André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Ebony members Patricia Carty-Edwards (left), Claudette Miller-Robinson (centre) and Connie Edwards in rehearsal for their comeback concert on Sunday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Tickle the ivories, because Ebony is back.

After a six-year hiatus, Claudette Miller-Robinson, Patricia Carty-Edwards and Connie Edwards have decided to reunite.

Come Sunday, October 15, the group that once ruled cabaret in Jamaica will perform at their comeback concert, Back Together Again. They feel they have a lot more in the tank and are seeking the longevity they know they are capable of.

"We know we owe it to our fans because they have been asking. We are trying to accomplish the mission that was not accomplished when we broke up," they said.

According to Miller-Robinson, their harmonies were unlike any other, and that separated them from the pack.

When major international acts performed in Jamaica Ebony was almost always the opening act. They have opened for James Ingram, Regina Bell and Gladys Knight, among others. Now Ebony is now trying to regain the position they once held. And it is not business as usual, as Ebony will be seeking to get their faithful audience and new listeners acquainted with their new single, Reunited.

New opportunity

Ebony was formed in 1982, but their voices still blend like cookies and cream. The splitting up of the group gave each of them the opportunity to venture out and evaluate their careers. That proved successful and they say they are overjoyed with the reunion. "It's an overwhelming feeling, because we are ready to work. We are picking up where and left off and we have a new attitude. We learned a lot of things in that time," Miller-Robinson said.

According to her, Ebony set the standards for cabaret for over two decades with their strong leads and stylish costumes. While they did not have any hits, they remained a household name among Jamaicans. "We split because recording weren't going anywhere. We had to evaluate where were going. We are back to cross the t's and dot the i's," Miller-Robinson said.

And Ebony is starting to do just that. Before the rehearsal session The Gleaner attended commenced, Carty-Edwards gave the musicians tips on how to make the songs sound as best as they could.

This time, it's all about getting it right. "It doesn't matter how good a voice is or how well you sound, you have to have to the right attitude and know what you are about," Miller-Robinson said.

- Claudette Miller-Robinson