From left: Andrez Lopez on keyboard, Alvis Reid on bass, Jeremy Ashbourne on drums and Gerd Beyens on guitar at RedBones Blues Café's Jazz Grooves, held at Braemar Avenue on Friday night. - WINSTON SILL / FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
IF THE 'Reggae Babies' had had a second half against England in their football match on Saturday like the musicians had in the concert at RedBones on Friday night, they would have been a relieved bunch.
There was practically no play of the drum, keyboard and bass kind after the break at the Braemar Avenue, New Kingston, blues café, as a sprinkling of rain sent first those seated in the courtyard and then the four musicians on stage, Gerd Beyens on guitar, Andrez Lopez on keyboard, Alvis Reid on bass and Jeremy Ashbourne on drums, scurrying for cover, the equipment taking priority over personal shelter.
RELIEF FOR THE 'REGGAE BABIES'
While the loss of the second half in what turned out to be a domino style six-love rout would have been a relief for the 'Reggae Babies', the loss of the concert's second segment was a blessing to none, as the sole song the quartet played after the relaxed break indicated that they were winding up to something very good. With the guitarist standing and the other three musicians seated, 'bassie' anchored between drummer and keyboard player, they were off to an uptempo start a few minutes after 11:00 p.m.
Quick fingerwork from guitarist Beyens changed to a strum as the tempo changed, the Lopez's fingers dancing in an extended solo which delighted the bass player, who smiled as his neck extended and retracted rhythmically. The keyboard faded and faded, drum and bass gradually taking prominence with the latter the stronger of the two after a restrained flurry from the Ashbourne.
Then even as they played, the rain sent those seated in the open hurrying for shade, the musicians following suit with their equipment. The sprinkle became a genuine shower as the wind picked up, the shaking of the tree over the RedBones stage indicating just how strong the wind was and The Gleaner braved the elements at the end of a night that could have been.
