LEFT: 'Surfer' band From The Deep, during their performance on the Ocean Spray Stage at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Rosehall, Montego Bay, on Saturday, January 27. SECOND LEFT: Kamau. THIRD LEFT: Danah Cameron. RIGHT: Katie Iver - Photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Ocean's Spray Small lived up to expectations at the recently concluded Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Rose Hall.

The newcomers did not disappoint. Danah Cameron was up first. A former back-up singer, Danah proved that her vocals could lead any day.

Cameron made her mark in gospel music delivering back-up for Chevelle Franklin and Judy Mowatt.

Joel Bain came up next with a jazzy feel; though the venue wasn't near packed the persons who were there drew near to hear.

He proclaimed before moving into his next song that "it's difficult to capture emotions, this is my attempt to."

Longing For was full of yearning and his voice very soothing. Joel describes his music as " ranging between rock and alternative for a more mellow contemporary sound."

The group 'From the Deep', which has three brothers as band members, was originally set to perform on the main stage but graced the small stage with a lively performance.

They had the crowd chuckling with a humorous song declaring "daddy don't want a Rasta man in his family. I'm a rude boy, she a good girl".

This was not the band's first at Jazz and Blues and with their talent and looks, they are destined to reach far.

Reggae act Kamau took over during the next break; by this time more persons had gathered around the stage to see the new talents. Kamau did some original tracks such as Don't Wanna See You Cry from his album Sight Up. As he exited the stage the patrons shouted "we want more". Kamau came back and sang a Bob Marley classic, Redemption Song, as the patrons sang along with him.

Musical wellness

The emcee emphasised that on the Ocean Spray stage, "musical wellness is always encouraged", as they are giving new, usually conscious, artistes a chance to shine. The night was all about diversity, as from gospel to jazzish rock, reggae and now to dancehall flair with Keith 'Rough House' Powell Jr. Rough House is already a hit in Germany, having won three awards at the German Reggae Awards. He sang Echoes In the Night as well as other songs.

Probably one of the most attention-grabbing artiste of the night was Katie Iver. For five years Katie has performed as part of the Black Zebra Band but will showcase her solo talents this year. Katie drew one of the largest crowds on Saturday night as she did some energetic cover songs such as Tina Turner's Rolling as well as Superstition.

The final act on the Ocean Spray stage for the weekend was Black Zebra. No stranger to Jazz and Blues, Black Zebra had the crowd rocking in no time with their reggae beat. One couple closely slow danced as they slowed down the tempo with some classic soul, I Wanna Fall In Love. One female patron told The Gleaner, "this act is my favourite from night."

As Jazz and Blues closed with an after party for the small stage, the Ocean Spray was without a doubt a hit.