asbouurne, and Karen Smith who performed as one half of a couple. Her husband, Jackie Jackson was reported to have been on tour at the time. - FILE
THREE AND a half couples were a part of the opening day of the 15th staging of the Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival on Sunday, June 12. The opening day of the nine-day festival was in its usual home in the Almond Tree Gardens, Hibiscus Lounge in Ocho Rios. The day was pleasant, despite the heat, but it was far from thrilling.
Nonetheless, organisers continued to attempt variety to keep the festival fresh. A part of that was the wives and lovers segment which, as host, Keith Brown, described, features couples who are musically and romantically linked. The segment featured short performances of two or three songs, which quite frankly proved to be too short a taste.
Karen Smith, the half, was the first up. She was initially scheduled to perform with her husband bass player Jackie Jackson. However, the audience was advised that Jackson was touring and so Smith would be going it solo. She however had The Jamaica Big Band to back her up and so it was by no means a lonely stint which started with a little Latin flavour and ended with My Baby Just Cares For Me.
Cindy Breakspeare and Rupert Bent followed with a combination of smooth vocals courtesy of Breakspeare and guitar by Bent. The duo began with Smile Though Your Heart is Breaking eased through to My Boy Lollipop then cruised to an end with I Wish You Love.
There was an extended break so that the next couple, Susan and Peter Couch could set up their keyboards. Together, with Susan delivering both vocals and piano they delivered three pieces. The first was After That Nothing a piece taken from Susan Couch's first solo album Lifeline.
The couple then turned to A Little More Love which was first recorded eight years ago. In the song, Susan Couch reveals and deals with the ups and down of marriage, an issue she claimed to understand after 22 years of marriage. The couple ended with the lilting ballad Lifeline.
The final couple to the podium was Rosina Moder on recorder and Peter Ashbourne on keyboards. The two delivered only two pieces beginning with When You Love. They ended with a special request by the festival's founder and organiser Sonny Bradshaw, Swinging Shepherd Blues.
The day, which began in the early afternoon also included performances by the Jamaica Big Band, Diamara Neil, Unique Vision, Joe Sizemore Overboard and Friends, and Ginetta's Vendetta.
The festival continues throughout the week with events in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Treasure Beach. Along with free concerts in Ocho Rios and the Entertainment Manager's Cocktails at the Almond Tree Hibiscus Lounge. Kingston events include the University of Technology Blues concert and a Night at Redbones Blues Café both tonight. South Coast Jazz will take the festival to Treasure Beach on Friday and Saturday. The Festival culminates on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19, returning to the Almond Tree Gardens, Ocho Rios.
