Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Left: Patricia Edwards of the group Ebony and her son, Jason 'Sir J' Gilpin, doing 'From This Moment' at the Ebony Reunion concert at the Hilton Kingston on Sunday.   Right: These two patrons could not help grooving to the sounds of Ebony. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Lights out! Special effects lights on. Fog machine up as the spotlight searched all over the fabulously decorated set of the Hilton Kingston ballroom.

On the eve of National Heroes Day, the sound of a cappella pealed back stage accompanying the dramatic opening of the show 'Ebony Reunion', while an anxious audience waited feverishly to hear, see and feel the voices of Jamaica's most gifted female trio, Ebony.

Reunited after a six-year hiatus - the husky jazz-inspired voice of Connie Edwards, the glitzy diva Claudette Miller-Robinson and soul-stirring Patricia Carty-Edwards, completing the name inspired by the dark wood tree ebony, the trio energised and sparkled in black and gold.

In six years they seem not to have aged much, but have mellowed beautifully. They are sexier, have higher energy and are certainly more fun on stage.

Sunday night the group entered the stage with sparks ready to ignite, amid a burning desire to please, as they belted, danced and performed the lyrics to I Am So Excited, and Ain't No Stopping Us Now.

When they crooned NeutronDance and Disco Inferno they sizzled. Ebony had not only reunited, they were sending a clear message that they had returned to stake their claim on the musical landscape.

Dream come true

Complemented by the Kingston, based group 'Dance Expressionz' their first set was a choreographer's dream come true.

The first friend on stage was Georgia Henry, glittering from her eyelids to the tip of her shoes, and the songstress did not disappoint.

Her exit gave way to the multi-award winning singer Gem Myers who rarely needs to move a muscle in order to captivate her audience.

The suave, smooth-singing male quartet Soul 4 Soul changed the pace of the event from romance to disco then strictly reggae with Shaggy's Strength of a Woman - their electrifying performance was powerful.

Individual glory

Guest performers gone, it was time to see the trio in their individual glory as they mesmerised and titillated the audience that cheered in awe.

And when Patricia Edwards did the lyrics to Neither One Of Us Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye the audience was compelled to give her a well-deserved standing ovation.

Karen Smith's appearance received a resounding applause. Smith opened with Fever. Her flames engulfed all as she unleashed her musical talent.

She was ably accompanied by master saxophonist Dean Fraser.

Next was the performer described by MC Norma Brown Bell as a crowd-pleaser and showstopper - A'Lisa, with a voice reminiscent of Miriam Makeba.

Her rich tempo called her African ancestors from the hills and mountains, while those in the audience watched in awe, amazed by her talent.

And just when the audience thought the show was about to end, the talented young, gifted and black 'Sir J', son of Patricia Edwards, graced the stage and gave a soul-stirring duet with mom.

A short and spicy performance by Marcia Griffiths, who called godfather Bob Andy onstage and the classic Benjy Myaz, cemented what will be dubbed for years as a 'rare treat'.