- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson makes a presentation to Barbadian saxophonist Arturo Tappin at his annual Independence Gala, in celebration of Jamaica's 43rd year of Independence at Jamaica House grounds last Saturday night.
Gareth Manning, Gleaner Writers
IT WAS an event of cool, cool Bob Marley melodies under the stars at Jamaica House Saturday night, as some of music's finest performers and folk groups and Jamaica, paid tribute to the king of reggae at the Prime Minister's annual Independence gala.
While not attracting the audience of the previous year, the specially selected array of talent was enthralling.
Patrons were first entertained with a rendition of the national anthem on piano, by Jamaica's own internationally acclaimed classical pianist, and award recipient, Orrett Rhoden. A very captivating opening ensemble followed, combining the performances of multiple National Festival Song winner Roy Rayon, the Carifolk Singers, the National Gymnast Squad and the acclaimed L'Acadco Dance Company.
But a performance from the only non-Jamaican awardee, Arturo Tappin, was definitely the highlight of the night.
The Barbados-born graduate of the famed Berkely College Music Programme, showed exactly why he was regarded as the "saxiest horns man in the Caribbean". His clear unblemished delivery on both clarinet and flute, left the audience in a trance. This was further enhanced when he was joined by cabaret singer, Judi Emanuel, in a rendition of Bob Marley's 'Guava Jelly.'
OTHER PERFORMANCES
Other commendable performances came from Roy Rayon, Judy Mowatt, Peter Ashbourne and Ashes, L' Acadco and roots reggae group Culture.
Roy Rayon seemed to have caused a brief power outage with his high voltage performance of "Give Thanks and Praise," just one in a medley of popular festival songs. This had the crowd in a frenzy as he sang throughout the outage.
Judy Mowatt shifted the focus starting her performance with a prayer for Jamaica. The artiste who toured the world with Bob Marley as part of his ensemble, topped the evening with a plea for God to "Heal our Land" before rendering the song "Black Woman".
She also paid tribute to her "sister" Rita Marley, widow of the late superstar. Mowatt dedicated the the song "No Woman No Cry" to the woman many hailed as preserver of the Marley legacy.
The night's awardees were very pleased with their accolades. Widow of the late singer, Rita Marley, who accepted her husband's award, told the Gleaner she was elated that his contributions were yet again being recognised by Jamaica.
"I'm just so happy," she said. "I just arrived from Ghana last night and I am just feeling very happy about this."
PLEASED
Arturo Tappin was quite pleased with his plaque also.
"It is always a pleasure to play in Jamaica. I am glad that the Prime Minister has honoured me with this award because I have played at the Air Jamaica Jazz Festival and so many others on the North Coast," he told the Gleaner.
More thanks were in order for Bob Marley, as his former lighting director, turned lecturer/film producer, Neville Garrick thanked the Prime Minister and audience on behalf of all the awardees.
"Thank you brother Bob. All we have to do is live the word Bob Marley spoke and Jamaica will be number one," he said.
