Michael Reckord, Contributor
Sabrina Williams gets closer to the audience at 'O Jazz and More', held on the west lawn, Jamaica House, on Sunday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
'O JAZZ and More', held on Jamaica House's west lawn on Sunday, was a delightful show, but as 9:30 p.m. approached, some patrons headed for the exit, while Tony Gregory was singing his heart out.
Halfway through his four-song set, the trickle grew to a stream. Still, Gregory continued to give his best. And his best was very good, as he delivered soulful versions of Tonight You're Mine Completely and When I Fall in Love.
"Dance on your way out," he diplomatically urged the early leavers. Later, he advised "This will be my last song," suggesting that they wait just three-and-a-half minutes more.
DISTRAUGHT GREGORY
Unfortunately, not only did the stream became a swollen river, but members of the Optimist Club of Long Mountain, the sponsors of the event, began stacking up the chairs, this while the Desi Jones and Friends Band was playing and Gregory was singing. It was like a host taking away your unfinished dinner and turning off the lights before dessert.
Gregory ended My Gypsy Girl beautifully, then snapped angrily "Oonu can go home now! Good night!" and stormed off the stage.
The MC, Michael Anthony Cuffe, suave and smooth-voiced as ever, came on stage to thank the performers and the audience, but few heard him.
LIVELIER EVENING
The early notes of the concert were sweet, however. A relative newcomer, Cleveland Cathnott, backed by three female singers (Jackie Harding, Betty Sparkes and Keturah Cathnott), started off the show with style. The soloist's first couple of numbers were easy and he pleased his listeners. His final number, the sophisticated, challenging Ordinary People, tested his timing and emotional delivery. The applause he received indicated that he did well.
With Mona Lisa, Duke Ellington's In a Sentimental Mood and Small's own Kas Kas, Seretse Small and the True Democrats showed versatility of mood, pace and energy.
Cuffe introduced Sabrina Williams as an 'adventurous' singer who "likes to try new things." She was that and more. Big-voiced, self-confident, relaxed and friendly, she charmed the audience with her patter and energetic renditions of I Was Walking Along, You Make Me Feel So Young, Sister, and finally, the Click Song, which Miriam Makeba made famous decades ago.
During the break, in which the audience consumed pork, chicken, fish and liquor, it was announced that the proceeds of the concert were going to the Centre for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Services.
Diamara Neil, a young woman who sings much better than she speaks, delivered Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin numbers to strong drumming by Jones on his trap set. Then Dwight Richards entertained vocally, with his horn and even with a bit of dancing. What won the audience's hearts though, was his venturing into the audience and serenading a pretty young woman named Jenelle with a fragment of You Send Me. Other numbers included They Say That Once a Tear Has Fallen, Father, Father and Nobody Loves Me.
The versatile Keisha Patterson, who came to public attention singing in musicals, told the audience that she likes jazz because it evokes for her "an age of innocence". Her four songs, ending with Marley's Jammin', showed both her playful and smooth, romantic sides.
Then Gregory came on and pleased those who stayed.
