Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Benjy Myaz thrilled the audience with his vocals and guitar skills at 'Jazz in the Gardens', at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Sunday. - PHOTOS BY ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
AS SEPTEMBER gathers together its autumnal garbs, hurtling the island toward cooler months, last Sunday was time for another instalment of 'Jazz in the Gardens' by the gazebo at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. The night's feature act was the South African songstress Lorraine Klassen who, together with Benji Myers, made the night a memorable event.
Desi Jones and Friends, featuring Jones on drums, O'zouné on keyboards and Dale Haslam on bass, warmed up the evening by touching on childhood memories. Then it was time for Benji Myers, backed by Haslam and Jones with Andrew Young and Othneil Lewis on keyboards, to bring more heat to the night. Though he had been introduced by host Michael Anthony Cuffe with focus on his success as a cabaret singer, Myers' performance was split between his skills as a guitarist and as a vocalist.
He began with an instrumental rendition of My Girl and swung through to performances of Love Will Find a Way and People Make the World Go Round. Myaz also delivered from his upcoming album Long Story Short before bringing his set to a close with I Love You Higher.
When Cuffe attempted to adequately describe Myaz's charm and skill, the audience quickly volunteered their opinion, yelling "fantastic", "awesome" and "fabulous" repeatedly. He was brought back to do an encore for which he presented What You Won't Do For Love.
Klassen brought forth a thrilling performance that blended South African classics with jazz standards. Backed by Desi Jones and Friends, she launched her spirited performance with Bye Bye Black Bird.
HAMPERING EFFECT
Though Klassen's performance was filled with favourites, it was her personality, which shone through brilliantly as she often changed the words of songs and chatted with the audience. Though she complained about the hampering effect of the carpet placed before the stage, it did not keep her from dancing up a storm. As such, her performance highlighted both her agile vocals, legs and waistline as she danced, frolicked and even mock-posed for the cameramen.
One woman constantly repeated, "She's so naughty", throughout Klassen's performance as the singer flirted expertly and skirted being overly suggestive. One moment of hilarity came as she complained of being hot, which resulted in Cuffe being placed on sweat removal duty, wiping her brow with great efficiency.
One gentleman found himself at the business end of Klassen's wit when he suggested that removing her jacket might help cool her down. "No baby, I'm a lady. I don't undress for strangers. I sing for you," she said to the audience's delight.
Klassen has given several performances on the island over the past few years, largely through the Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. Her repertoire, which included Patta Patta, Maliaca, The Click Song and Boy From Ipenema, remained largely the same. Klassen herself looked quite different, however. Her usual African garb inclusive of head wrap had been cast aside and instead her head was crowned with curly tresses. Klassen also performed Georgia, Summertime, A Foggy Day in London Town and All of Me.
For her finale, she brought back Myers. Myers retrieved his electric guitar for the occasion and together they delivered a wonderful rendition of The Blues which featured both of them scatting and free styling in a witty, flirtatious repartee. It was the end of a great night of jazz, in the gardens.
