Big 5 thrills Queen’s Park

The show began promptly at 7 pm and maintained a good flow to the end, just under four hours later.

On entering the venue patrons were greeted with three stages, each with a band set up and ready to play.

The bands opened with the ISF Theme Song, composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, then got into their repertoire, each featuring guest performers.

First up was Republic Bank Exodus, with members dressed in black and white long sleeved dashikis and black pants. They immediately had the crowd nodding their heads in approval to their rendition of Pan in A Minor (Aldwyn Roberts). The band then soothed the audience with Air on a G String (Johann Bach) conducted by Venezuelan Jesus Acosta, and subsequently raised the tempo with Bailamos (Enrique Iglesias).

This was followed by lovely versions of Jordu (Irving Duke Jordan) and Flying Home (Benny Goodman), featuring a brass section and Pelham Goddard on keyboard.

Vocalist Natalie Yorke then joined the ensemble for Calypso Rising, earning her a lusty round of applause. This paved the way for classical singer Eddie Cumberbatch, who did a rendition of Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma, accompanied by the Lydians Singers.

Members of the audience stood in appreciation of the performance.

The band closed with The Ganges and the Nile.

Members of Phase II in partnership with Hadco were dressed in patterned shirts and black trousers and opened with the theme song.

This was followed by Close to You (Maxi Priest) and Sonita (MultiSymptom), before young Antonio Waithe joined the band to render You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban).

Unfortunately there were technical difficulties during the performance of featured act, 3canal. However, the band’s finale of Umbayao (Merchant) and a Sparrow medley Wood in the Fire and Drunk and Disorderly lifted the spirits of the crowd.

BP Renegades was up next.

Dressed in black shirts, patterned on one side and black trousers, the band started with Maria Maria (Carlos Santana), followed by Be Strong (Barrington Levy) before the talented Arielle Cowie gave arguably the best feature performance of the night. Her powerful delivery of Jennifer Hudson’s And I’m Telling You recieved thunderous applause and a standing ovation.The presence of the band’s late arranger, Dr Jit Samaroo was certainly felt during its Tribute to Dr Jit, featuring extracts from its nine winning Panorama pieces.

Desperadoes players, dressed in black with their moniker on their left pockets, opened with a fanfare and Don’t Make Me Wait Too Long (Barry White) before giving the audience versions of Autumn Leaves (Nat King Cole), Bound to Dance (Joey Lewis) and Night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie).

Despite problems with the sound system, the band rose to give perfect accompaniment to Karene Asche, who sang her own Every Knee Shall Bow. The band went on to do Different Me (5Star Akil), segued to The Can Can – from The Orpheus before returning to Different Me, Panorama style. To the surprise of all present, David Rudder accompanied by Pelham Goddard on keyboard entertained with 10,000 Flowers Bloom, and got the crowd to sing the refrain with him. As he ended, the crowd would not let him leave the stage. He obliged with a verse and chorus of Dus In Dey Face.

Looking smart, Massy Trinidad All Stars gave the audience Sunrise (Perry Como) and Oye Mi Canto (NORE). After a lull, the band struck up with Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna (Franz von Suppe), and ws joined on stage by Jerry Jemmott. Frontline pannist Dane Gulstan took to the stage for Shape of You (Ed Sheeran), and along with featured saxophonist Arturo Tappin, they thrilled the crowd. The party got started with the band’s rendition of Full Extreme (MX Prime & the Ultimate Rejects) and All Stars’ trademark siren going up.

But All Stars was not yet finished, and gave a lagniappe -- Woman on the Bass (Owen Reyes Johnson) and Curry Tabanca (Robert Elias) to close the show.