Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Left: Rosemary Phillips from Barbados performing at 'Jazz in the Gardens' at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday. Right: Bobby 'Inspector Madden' Smith was one of the performers at 'Jazz in the Gardens'. - PHOTOS BY NATHANIEL STEWART/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
A TASTE of standards brought the February instalment of the monthly Jazz in the Gardens showcase to a satisfying close on Sunday night. Barbadian Rosemarie Phillips, who was celebrating the one-year anniversary of her first performance in Jamaica, was the night's main act.
Her repertoire was filled to the brim with the warming comfort of renditions of jazz standards. She began with Night and Day then moved easily into the haunting Stormy Weather. "I love the jazz standards by the way," she told the audience. Of course, that was quite evident.
Phillips then delivered a tribute to Josephine Baker with It's All Right By Me followed by the haunting beauty of Georgia and then the lively and infectious Paper Moon.
She also delivered, in French, the title track from her forthcoming album L'amour Comme Ça (Love Live That). This piece was followed by her original composition When My Man Can't Decide, which she promptly declared was not based on her own life. Interestingly, the song bears the mark of Phillips' fondness for standards as its rich melody could have easily placed the song in the repertoire of one of the jazz divas of yore.
BEAUTIFUL RENDITION
Phillips ended her performance with a piece which took her back to her homeland as she delivered a beautiful rendition of Gabby's folk song Bridgetown Market.
The night's performers were backed by dynamic Kathy Brown and Friends, featuring Kathy Brown on keyboards, Denver Smith on Congas, Desi Jones on trap set, Seretse Small on guitar and Aeion Hoilette on bass. Along with their accompanying duties, the band also delivered a terrific solo performance that beautifully highlighted the talent of its members.
A TOUR OF WONDERLAND
Sabrina Williams took the audience on a tour of wonderland with the piece 'Land of Make Believe' where Snow White, Jack and Jill and others cavort in the imagination. The night's theme was 'Celebrating Black History Month' and Williams explained that she had come dressed, with the help of friends, to suit the theme. "I had to get somebody to put on my clothes, when I go home is annoda ting," she told the amused audience. Williams took her incorporation of Africa further than her clothing by ending her performance with Many Rains Ago (Ishe).
The night also honoured Lou Rawls through a tribute performance by cabaret singer Maurice Charles. Charles delighted the audience with Rawles' repertoire. He began with Groovy People and the audience's immediate response showed that they were indeed ready to get groovy.
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine brought hands into the air and a few people to their feet. "Mickey pass mi towel likkle bit mek mi loosen up likkle bit," Charles said to the evening's host Michael Cuffe. With the receipt of the towel and a removal of his sweat, Charles than revved into overdrive with Lady Love. This was to be his final piece, but the audience would have none of it.
The night had also been stretched a little beyond jazz with poetry from Jean Wilson and a performance by Bobby 'Inspector Madden' Smith.
