Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

A final salute from members of Earth, Wind and Fire, at the recently held Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, in Rose Hall, St. James. - Photo by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

It was the combination of the elements that provided an energetic and well-received performance at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, last Saturday night at the Aqueduct, Rose Hall, as Earth, Wind and Fire rocked, soothed and warmed the audience.

A world-renowned American band, Earth, Wind and Fire has created a name for itself that will live on for all time.

The group has won eight Grammy Awards (plus nominations for their most recent album, Illumination (2005), four American Music Awards, eight double platinum/Top 10 Pop albums, eight number one R&B singles, a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2000, and lifetime achievement honours from the NAACP, ASCAP and BET.

Musical inspiration

Earth, Wind & Fire has without a doubt been a musical inspiration to millions, and last Saturday proved an inspiration to fans who couldn't wait for their favourite act to come on stage.

The Gleaner caught up with the group as members discussed plans for the night before they performed.

Guitarist, Verdine White, said "Our last record was Illuminate, which got nominated for two Grammys, and tonight I think we're gonna do a lot of the hits and a lot of the new stuff too. So, you're gonna get a full plate, a great show and a lot of songs that you recognise."

First Jamaican performance

Some of the songs that patrons sang word for word while dancing along to the beat were Shining Star, Reasons, September and Boogie Wonderland, among others.

Decked out in white suits, the group was full of energy as members danced, jumped about and did some more-than-fancy tricks on-stage, proving themselves worthy of their title as musical legends.

Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2007 was the group's first performance in Jamaica, but they claimed they were adept in the music of the island. White said, "we do listen to it (reggae). We listen to a lot of everything - a little jazz, pop, everything."

As the group finished its more than hour-long set, patrons screamed for more, and Earth, Wind and Fire did one last song.

They try their best to make good music and satisfy their audience's needs and White said that's exactly how they wanted to be remembered, "as a group that played good music and had a good time and made people happy".