JazzBeat a treat

They got everything from smooth jazz to classic jazz to calypso and groovy jazz.

Hosted by the St James Community Improvement Committee (CIC), though the show got off to a late start, that was soon forgotten when Elan Parle took the stage and thoroughly entertained with their repertoire.

What was most noticeable and a pleasure to patrons was that bandleader Michael Low Chew Tung selected songs mostly from local musicians beginning with Tan Tan by Fitz Vaughan Bryan, followed by Maya Mosquito from Michael Boothman.

Though After Sunrise was an original of Sergio Mendes, it was made popular in TT by Gene Lawrence.

And the flute and pan solos were a joy to listen to, as was the drum solo at the end of Jam Up.

Also on Jazz night, WeBeat honoured Woo Ling’s Supermarket, a family-owned business of three generation spanning over 60 years. Brent Woo Ling who accepted the award on behalf of his parents thanked organisers and the St James community for the recognition. He said: “We are eternally grateful to the people of St James for their continued support spanning over seven decades. We are truly happy to be a part of this vibrant community.

We thank God for His blessings and we look forward to continue serving the people of St James and its environs.” The family received hampers from HADCO, Nestle and Coca Cola, and also a cheque.

The live entertainment restarted with Jason “Fridge” Seecharan who sang a number of classic R&B numbers that had some in the audience singing along.

Singer Moricia Cagan who was also the MC gave a lovely rendition of You Make Me Feel Brand New (The Stylistics), together with her partner Nigel O’Connor.

Pelham Goddard and Roots followed and delighted with their repertoire. Their first selection, Feel So Good (Chuck Mangione) featuring Joel Bonaparte on trumpet and Jovan Ochoa on guitar, totally mesmerised the audience.

Original Roots members Goddard on keyboard, Vonrick Maynard (drums), Bonaparte and Vernon Headley (congas), along with Dennis Smith (pan), Patrick Mc Cain (bass) and Ochoa continued with fantastic versions of Mr Magic (George Benson) and Hearts of Fire (Earth Wind & Fire), before being joined by Natalie Yorke to sing Alphie (Dionne Warwick), Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (The Platters) and My Spirit is Music (Ella Andall). They closed with a flourish with Nappy Mayers’ Old Time Days, which patrons sang and danced to, and Rise by Herb Alpert.

The Police Services Band gave a stellar performance to crown off a wonderful night of entertainment.

First, with their conventional band they performed a medley of People (Barbra Streisand) and I Feel Pretty From West Side Story, then followed with Trinita (Gue Pequeno) and Moonlight Serenade (Glenn Miller).

Then the TT PS Steelband thrilled with Bazodee (Ray Holman), Breezin’ (George Benson) and One Note Samba (Antônio Carlos Jobim).

However, the playing of current hit song I Feel It Coming (The Weeknd) had the crowd swaying in all directions, with sheer ecstasy on their faces, which did not stop with the playing of Caribbean Connection (Merchant).

Both bands then joined forces to deliver their final number, a medley of 12 Bar Joan (Kitchener) and In the Mood (Glenn Miller).

Some danced all the way out of the venue.