Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

With synchronised precision, soul music hit makers, Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics wowed the hearts of jazz fans on the final night of the 10th Annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay on Saturday.

Deft dance moves from a group known for some of the most infectious songs of the 1970s and perhaps the smoothest falsetto lead vocalist in Russell Thompkins Jr. performed to worshipping women and seemingly stunned men.

Taking the wind out of the much-touted Earth, Wind and Fire, the new Stylistics almost poured water on any apparent flames from their counterparts.

UNPARALLELED SHOWMANSHIP

Succeeding incredibly in weaving a chorus out of the entire venue of diverse nationalities, the double-platinum, Grammy-nominated high-voltage group delivered unparalleled showmanship with hits You Are Everything, Children of the Night, and You Make Me Feel Brand New, taking home the top performance award from the satisfied audience.

Even those who could only croak their notes were compelled to repeat the words to You'll Never Get To Heaven, Betcha by Golly Wow and Hurry Up This Way Again.

Coming a close second to that magnificent performance, Earth, Wind and Fire took some time to rouse the audience.

Electrically wound up with funk, rock, jazz and rhythm and blues fusions, it took this group much too long to win the audience, but when they succeeded, they mesmerised with hit songs Shining Star, Serpentine Fire, and Let's Groove.

Saturday night's show was opened by Juan Areco, followed by Jamaica's Monty Alexander who took the audience through a musical journey flavoured with songs from the repertoire of reggae legend Bob Marley, icons Frank Sinatra and jazz great Nat King Cole.

Alexander called on Freddie Cole, brother of Nat 'King' Cole for the thrilling Unforgettable and Tony Rebel for a taste of Fresh Vegetable.

Highlighting the event were the 10th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented to two of the people who bought into the idea of staging the event: Sandals Resorts International's Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and Rose Hall Development's Michele Rollins.

Stewart, who was instrumental in getting Air Jamaica involved in the festival 10 years ago, lauded the organiser, Walter Elmore, for his tenacity, tagging the event "first class in a First-World country".

At 4:00 a.m. on Sunday when the show ended, Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2007 had done its best to deliver on its promise, of having patrons lose themselves in the art of music.